My Thoughts on THE LITTLE MERMAID (Long) — Page 3

Sherie's "Poor Unfortunate Souls" money note is a high D.

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Nothing happens during "Sweet Child." That's one of the easiest cut songs...along with "Les Poissons."

"Tituss Burgess is an atrocious Sebastian"

I'm glad someone finally said it.

To me he came off like a later day Caribbean Stepin Fetchit.

Get rid of the accent, give him a kerchief and he can play Mammy in Trevor Nunn's Gone with the Wind.

Just embarrassing.

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Updated On: 1/2/08 at 02:47 AM

Send him over one block and let him standby in THE SEAFARER.

That accent is Irish, and he plays it like he's 85 years old on the brink of death.

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Well Jamaican Patois does sound a bit like the Irish accent, but I know what you mean. He seemed tired.

I have to say that my only qualms about the production were a) Flounder's costume and b) certain orchestrations. I didn't think Fathoms Below or even Under the Sea were as powerful as they could have been. In the original recording, Fathoms Below has that great horn instrumental in the beginning that gives you chills - I didn't really feel that in this show.

Also, did anyone else miss the dog?

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Titus unfortunately keeps getting roles that dangerously border on minstrel show portrayals. He played the flaming cowardly lion in the Wiz revival at La Jolla ....

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Well it may be that he keeps PLAYING them like he is in a minstrel show.

I know my earlier post was harsh. But his performance was so disgraceful. The character in the film has such dignity, intelligence and heart.

Now he just another shuffle along darkie... I'm not kidding I actually saw him shuffle!

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That's what I'm saying - people adored him in Jersey Boys. I was really surprised that he couldn't keep up with the tempo.

I did, however, like his crab walk.

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I have no doubt he's a fine performer. Strong in Jersey Boys, was the only one who wasn't bland in Good Vibrations.

He was just wrong for Sebastian.

"I saw him give a really moving performance in Songs for a New World - his "King of the World" was FANTASTIC"

Do you know if there is a recording of that??

I think we all agree that Titus is a fine, fine performer but he needs a strong director that will "pull back" his performance...

To comment back at those who said Linda Woolverton should be called to be the script doctor...HELLO? You obviously have not seen Lestat...her book was a disaster.

Despite the critical drubbing that Mermaid will likely get, it will still be a HUGE commercial hit. Kids (especially little girls) will want to see the show and parents will take them to see it.

As for Zambello, she will see the box office receipts as vindication and will be able to bring LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE to Broadway. I can already envision her "concept" for the show- a neo-Brechtian cross between PAINT YOUR WAGON and CITY OF MAHAGONNY.

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