The Official THE LITTLE MERMAID First Preview Reviews Thread

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:39pm

To all those who attended, please, post your thoughts, reactions, opinions, etc., etc. here.

Many thanks. Updated On: 11/3/07 at 10:39 PM

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 11:20pm

I went to final dress last night and I thought that IF you can accept that they cannot literally have people swim onstage, it's pretty alright. Not the best show I've seen by FAR, but it is certainly better than Tarzan. I think once they change some things, the show will be ok. The lighting is absolutely stunning and "Under The Sea" was visually gorgeous.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:00am

How were you able to go to the final dress? (Lucky!)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:16am

************ POSSIBLE SPOILERS ***********


Just got back, and while it is not perfect, had a great time !!

Thomas Schumacher started off the night by making a speech right before the curtain went up. He thanked everyone for coming, and for "being part of history"- He then explained that during an afternoon rehearsal, there were tech problems with one of the scenes, and that it would be cut tonight.

I looked at thru my Playbill several times, and didnt notice any songs being cut.

I did not see the show out of town, so maybe someone else could shed some light on exactly what was cut?

Ok.. two things that bothered me:

1) The costumes- Ursula's was not that bad (and Sherie could look great in anything), but Flounder's "costume" - (sorry, but a long t-shirt with blue circles on it, doesnt cut it), and Sebastian's costume (a red suit, and a tophat with eyes) were terrible !!!

The mermaids looked ok, but for some reason (at least to me), it seemed like Ariel's tail was a different color than the rest of the costume... It looked like it was taped on at the last minute.

2) The scenery/sets- I was pretty much in shock of the quality, given the fact that this is a Disney production !!

The lighting was very good, but most of the scenes were kind of drab.

Honestly, other than once or twice, I never truly got the sense that the scene was underwater !!!

(They did a better job in Disney World with "Finding Nemo"- The Musical !!)

I figured it would come (for sure) during "Under The Sea", but it didnt (although the number was excellent, and a real
crowd-pleaser" !!)

There just wasnt that one "WOW" moment (like the opening number in "LK" for example, or the first time seeing the Beast's Castle, in "BATB", or the Beast's Transformation)

Speaking of which, they MUST do a better job with Ariel's tranformation at the end (maybe that was the part that was cut), but having another mermaid rip her tail off, doesnt cut it !

Ok, now the good-- The cast is excellent !!!

Sierra Boggess is a STAR !!! PERFECT as Ariel ! Her "Part of Your World" was probably the best I have ever heard. I thought a standing ovation was coming. Her voice is excellent, and she was even better in Act II when she has no voice !!! Her mannerisms alone can steal your heart !!

As Ursula, Sherie Rene Scott is deliciously devious !
(Her wig was the best part of any of the costumes, btw)

Sean Palmer is great as Eric, and is given the best ballad to work with ("Her Voice")- He knocks it out of the park !

Tituss Burgess (despite the costume) is excellent as Sebastian ! He really captures the comedic aspect of the role. Norm Lewis is good as King Triton, although he seems a bit disinterested at times.

Rest of the cast (love Eddie Korbich as Scuttle, although at times I felt like I was watching "Drowsy" again), very good.

Overall, I think the show is flawed, but the cast makes up for it, and for a first preview, it was very good.

Crowd seemed really into it (btw, far too many 2-4 years olds !), and IMHO, this is going to be a HUGE hit !!!

[Mouses Magic]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:18am

Where were your seats and how were they?

[Mouses Magic]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:20am

When people post their reviews, can you also post where your seats were. I like to know different people's persepctive from where they sat. Thanks!

[misschung]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:21am

Thanks for the review, I've been waiting to hear one.

I just have one question about something that you said:

I was pretty much in shock of the quality, given the fact that this is a Disney production !!

Did you mean this in a good or bad way? I'm thinking it's the latter, and I'm surprised and disappointed. It's too bad they're having trouble conveying the underwater environment.

I keep thinking about the Aida sets and how gorgeous they were. For something like The Little Mermaid, the set needs to really nail it in order to maintain the suspension of disbelief. But, it was their first preview, and it sounds like it went really well.

Did the 2 year olds in the audience seem to stay interested throughout the show? It seems like a long night for such a young child.

Updated On: 11/4/07 at 12:21 AM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:21am

Could you post a song list if it's not too much trouble?

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:25am

There just wasnt that one "WOW" moment

That is EXACTLY what everyone who I saw it with was saying. That "moment" just doesn't exist.

As far as the marmaid transformation, nope, that was not cut, it is VERY weak and needs to be worked on.

I also really disliked Flounder's costume but I didn't mind Tituss'. I thought his was ok, but I admit, it could definitely be better. I also wasn't a fan of Scuddle and the birds' costumes. Not to mention that with the shoes, Eddie had some problems getting over the "wave". He tripped really bad and almost fell. I predict that someone is going to end up hurt because of one of those "waves".

I was also underwhealmed with the part where Eric is underwater. It was just like the opening of Tarzan only not as well executed and after seeing this same effect before, it's not as thrilling.

Edit: I was second row and center of the back section (I'm not sure of the exact seat number).

Updated On: 11/4/07 at 12:25 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:32am

Is 'Big Ursula' in the show, or not?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:40am

I was pretty much in shock of the quality, given the fact that this is a Disney production !!

That was my reaction to Tarzan. It was okay, but considering the standards they set with The Lion King and the amount of money and talent Disney has at their disposal, it was seriously anticlimactic.

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:40am

If you mean does she grow super large? No, instead they let her tentacles go over her head. It looks better than it sounds. She is also never a human, but I think they changed it and made the show work just fine without it.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:49am

What about the running time?

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:52am

A mermaid ripped her tail off? That didn't happen in Denver. After Ariel became a human at the end of Act 1, she stayed a human.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 12:54am

It was just like the opening of Tarzan only not as well executed and after seeing this same effect before, it's not as thrilling.

What is that effect?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 1:17am

<< Did you mean this in a good or bad way? I'm thinking it's the latter, and I'm surprised and disappointed. It's too bad they're having trouble conveying the underwater environment. >>

Unfortunately, in a bad way--- I just thought they were bland. For those that have seen "Finding Nemo- The Musical" at WDW-- that "wow... this IS underwater" feeling is missing somehow.

(At least to me)

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 1:39am

Running time (I believe) was around 2:30-2:35- started a bit late, and the intermission seemed longer than 15 mins.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 1:47am

This sounds just awful. I can't imagine NYC critics liking it. Another Tarzan.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 1:16am

I don't even know how you could even COMPARE the two! Aside from them both being from Disney, that's pretty much all they have in common. A poorly-conceived Phil Collins score (imho) versus a masterfully-crafted Alan Menken / Howard Ashman piece of orchestral prowess - It brought intrigue and allure to movie theatres decades ago, and some 18 years later, I have a solid inkling that 'visual setbacks' aside, this show will do what BEAUTY and THE LION KING did for the company .... Leave millions and millions of children (and) adults left breathless, emotional, and enchanted.

[PhanaticSanna]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 1:49am

I got to see the preview run in Denver, so I'm wondering what has changed. I actually really liked the show. All the new music was great and I liked the simplicity of the sets. I have a friend who adamently disagrees with my view though.

You said there wasn't a 'Wow' moment, but I thought the scene where Ariel saves Eric was that. I thought it was such a beautiful scene! Has it changed?

I'm sorry to hear they didn't change Flounder's costume. I was hoping they would.

Do they still have the heelies in the show? I'd heard they got rid of them. When I'd originally heard they were going to use heelies in the show, I was irritated, but once I saw it, it worked really well, I thought. I can't imagine it without them gliding around onstage.

An a mermaid ripped her tail away? That's bizarre! It just kind of fell away as she swam up in the Denver run.

Oh, I am dying to see it again to see all the changes.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 6:07am

<< You said there wasn't a 'Wow' moment, but I thought the scene where Ariel saves Eric was that. I thought it was such a beautiful scene! Has it changed? >>

I thought that was done VERY well, Phanatic, but it wasn't a total "WOW" for me--- I wouldnt compare it to the Beast's tranformation, (just using that as an example)

<< I'm sorry to hear they didn't change Flounder's costume. I was hoping they would. >>

Yeah, that costume reminded me of something out of "BKLYN"- very cheesy--- Honestly, I didnt even know he was Flounder at first !!!

<>

They still had them, and I agree--- they worked very well !!!

<>

Nope--- someone actually took it off, right before she swam away. (if my eyes did not deceive me) They need some kind of a better lighting effect (maybe smoke/mist?) to mask that part-
(Like the one that they use in Disney World-- something like that)

Oh, I am dying to see it again to see all the changes.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 6:12am

<< This sounds just awful. I can't imagine NYC critics liking it. Another Tarzan. >>

Based on what, Bobby? Wat reviewed and, and so did I, and we both said that while it is not perfect, it is extremely enjoyable, the score is excellent, and the cast is great.

Its going to be a hit, and "TLM" has a MUCH bigger fan base than "Tarzan" in terms of mass appeal.

Along with "Beauty and The Beast" (and possibly "LK"), I dont know of a Disney movie that is loved by so many people.

Just about everyone that I spoke with last night said that "TLM" was their favorite Disney animated feature.

[Tchi4Lif188]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 8:18am

Sitting in the mezz, you can see the tail being taken off. I'm not sure about how it looks in the orchestra but it was certainly visible for me.

The effect I was referring to was basically just Eric coming down as if he was falling into water. He just didn't quite move as well. He went "back up to the shore" better than he "drowned". He'll get better at that though. Although it still looked great, it just wasn't a wow moment.

Yes, the heeleys are still there and they work VERY well. The only issue I had was in the first act when they had the beach scene, it was a little awkward when they WEREN'T on the heeleys. That may have just been me though, haha.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 8:18am

1) The costumes- Ursula's was not that bad (and Sherie could look great in anything), but Flounder's "costume" - (sorry, but a long t-shirt with blue circles on it, doesnt cut it), and Sebastian's costume (a red suit, and a tophat with eyes) were terrible !!!

^^^^

I cant believe that Disney did not even change those horrendous & unimaginative costumes

Testiing-- thanks for a nice review..looking forward to see it.

So I thought Disney did some changes from the DENVER try-out? .. Its seems like its the same old bland production ! oh boy! this is gonna be really fun to review & read others' reactions for the next 2 weeks

J*

Updated On: 11/4/07 at 08:18 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 8:21am

Song list:

Overture
Fathoms Below
Daughters of Triton
World Above
Human Stuff
I want the Good Times Back
Part of your World
Storm at Sea
World Reprise
She's in Love
Her Voice
World Above reprise
Under the Sea
Sweet Child
Poor Unfortunate Souls

Entracte
Positoovity
Beyond my Wildest Dreams
Les Poissons
Poissons reprise
One Step Closer
Good Times reprise
Kiss the Girl
Sweet Child reprise
If Only
Her Voice reprise
The Contest
Unfortunate Souls reprise
If Only reprise
Finale Ultimo


Lotta reprises.