THE LITTLE MERMAID Reviews- Page 9

[misschung]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:04pm

really? I didn't think so at all. Butchering seems a little harsh.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:07pm

She shouldn't belt the end. It's not supposed to sound so harsh like that. I'm sorry, but I love that song...and I just can't make myself listen to her sing it again.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:16pm

I agree, I think the word butchering is way too harsh. She's not the composer and arranger or music director. They are the ones who decide the performance dynamics of a piece of music. She's probably doing what she was directed to do.

Updated On: 1/11/08 at 03:16 PM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:19pm

I know. I prefaced my comment by saying it seems like she has talent. But her performance of that song, whether she was directed to do it like that or not, is unlistenable to me. It might not be her fault, but it's how I feel nonetheless.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:26pm

Regardless of these harsh reviews,I'm still excited to see the show. I think that the critics probably feel the same way about Disney as a lot of people on this board feel, and may have had a negative viewpoint going into the show! The show will do great regardless of these over the top reviews. Your average theatergoer is doesnt go read reviews before it goes to see a show.
Most people that have gone to see the show have had mostly positive things to say........ and I trust an everyday persons review more than a critics , who's job it is to pick the show apart and find the negative points.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:29pm

"who's job it is to pick the show apart and find the negative points."

That is 100% not true. There job is to review the show. If it's good, they'll say so. Go read the reviews for AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:31pm

They had hardley anthing positive in the reviews... and I find it extremly hard to belive that the show is that bad!!!! I sincerly doubt that with the cast that they have.

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:36pm

I love Sierra's version of Part of Your World - and I love where she belts it. It's like the part of the song where you should go big.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:52pm

I'd actually like to change what I said about her performance of "Part of Your World." Most of the song sounds great, it's just the end that made me squirm and I feel is butchered.

Updated On: 1/11/08 at 03:52 PM

[BroadwayBound86]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:53pm

I think that the critics probably feel the same way about Disney as a lot of people on this board feel, and may have had a negative viewpoint going into the show!

So do you think the critics aren't doing their job properly then? They are supose to go in without an opinion already formed. To blame it on the bad word of mouth already in circulation is unfair. If the show was good they would have reviewed it that way reguardless of the fact that it's Disney.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:58pm

Is there ever a Disney musical production on Broadway that the critics raved?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 3:58pm

Jonny boy, you really have no concept of how things work, do you?

It is the job of the critic to review the show. There are plenty of shows which get overwhelmingly positive reviews (Osage County, The Producers, Spring Awakening) and plenty more which get overwhelmingly negative reviews (Wedding Singer, Pirate Queen, etc.).

As someone already said, check out the reviews for Osage County to see what happens when nearly every critic enjoys a show.

In their reviews, the critics don't feel any way about Disney. If they produce a good show, they like it. If they don't, they don't.

And yes, the average theatergoers, late-in-live retirees, do read reviews.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:15pm

Johnny Boy .. .you are being incredibly naive. First, critics like some shows, don't like others. And its rare that the critics even agree with each other. In this case, its pretty much across the boards pans. But they certainly just don't pick apart shows just to find the negative. Secondly, there are plenty of non-New Yorkers, non-regular theatre goers who read reviews. And thirdly, there are plenty of everyday folk taking their kids to see LM and are not liking it. I know people who rarely go to the theatre, but went to see LM because of what it is ... and their reaction was that the movie is so much better and the show wasn't worth the price of admission. Of course there are going to be people who adore LM, but that doesn't make it a good show.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:35pm

"They had hardley anthing positive in the reviews... and I find it extremly hard to belive that the show is that bad!!!! I sincerly doubt that with the cast that they have."

They have given their opinion and thats that.They haven't trashed the show to be mean, its because they have seen a lousy show.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:46pm

"Is there ever a Disney musical production on Broadway that the critics raved?"

Yes.

The Lion King.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:47pm

"Jonny boy, you really have no concept of how things work, do you? "

They have ripped apart plenty of other shows that I have really enjoyed.

I'm glad your so informed Yankeefan007God I wish I was informed as you *barf*!!!! You have your opinion ,and I have mine. don't tell me I have no concept of how things work! I am basing my opinion on my experience with theater critics and how they have reviewed shows in the past!
I'm sure that there are many more people who enjoy the show that dislike it!

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:50pm

Johnny Boy, just because you like a show, and the critics didnt - does not make you RIGHT.

It's all an opinion. And sometimes the critics hold the popular opinion.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:54pm

These reviews are not helping my already losing interest in the show. The press clips did not turn me on (in fact, they turned me way way off, purley from a design/staging/choreography standpoint) and now, I think I can safely say I won't be seeing the show.

I do think it's a shame that Boggess and Scott are not getting better notices. From the clips, they seem to perform admirably with their material.

and for those that think Boggess "butchers" Part of Your World, I must disagree. I think the stakes at that point in the song are very high, her desire to be grounded, on dry land, is highly intense and personal, and therefore, a throaty, earthly (keyword being earthly) belt is a HIGHLY appropriate choice.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 5:01pm

I saw the show 3 weeks ago and I thought it was much better than Tarzan. On the same token though, it reminded me of cotton candy. It was ok, but didn't leave much of an impression (though I liked both Sierra Boggess and Sheri Rene Scott performances).

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 5:02pm

"Johnny Boy, just because you like a show, and the critics didnt - does not make you RIGHT. "

Exactly my point!!! Its an opinion ,Critics are extremly critical.... thats thier job. It doesn't make them right.Your average theatergoer is not going to be near as critical about sets and costumes as the critics are.I think the show is going to do great!

[misschung]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 5:05pm

Honestly, I think that people who base their decision on whether or not to see a show solely from something like the Times review are a bit naive anyway. Plenty of people will see this show, and enjoy it. I know I did, and I went in with a very skeptical bias. Even my mom loved it, and she generally doesn't like musical theater at all. So, to each their own.

Critics aren't without their own biases either, you know.

Updated On: 1/11/08 at 05:05 PM

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 5:07pm

Thank You misschung=-)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 5:11pm

But there's a difference between saying "I don't care what the critics think" and "(all critics are good for) is finding the negative points."

[roadmixer]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 5:12pm

I find it fascinating how everyone is rallying around the critics. I have followed the chat boards since the show went into production in Denver and I have to say that 'chatters' and 'bloggers' have mostly been DYING to crap all over this show. What makes critics any different? I would imagine that many people who post here fancy themselves 'critics'... Are you beyond having a predisposition to not liking Disney or not liking Mermaid? Why do people seem almost cheery to post 9 pages here agreeing with the critics? Is it a good thing if ANY show doesn't do well? Don't we (as theatre lovers) want shows to do well?

Someone said that people are naive to think that critics are anything but completely objective almost angelic figures who are nothing but the arbiters of good theatre taste. Would you feel the same way if Mermaid was your show?

Do critics really represent the general public, the people who buy PS3 boxes, go to wrestling, watch crappy action movies...? I don't think so. Critics continue to judge all commercial theatre as if it is attempting to be high art. I understand wanting to hold musicals to a higher bar but when critics dislike shows like Mamma Mia! (a world juggernaut) are they representative of the masses? NO.

Incidentally, the Washington Post didn't like the Mermaid film any better than the musical. Is it surprising that they didn't like a musical of the film? No.

Updated On: 1/11/08 at 05:12 PM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 5:14pm

I adore the film. Which is why I wanted Disney to hit this one out of the park.