Ursula - The Little Mermaid

[nshreeve]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 6:03am

KEEP HER FAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think someone like Jenny Galloway (who is NOT fat, but nicely plump) would be so good in this role. If not, bring on Harvey Fierstein!!!!!!!!!

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 9:44am

as nice as that would be, the lyrics wont allow for that, unles they are sung sarcastically ofcourse

[Spacedog78]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 11:26am

nshreeve

do you not understand that ursula has to turn thin to be veronica later in the show?

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 12:22pm

It's "Vanessa"..."Veronica" is a character from "Archie".

And the lyrics are sarcastic. It's a reference the line in the move "Now, look at me. Wasted away to practically nothing." I imgaine Ursula would be either fat suit or maybe a puppet or something, then the actual actress for Vanessa. Though that opens the whole issue that Vanessa is supposed to be using Ariel's voice...

Also, I love Harvey. I think he's talented and has a great sense of comedic timing. However, I don't want him as Ursula. Ursula is a woman. Just because she was based on Divine does not mean a man should actually play her. Kids would not get that.

Updated On: 2/20/07 at 12:22 PM

[goofy108]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 12:36pm

I would think they would record Ariel's voice and play that for the times Vanessa speaks and the times when Ariel can't.

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 1:17pm

There's going to be so much v/o in this show...wah. How else can they do "If Only"?

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 2:01pm

I'm sure the character of Ursula will be overweight, it will just be done with costume to facilitate Ursula's change towards the finale. As for a man playing the role--it could work. Disneyland always uses a man to play Maleficent in their "Fantasmic!" show, and Rafiki is played by a woman in "The Lion King" although I think that is more of a gender switch for the entire character as I believe they call her a "she" in the show.

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 2:41pm

I havent watched the cartoon in ages, but wouldnt Ursula have more stage time in her 'fat' form rathe than when she is Vanessa? sone how i doubt that they will try to get her to sound exactly the same voice as ariel, just think of the complications, they probably will just play on her sounding atleast similar, in any event Eric only remembers Ariel's vocalisations, not really her voice.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 2:44pm

Sherie is not overweight.

[nshreeve]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 3:18pm

Yes I know re the character change, but surely they can use another actress?......... After all, Vanessa doesnt really say much, and in the film, you NEVER see the change. She just appears, wearing the necklace.

[thespianham08]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 3:23pm

why keep her fat? look at it as a new twist makeing the show more spicy i mean now she is kind of a slut i dont know about you but i love that! it makes disney a little less innocent!

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 3:23pm

I like that Idea because then they can to the whole thing where Scuttle sees the sea witch in the mirror that Vanessa is looking into.

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 3:28pm

You may not see her in the movie transform, but knowing Disney's desire to make lotsa fun **** happen onstage, I can see them showing it for the musical.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 5:28pm

I don't think "If Only" is going to require any voice over. Surely an audience can suspend their imagination long enough to realize that what she is singing in this song is what she is saying to herself in her head.

[Weez]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 5:35pm

Maybe Sierra Boggess (or whoever; I understand that casting isn't 100% yet) has ventriloquism training and will be singing certain songs without moving her lips! ^_^

[MerMaggieGalinda]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 5:37pm

And Ariel has a whole other song, Beyond My Wildest Dreams, after losing her voice and I imagine she's singing in her head but she'd look pretty silly doing that on stage for the audience.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 7:45pm

i've said for a long time just have a chorus girl play vanessa they could still do an on stage transformation (see also joe boyd to joe hardy in damn yankees) and swap 'em

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 7:47pm

How about not debating the weight of an actor who has never been confirmed in the part?

[Switz78]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 9:27pm

Why are we all assuming that a girl with a bit of meat on her would not attract a Prince? Do fat girls not have boyfriends and hot guys who love them? Just because Sierra happens to be a very beautiful and thin girl does not mean that "Vanessa" can't be of the normal size right, like maybe god forbid an 8? They don't have to wear the same costumes.
Plus let's remember the beautiful and very sexy Sara Ramirez was/and is considered a "big" girl, simply because she's not a 4. Someone who is a 12 or 14 is by NO means FAT!

Just sayin'

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 9:33pm

Here's an idea, there could be alot of fog. Then, big brown sheets start spinnnig around her as she takes of her Ursula outfit. Then, wiith maybe a pyrotecnic, the sheets fly off and the fog dies down: Vanessa is revealed.

[Elphie3]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 9:38pm

I feel that Ursula could be done different ways - it might actually be a smart choice to make her a sexy diva (after all, who's ever going to compaire to Pat Carol if you make Ursula a "Pat Carol type.) I was thinking though that Mary Testa would be wonderful in the part.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 10:28pm

I assumed they'd have Ariel sort of step out of the scene, as they did for "Maybe This Time" in the Cabaret Revival, to sing the songs after she loses her voice.

I mean it would look awkward for her to be singing one minute then, when the action resumes, silent the next but it would be better than voice overs.