the person who is actually playing ursula isn't even on there... one of the ariel's is right...no cheyenne jackson
My friend's agent told her they weren't looking at anyone in particular for Ariel yet, that they are having an equity casting call, and that they are even thinking of having a non-equity casting call if they can't find the perfect girl. Also, Ariel could be played by someone as young as 14 years old!! I am not sure exactly how reliable this info is... but it did come from an agent...
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
What about Sara Ramirez as Ursula?
jaesdare obviously knows something.
I'm guessing Ariel is either between Kerry or Tina. I could be wrong though.
Yeah, hi, I love Lea Salonga. But she is so not Ariel.
How about Patti as Ursula? She'd be great on Poor Unfortunate Souls, and can be quite scary
Jose would be really cute as Eric.
I second Patti, she's utterly terrifying. In a good way.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/06
Ursula has to be Frenchie or Harvey. They both are perfect.
I vote for Lea Salonga for Ariel.
Who is Austin Miller?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/06
Eden Espinosa could be Ariel.
Harvey as Ursula!!
Understudy Joined: 12/29/05
I think Jose Llana would be a good Eric. Also Harvey as Ursula would be amazing
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/06
I think Harvey Fierstein would be a great Ursala.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/06
If Harvey was Ursula, I would see the show 100 times.
Frenchie would be great as Ursula, if she could act, sadly, that's (atleast from the 6 or seven times I've seen her on stage) not been the case.
do not judge on names...ashley is mary poppins and she is NOT a big name. who knows what they will do with the casting....it will be a suprise knowing disney. if anything ursela will be a bigger named person.
"I doubt that casting an already established theatre star in the title role would change box office sales if the supporting cast is stellar enough. Besides, it'd be nice to see someone who may actually look 16 to play the part."
The only one of those three names mentioned who could even be called an "established theatre star" is Lea Salonga, and even that's questionable.
Of those three women, the only one who is near age appropriate is Tina Maddigan.

Karen Black as Ursula, please.
Hasn't Pat Carroll, the original voice of Ursula in the movie, already been cast as the voice of the Ursula on stage? Am I wrong in remembering that they've announced that Ursula will be a puppet?
Having seen Kaitlin Hopkins do "Poor Unfortunate Souls" on the tour of ON THE RECORD, I would love to see her do it...
some others I have thought of:
Terry Burrell
Orfeh
Ruth Williamson
Alix Corey
For Eric, it should be someone HEARTY in an acting sense - not just a pretty boy.
I think Matt Cavenaugh would actually be good in this role. He's grounded enough, but still has the pretty boy thing going for him.
I'm voting for Kerry to be Ariel. I really don't think casting a 35 year old Ariel would be a problem. If I recall, I remember Disney casting a 37 year old Belle (Andrea McArdle) I don't think anyone complained about that
i don't really see a problem with cheyenne being cast as prince eric. he has a stunning voice and great personality when on stage (all shook up). it says on wikipedia that kerry butler "is widely considered to be a front-runner to be cast in the upcoming Broadway production of Disney's The Little Mermaid because of her part in the workshops done for the show, which will premiere Off-Broadway in Denver and then move to Broadway sometime in 2007 or 2008" (a direct quote).
Patti would be a perfect Ursula, however I doubt she would ever perform in a Disney musical. Just seems like something she is above to me.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
Susan Egan as Ursula? Um...no.
Videos