Why all the hate for TARZAN & LITTLE MERMAID?

I'm so surprised that these 2 shows are getting hate. Like my cousin saw TLM and didn't like it. The shows looked great. Can you guys explain why no one likes them? I have a feeling that people will be like this for Aladdin.

Because they are more like executive decisions to make a money-making musical with as little effort, creativity, and inspiration as possible.

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They both looked like SH*T... some of the ugliest designs I have ever seen on a Broadway stage. They also butchered the story of The Little Mermaid. They basically took everything about the film that was exciting and watered and dumbed it down.

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Isn't this discussion about two years too late?

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Both shows seemed pretty rushed. If I recall correctly, there wasn't a lot of time between the initial announcements and first stage appearance for both of these shows. Compare that to NEWSIES, which was initially announced 3+ years prior to its first appearance on stage. Granted, it was initially intended to be developed for licensing purposes only, but the statement still stands.

Like many folks have already said, the main trouble with TLM was the lackluster technical aspects. The division between land and ocean characters is a huge challenge that designers still seem to have trouble with. Every new production that has popped up around the world features something "new" in regards to swimming or the ocean characters. ("swim" wigs, flying as swimming, etc.)

To me, at least, TARZAN wasn't the best choice for theatrical development. The music in the film is wonderful, but is mostly used as background music for scenes, rather than a storytelling device. Also, TARZAN's stage design seemed more like a Cirque du Soleil performance than a Broadway "blockbuster." I actually think it would've been a better idea for Disney to collaborate with the Cirque creative dept. for a stage version of this as a show in Animal Kingdom or a potential replacement for LA NOUBA in Downtown Disney.

It's a shame that they pass over some wonderful films (TANGLED and even ENCHANTED) that could be adapted for the stage more easily in favor of properties that require extensive (and unsuccessful) risk-taking. Perhaps they could use some Imagineering magic in the Theatricals office... :)

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I adored 'Tarzan'. It's actually the show that made me want to pursue theatre. It's one of the cast recordings I re-visit rather often. As others have pointed out, it was rushed and very minimal in terms of design and special effects, which most people expected and wanted from a "Disney" show. For me, it was the acting that won me over; I felt the performances being given were fantastic and that was enough to keep me engaged and not miss some of the usual Disney "wow factors." I have always loved 'Tarzan' (which probably has a lot to do with my feelings on the show) but it was a huge gamble for Broadway being that it isn't one of Disney's biggest hits. It has however found A LOT of success in Europe with productions not that different in design from the Broadway production, which says something.

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Updated On: 8/15/13 at 06:05 PM

Scarlet, while I agree about Clayton, I find that very interesting about Kerchak; I've always felt that plot change to be all the more powerful and justified with "Everything That I Am" as it shows Tarzan in a much more vulnerable and human state than we ever see him in the movie, just as we had seen Kerchak in a much more vulnerable and animalistic state during "No Other Way", even though it is (more than) implied that there is remorse during both numbers.

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"Because they were awful and probably made Walt Disney's frozen head spin around in his ice bucket."


Why would it make Walt Disney's head spin? He died before these animated musical(s) came to life on screen and then stage, so why would he care? Now, if it was something like Sleeping Beauty or Snow White (while he was still alive), then I can see that!

I still don't get how both shows flopped on Broadway, but have become successes in other countries. Tarzan in Germany and The Netherlands and The Little Mermaid in The Netherlands, Russia, and Tokyo. Personally, Tarzan gave the Broadway community nothing and The Little Mermaid gave us Sierra Boggess. So,that's the only positive thing I like about either.

THE LITTLE MERMAID was the worst musical I have ever seen on Broadway. Ever.

That's why there's all the hate. Because it stunk.

Isn't "hate" too strong a word for not liking a show?

Can't speak for TARZAN but TLM was a rushed process. The Plastic set looked horrible and the costumes were gaudy and just plain bad. People also didn't like the act 2 changes. The additional songs they gave to Scuttle were horrendous and the roller skates didn't particular go down well with Broadway audiences. I believe I also heard a rumor that the BATB cast made Tshirts saying something along the lines of " Fish on roller blades?". Not sure if that is true or not, anyone know?

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For the purposes of guilt, different parents throw different things back in their kids faces. Often, mothers will use the number of hours of labor they endured. I remind my daughter that I took her to see Tarzan.

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