Little Mermaid Tour?

[phantomcrazy14]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 10:52am

Ummm what happened to the tour? I was unable to see it and I've been waiting for tour info. for a while. Is it still going to happen?

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 10:56am

I doubt it's still happening. It's been closed for almost a year now and if it isn't on any touring schedules for this season, it most likely won't be. The only way I can see it happening is if they're attempting to re-work the design and direction. But the hype (which there obviously wasn't much of) has pretty much died down by now.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 10:57am

Not sure. But you're really not missing much; the production was awful! As someone who grew up loving the movie, I was disappointed by the musical.

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:25am

The last I heard, they were doing some major re-working for the tour, so I'm guessing that is to blame for the delay.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:31am

You're really lucky that you DIDN'T see it. I was really disappointed by the whole production.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:46am

Yeah, don't bother.

The show is abominable and pathetic.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:49am

Updated On: 6/19/10 at 11:49 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:49am

Contrary to the other posters, I really enjoyed myself and saw it more times than I should have (hint: it was somewhere between 5 and 7 times). The design work was hideous and Zambello's direction was a train wreck. But I left with a huge smile on my face afterwards.

If there is actual work being done for a potential tour and it ends up happening, see it. It's no SOUTH PACIFIC, but it was an enjoyable evening. For me, anyway.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 5:00pm

^^^ME TOO!^^^

It's flaws were very obvious (awful direction and it's still a story about a horny teenager who risks her life, her father's life, and makes a "deal with the devil" in the hopes that some hot dude she met for 5 seconds will want to bone her), BUT...

The music was great, even the new material. The cast was phenomenal. I didn't hate the design as much as I thought I was going to from reading people's reviews. It was odd and probably ill-advised, but I wouldn't call it hideous (except for scuttle's costume).

It was fluff, but it never pretended that it wasn't.

Honestly...I enjoyed it A LOT more than Spring Awakening.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 5:36pm

The only way I'm seeing this show again is if they put a p*nis hidden in the castle, like the did in the movie.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:03pm

It was not a good show for many reasons. #1 Carlotta and the maids were dressed like chickens; #2 Flounder only wore a yellow t-shirt and shorts; #3 Ursula had the most anticlimatic death imaginable; #4 The story changed a little too much from the movie; #5 The sets could have been a little better; #6 Francesca Zambello couldn't direct her way out of a bag.

It was a bad replacement for "Beauty and the Beast." Disney Theatrical already lost a ton of money from "Tarzan," which never had a national tour either so maybe they can't afford the money a REVAMPED tour of this show either.

Dreamworks already had plans for "Shrek the Musical" to tour and they don't have any other shows as of the moment to focus on right now like Disney Theatrical does like with "The Lion king" and "Mary Poppins.'
Updated On: 7/20/10 at 06:03 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:28pm

It was not the best show I have seen but it was an enjoyable evening at the theater.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 9:47pm

Wanted to add one more thing. I agree with Radioactiveduck (partially). I thought the score and cast were the best things about the show.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:13pm

Let me echo a few of the other posters here and say that the show was very flawed from a design and directorial standpoint. However, I thought the acting, book and especially the music made it a worthwhile evening. Some of Menken's new songs are real gems, like "I Want the Good Times Back," "She's In Love" and most especially "If Only," which stands up proudly next to any song from the film.

Were the show to tour I would definitely see it...but I would hope that they do some major tinkering to the sets, costumes and hire a new director before they premiered it.

[imdreamingbig]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:38pm

I know I'm in the minority here, but I want this show to tour so badly.
I didn't see it myself but I have friends who did. They all echo the sentiment that the set/directing/the fact that they were on HEELYS was weak. But personally, I'm a real fan of the cast recording and I think that it could be a success on tour if changes were made. Disney and MTI were piloting a Little Mermaid Jr. a month or 2 a go with a couple of companies, so who knows where the show is going...

[CandiceElyse]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 11:45pm

I hope it does tour. I thought it was fantastic. I grew up worshiping the movie and I was extremely satisfied with the production despite its flaws. The music is absolutely wonderful and the aspects of the sets and costumes that worked were amazing. (admittedly NOT everything). I loved the mermaid costumes, I thought they were really cool and looked and moved just like a fish tail. Ursula's costume was crazy, I loved it. I thought the lighting and holographic sets created a great underwater atmosphere and the ship at the opening of the show was amazing. everything else (erics castle, etc) was unremarkable, but nothing that should keep you from going to see the tour if it happens! one thing i cant imagine is not seeing Norm Lewis as Triton. he was the heart and soul of the show for me. it will be sad to see someone else in that role.

[camncal]

Posted: 6/23/10 at 4:48pm

i also enjoyed the show despite its obviously flows. the only thing the blame is the director. she is absolutely horrible and butchered the potential of a great long lasting show to a property that people WANT to love. i think the costumes are ok, except for flounder. I just didn't like the sets. they look like little girl's toys supersized and it's so distracting and cheap looking. I also agreed with Ursula's death, what the hell was that? didn't they plan on her flying up like they did with Wicked? If Only....it had landed in the hands of a better director.

[CandiceElyse]

Posted: 7/16/10 at 11:53pm

just saw on twitter someone is claiming Annaleigh Ashford and Aaron Tveit will be Ariel/Eric in the tour. Im sure its not true, but the complete randomness of it makes you wonder haha. I dunno about Aaron as Eric but I would love to see Annaleigh as Ariel, shes such a little princess herself haha.

[BroadwayBound17]

Posted: 7/17/10 at 12:49am

A friend of my friend who works for Disney Theatricals says that the tour is still on, yet they are trying to get the set design right. I hear it will open during the 2011-2012 season.

The website is still up for the Tour. No longer says Fall 2010, just says "check back here for information about the launch of the National Tour!" sign up for updates

Annaleigh as Ariel, FTW.

The Little Mermaid North American Tour Site

Updated On: 7/17/10 at 12:49 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/17/10 at 12:52am

Thank god they are changing the set. The original set looked like shower curtains and tuber-ware in a blender. If only they would make some changes to the story and add Vanessa's character to the story.

[BroadwayBound17]

Posted: 7/17/10 at 12:55am

They need to do work on the show, it has the potential to be amazing. And when I say work, I don't mean "work" as in if we were speaking about the work they made on Shrek. just sayin'

Updated On: 7/17/10 at 12:55 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/17/10 at 12:58am

It does have the potential to be amazing and still can be if Disney works on it and makes some much needed changes!

[BroadwayBound17]

Posted: 7/17/10 at 1:00am

I think it will do fantastic on tour, despite the hype has been down, it is after all Disney, it will sell. I recall it selling out the entire 6 week run in Denver too.

Updated On: 7/17/10 at 01:00 AM

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 7/17/10 at 1:32am

"after all Disney, it will sell"

Really?! It didn't sell in New York. It would be bad business to decide to launch it now, at least without a serious overhaul of the entire thing.

[BroadwayBound17]

Posted: 7/17/10 at 3:30am

sometimes shows are more of a commercial success on the road and at other venues.

9 to 5 sold out their LA run.
Shrek sold out their Seattle run.
Cry Baby sold very well in San Diego.
Legally Blonde has recouped on tour.