The Little Mermaid (5-7-08 2pm)

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 12:23am

One of my coworkers told me that she was going to see The Little Mermaid with her Mommy and Me group and she had an extra ticket. Did I want to come? Since I did want to see the show and it was a discounted group rate I said sure. Spoilers ahead.

I wanted to love this show. I've always found the movie to be one of Disney's best, I work for Disney (until mid-June), and it seemed like something I'd enjoy. And I didn't have a completely unenjoyable afternoon but I was let down. It was more or less very expensive children's theatre.

First off I felt the plot was very dumbed down. It's a children's movie and the plot is completely suitable for children. There's no need to make it simpler. I felt as if I were being spoken down to throughout the show. The added plot with Triton and Ursula being brother and sister seemed unneeded to me. Also, explaining that Ariel's mother was killed by humans seemed almost cruel. I'm sure that part went over the heads of many of the younger children but I think it was better left unsaid.

The sets, costumes, and lighting were simply amazing. For me these elements were the best part of the show. A lot of care and detail went into these and they constantly captured my attention.

The songs from the film are amazing and there is no arguing that. The new songs are, well, good. But when I walked out of the theatre it was the old songs that were buzzing through my head - not the new ones. But it was two of the new numbers that I felt were the best staged out of the whole show. I truly enjoyed Positoovity because it was a classic tap dance number which is something that has been abandoned by Broadway in recent years. To me a spirited tap dance (especially a group dance) is quintessential Broadway. I enjoyed the choreography of One Step Closer for many of the same reasons. The classic Fred/Ginger or Marge/Gower graceful dance number has practically disappeared from Broadway. Everyone's trying to be bigger and bolder rather than graceful and lovely. As the song states dance is a way to speak without words and that number conveyed Ariel and Eric's feelings beautifully.

The ending was a bit anti-climatic for me. I know that they're unable to recreate the big battle from the film but it just seemed too easy. After a quick inner battle between living with Eric and saving her father Ariel smashes Ursula's shell - the source of her power. Where was Eric during all of this? The whole time Ariel and Ursula were talking I was looking around for him. I really felt that he should have shown up for the showdown like he had in the film. Instead he shows up after Ursula has been defeated. Triton makes a comment about Eric coming to rescue Ariel but in actuality he showed up after she saved herself.

Sierra is truly one of the best things about the show. She's so wonderful in this role. Tony worthy? I'm not so sure about that but she really brought a lot of heart and depth to Ariel. The rest of the cast backed her up well. Sherie sang wonderfully but she seemed to be making an attempt to NOT be over the top in a role that, I think, IS over the top. Sean Palmer is dashing and handsome as Eric. And what can be said about Jonathan Freeman? I've enjoyed him in everything I've ever seen him in. He's really a joy to watch.

Today was Trevor day and he was cute as Scuttle but seems to be having a little trouble with his vocals. A little wobbly and worrying for me.

Titus was great and Norm seems wasted here. Eddie was over the top as Scuttle and rightfully so while Derrick and Tyler were dastardly slimy.

I was sitting in center orchestra row A. That's right...the very first row. I would never would have chosen this seat for myself. The orchestra was literally right in front of me and I had to crane my head to see any time any member of the cast was laying down on the stage.

And if I ever come to this board and say "Hey everyone I'm a mom!" I want you ALL to message me to remind me to not take my child to a Broadway show before they're old enough to sit through it! I mean my goodness! This is something that has been discussed here in the board many times and I understand that you want to give your child a great Broadway experience but if they're too young to sit still during the show then you're wasting your money. Orchestra seats on Broadway are WAY too expensive to have your child be in and out of their seats during the whole show. The little girl next to me would NOT stay in her seat. I was kicked in the arm. Kicked in the head. Hit when she kicked her booster seat off the seat. She yelled in my ear. She yelled at the actors on stage. She kicked her shoe off by accident and HAD to find it right at that moment. I paid just as much for my seat as they had and deserved the right to enjoy the show. I didn't pay $89 to be kicked for more than two hours. I work with children all the time and I don't mind fooling around and just being childish. But there comes a time for a parent to step in. If I had behaved like this in a theatre my father would have dragged me out by my hair. This child was never even shushed. And I wanted to say something but it's such a delicate situation. The mother was from the same Mommy and Me group as my coworker so if I said something it could have made their relationship strained. And it's not my job to parent someone else's child. Okay, enough of my rant about children in the theatre. The audience was full of children and they were more or less very well-behaved. I just got lucky lol. I'm all for introducing children to theatre because it can be so rewarding. But theatre etiquette can be taught at the same time.

So, in a nutshell, the show had it's enjoyable moments but is really very expensive children's theatre.

[shh282]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 3:02am

I agree that Sierra is quite fantastic as Ariel - I'm glad you enjoyed the show to the degree you did atleast, the children were insane when I saw it. I tried to ignore them as best I could.

I really did enjoy the set it was so beautiful - especially the land - water transition, they were lovely.

Who was Flounder if you don't mind my asking?

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 3:14am

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 03:14 AM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 9:53am

Oops....I didn'r even notice that. Note to self: "Don't write reviews when tired" lol

Updated On: 5/8/08 at 09:53 AM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:04am

Glad you enjoyed the show Eris0303!

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 5/8/08 at 11:42am

You said that they simplified the plot, but then you said they added elements to the story that went over the kids heads? Which one?

IMO they beefed up the story significantly, adding themes of woman-power, individuality and even prejudice.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 5/9/08 at 10:06pm

Quick question, does Sherie's mic get cut off when she "dies"?, because I've heard when Ariel breaks the shell she screams "NO! NO! NOOOO!!! *goes down trap door with sound effects*. I heard an audio and it sounded like either she didn't react well enough, or she got cut off when the shell broke.

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 12:41am

They fade out her mic as she "dies" and goes down the trap door.

[BWayJunkie]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:11am

I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I, like you, fall in the middle when it comes to TLM. I also work for Disney (on Broadway specifically) so I really wanted the show to be great. The tickets were given to all of us by the company so I didn't really care, but I did enjoy it. Enjoyed it a lot more than some of my co-workers. I too was a little annoyed by some of the surrounding kids either singing along (as were a few adults) or constantly getting up and moving, but thats par for the course i suppose.

The one thing that I disagree with, only because its my opinion, was scuttle. I've never seen Eddie in anything else so this has nothing to with him, but I LOATHED the two Scuttle numbers, Positoovity moreso than Human Stuff. I'm not sure why, but I think because the whole show is a kids show, but those two numbers were SOOOOO "immature" per se that I sat there and kind of cringed. Maybe its because I'm only twenty and am used to seeing the Disney show I work for, which is not as child-friendly as TLM is, although all the Disney shows are child-friendly really. The whole Scuttle thing is just my opinion, although I do agree that the tap number is fading from Broadway, although "my" show does have it (can you guess which show I work for? lol)..

O well, that's just my two cents... Glad you liked it though!!

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 10:03am

I saw the show the night before and here is my review, I was in the second to last row.

I saw it last night and it wasn't to good, the sets were cool and everything but nothing made sense. It felt like Disney on Ice. The music isn't even that good and the choreography is very over rated. Sherie was brilliant and so was the little dude who play Flounder. Sierra was okay, nothing to amazing.

The worst part were these awful people behind me, it was a group of teenage mothers probably all under 22 and their babies who couldn't have been over 1 year old. The babies were being babies and that's the way they should be but the Mothers were awful to their children. Some quotes to the babies,"Shut the F*** up before I punch you" "Shut up or I'll F*** you up" They kept hitting there kids and cursing at a Disney show. Isn't there a rule at other shows that kids under four can't enter? Well I understand that Disney wants to have younger kids but I think they need to make some cut off. So when the usher came and yelled at them they said to her "Shut the F*** up?" and then one had a shirt that said "Shut Up Bitch"

[James885]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 11:24am

Eris, your issues with how they handled the ending are almost exactly the same issues I had when I saw the show. Obviously it's not possible to replicate the battle from the movie on stage, but the current stage ending makes it way too easy for Ariel to kill Ursula. She basically runs up and grabs the shell, with no resistance from Ursula at all. I would think that if the shell meant that much Ursula, she would make a stronger effort to recover it. At least have Ursula try to zap her with the trident, or have the eels attack her, just SOMETHING to create a little tension and anticipation and make us fear that Ariel might be hurt.

Updated On: 5/10/08 at 11:24 AM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/10/08 at 7:02pm

Drunk Chita, your post is so extreme I don't know whether to believe it or not. They were hitting their children? I find it hard to believe that they weren't removed from the theatre. If I knew someone was hitting a one year old I'd have at least said something to an usher. Your post makes it sound like abuse and I probably would have fussed until the police were called.

[nyb418]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 11:55am

Agree with all the posts on here.Loved the lights, sets, costumes. A visual treat but lacking that little extra something. I love all of Sheries work and saw it mainly for her. Wish her part required some more stage time. I was pleased to her/see her get a rousing ovation at curtain call. Normally the kid sboo the "evil" vilian. LOL!!!

I lucked out and had mostly well behaved children around me, except for the horrid row in back of me. Kids and adults talking, texting, and basically doing gymnastics in back of me. My back and head were kicked like they were trying out for the rockettes.I spoke to the mom (who was maybe 21) and by act 2 they all calmed down.These shows are too expensive for me to be "Nice". parents- control your kids.

Side note.. I was shocked at how annoyed and dismissive Sierra Bogess is at the stage door to the fans. She signed a few playbills(myself included) in a very rushed manner, seemed annoyed, barely made eye contact with anyone(Myself included) and ran into her awaiting car like a diva. WOW!!!I can't tell you how many litle girls looked crushed.Basically, after Sierra left so did the crowd.A few of us ( all adults )waited around for the rest of the fabulous cast. Sean Palmer could simply not be bothered.There were maybe three people waiting . Sean claimed to be in a mad rush, but yet had to time to chat with his buddies on the street and then reach into his backpack to grab a few pre signed Disney postcards and handed those out. He stated (in a rude tone) "I'm not signing tonight. I am in a rush. I have somewhere to be. I"m giving these out.." OK, but in the time it took you to say that.. you could have signed for the two adults wanting a simple signature on their collectable posters.

Norm Lewis is one super cool guy and very appreciative of the fans. Way to go Norm! Very nice ensemble cast as well.

Apparently, Sherie does not come out to sign. Oh well. She was amazing in the show.

It is like people stated- expensive childrens theatre.


Updated On: 5/15/08 at 11:55 AM

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 12:09pm

"Sean Palmer could simply not be bothered.There were maybe three people waiting . Sean claimed to be in a mad rush, but yet had to time to chat with his buddies on the street and then reach into his backpack to grab a few pre signed Disney postcards and handed those out. He stated (in a rude tone) "I'm not signing tonight. I am in a rush. I have somewhere to be. I"m giving these out.." OK, but in the time it took you to say that.. you could have signed for the two adults wanting a simple signature on their collectable posters. "

They arent getting paid to sighn posters.... Hey... at leaste he had the courtesy to hand out sighned postcards..

IF he sighnes for 1 person or a few peopole he would have to sighn for everyone or else people would bitch about him only signing a few people and "rushhing" through the line.

I think that people need to get over the stage door thing. Especially adults

[nyb418]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 12:59pm

Yeah, I am an adult and respect the actors.I thanked both very politely and complimented their work. I was ignored.When I looked up to thnk Sierra for signing, she rolled her eyes and dismissed me like I was a piece of dirt.Sean apparently had time to do everything BUT indulge a fan and complete her poster signed by everyone other member of the cast. It honestly would have been a mere split second.. no one else was waiting for him. I could undrstand if ther was a mob, but everyone had left! Sean Palmer and Sierra Bogess should treat the people paying huge amounts of $$ to see them with simple respect as we do them.If they are in no mood to deal with the stage door, do not treat the fans so abruptly and dismiss everyone with an eye roll or condscending tone.I am aware they are not paid to do it, it is a courtesy. And most fans are very appreciative. I know I always am.But when I see something rude and not necessary towards fans, I state my opinion.That is what a forum is for.Actors should exit another way so as not to disappoint innocent kids who see them as "ariel " and "Eric".I'll get over it (actually I already did). I just posted a review of the show and my observations included the stage door experience.
Updated On: 5/15/08 at 12:59 PM

[BrianS]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 1:31pm

This sounds like a load of bs. I can imagine Sierra or Sean being busy and rushing things, but you are claiming Sierra rolled her eyes and looked at you like you were dirt. I would imagine if there were eye rolling and glares of disgust really going on at the stage door with all those cameras around, there would be hundreds of pictures of it on these boards in about 7 minutes.

Unless it happened just that one time... to you and nobody else. In that case it probably has to do with your behavior.

[BWayJunkie]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 1:33pm

Wow, that's really unfortunate. I don't stagedoor simply because if I want an autograph I usually just ask my stage manager to get one for me (which by the way, sometimes gets you more than just an autograph. Next time try and be really nice to the house or stage manager. Sometimes you can even get a backstage tour). Anyway, I work for Mary Poppins and it sucks to hear that other shows have less than appreciative cast members. It's not part of their job description to sign, but without the fans, you don't have a show and thus are unemployed. Also, word gets around, like in forums like these, that you are known as a diva or something. A fellow cast member told me once about Sierra acting like a diva on the street between shows once and its unfortunate when there are little children involved. Even if you're in a rush, you can't spare 5 minutes to make the day for 30 children? And on the double show days, you don't have much time between shows to do much, so how much of a rush could you be in? And after the show, what could you have to do thats so important at 10:30pm that couldn't wait 5 minutes? O well, I'm beginning to vent. It's just sad to hear. Thank goodness Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee aren't like that!

[nyb418]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 1:51pm

I agree. Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee are amazing people. So talented, charming and gracious.I have had the pleasure to meet them both.

If BrianS could actually take a moment and READ my post, there were not hundreds of people.Not at all! Actually Sierra came out very quickly, rushed everyone and everything. There were a few disapponted little girls.There were about three people at the stage door when Sean put on his "I'm so busy" routine.It was absurd.

My behavior was " HI Sierra, you did an amazing job. If you have a moment, could you sign my playbill?" I even supplied a sharpie all ready to go.Her response was eye rolling and even when I thanked her and said I appreciate it.. she made no eye contact and moved on without a glance towards me or the girl next to me. Am I missing something? Did we do something wrong? I think not.. just really bad behavior on Sierra's part.And actually I wasn't the only one who noticed it. Quite a few grumblings were overheard.And I'm not the first to post here about Sierra's attitude. Granted, she gives a fabulous performance as Ariel, but she needs to lighten up and appreciate the fact that the fans (the same ones she is rude to) are basically giving her this awesome opportunity on broadway.

And BrianS, I don't think anyone was quite quick enough to digitally capture the exact second Sierra rolled her eyes, but I'll check into it. Maybe eyewitness news got it..

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 2:05pm

people are allowed to have a bad day....

[BrianS]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 2:39pm

I did read your post. I just can't believe if it's happening as much as you guys are saying, no one has caught it with all the cameras and video at a stage door.

Someone said it before on this board and it's so true. Stage-dooring is not "to show your appreciation for the performers." That's what applause at the end of a show is for. Stage-dooring is for you, not them. If you gave an actor 2 scenarios:
1) An appreciative audience who applauded wildly and then you left the theater quickly with an empty stage door (the way Broadway was for MANY years)
2) The current stage-door situation at almost every broadway show.

I guarantee most of them would prefer the first scenario. I don't mean that to be mean or as a bad thing, but maybe by realizing that stage-dooring is about YOU and not them, you can cut them some slack. Until you do what they do, you have no idea how hard it is. I know how hard it is for me to do 8 shows and I dont have to do press or have people fighting for my signature (half of which are going straight to eBay anyway).

Someone who works for Poppins wrote "And on the double show days, you don't have much time between shows to do much, so how much of a rush could you be in?" Are you crazy? Things have to get done when they have to get done and 2 show days are the worst. People have lives. It's the expectation that you deserve something 24/7 should you run into them on the street that sucks.

And what really sucks about it all is that because the fans push it too far one way, when the actor takes a little space back for themselves they look ungrateful.

[nyb418]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 4:02pm

I understand and abide by all you said, but there is a diference between having a bad day/ general rudeness. And yes Sierra's snippy attitude has been posted here and other message boards before .. quite a few times actually.

It isn't about me. I actually was waiting for a ride and just happened to hang by the barrier. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to get a few signatures as I really respect Tituss and Norm lewis.They were a pleasure.I was amazed at Sierra's quick and rude exit. And she disregards the few compliments people were giving her. So rude in my opinion. I enjoyed her performance onstage, but not offstage. I stand by comments and opinions.
Updated On: 5/15/08 at 04:02 PM

[Charlie No-One]

Posted: 5/15/08 at 4:19pm

When I saw the show in March, she just looked at the crowd and walked away. No signing or anything.