Worst Disney Musical? — Page 2
#28
Posted: 10/28/14 at 8:05pm
The Lion King is one of my least favorite shows, but Tarzan was definitely the worst.
#29
Posted: 10/28/14 at 8:19pm
I never got to see Tarzan nor Aida. I was not a fan of the Tarzan cartoon nor any of the music I heard from Aida and that was enough to keep me away from both. I have also not seen Aladdin live so I shall stay away from that as well. The three Disney musicals that I saw were, of course then, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. In that order.
I've mentioned my thoughts on The Lion King in another thread, but I don't mind repeating myself in this case. The Lion King is, to this day, the only play or musical that holds the honor of being the one that I have ever fallen asleep while watching. My father elbowed me in the ribs to wake me up because I actually started snoring at one point. Something that, rightfully so, embarrasses me to this day though would not have happened if it weren't for the most boring show that I have ever sat/slept through.
Next I saw Beauty and the Beast on a whim just after I moved to NYC. I absolutely loved it. Not only did it retain the magic and feel of the film but it expanded on it. I saw it once more just before it closed and loved it still.
And finally we have the train wreck that was The Little Mermaid. Oof. The Lion King may have put me to sleep but The Little Mermaid actually managed to hurt my feelings. I was actually offended by what I saw. And it has nothing to do with the costumes. Don't get me wrong now, they were horrid for the most part. However their shortcomings were completely over shadowed by the atrocities committed against the story. Not only was the climax rewritten to resemble something from a cheap Saturday morning cartoon; but one of Disney's best villains was turned from a larger than life, husky voiced, bawdy force of nature to some lame Norma Desmond wannabe. I would have had no problem with Ariel being the one to save the day, but they didn't have to completely crap on the second act to do it. It didn't help things that the "director" seemed to have zero vision or creativity. It was clear she had no clue what she was doing right down to the blocking. Then they went and "fixed" the show by changing things that worked just fine and leaving the drek to fester and rot on it's own. Can you all tell how much I hated it? I can go on and on about this and also how it could have worked were they to stay closer to the film, but I'll stop here. As I'm sure most of you would like me to.
I've mentioned my thoughts on The Lion King in another thread, but I don't mind repeating myself in this case. The Lion King is, to this day, the only play or musical that holds the honor of being the one that I have ever fallen asleep while watching. My father elbowed me in the ribs to wake me up because I actually started snoring at one point. Something that, rightfully so, embarrasses me to this day though would not have happened if it weren't for the most boring show that I have ever sat/slept through.
Next I saw Beauty and the Beast on a whim just after I moved to NYC. I absolutely loved it. Not only did it retain the magic and feel of the film but it expanded on it. I saw it once more just before it closed and loved it still.
And finally we have the train wreck that was The Little Mermaid. Oof. The Lion King may have put me to sleep but The Little Mermaid actually managed to hurt my feelings. I was actually offended by what I saw. And it has nothing to do with the costumes. Don't get me wrong now, they were horrid for the most part. However their shortcomings were completely over shadowed by the atrocities committed against the story. Not only was the climax rewritten to resemble something from a cheap Saturday morning cartoon; but one of Disney's best villains was turned from a larger than life, husky voiced, bawdy force of nature to some lame Norma Desmond wannabe. I would have had no problem with Ariel being the one to save the day, but they didn't have to completely crap on the second act to do it. It didn't help things that the "director" seemed to have zero vision or creativity. It was clear she had no clue what she was doing right down to the blocking. Then they went and "fixed" the show by changing things that worked just fine and leaving the drek to fester and rot on it's own. Can you all tell how much I hated it? I can go on and on about this and also how it could have worked were they to stay closer to the film, but I'll stop here. As I'm sure most of you would like me to.
Updated On: 10/28/14 at 08:19 PM
#30
Posted: 11/2/14 at 2:36pm
I have alas seen them all and in my opinion they have two good ones, a bunch of middling to bad ones and one of the most excruciating theater experiences I have ever endured.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed Mary Poppins quite a bit, especially considering I was not a major fan of the Disney film. I thought the stage version did a great job incorporating the tone of the Travers books, plus I liked the staging and both leads (I still find Dick Van Dyke fairly unendurable in the film).
I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed Aladdin, especially given all of the advance bad word on the board about it. I thought it was frothy, colorful and fast-paced, and James Inglehart Monroe deserved that Tony he won.
I found Beauty and the Beast just plain blah, especially considering it came from one of the best Disney films. It was inoffensive, but it could have been staged and realized so much better. Just MEH.
Tarzan was another that had a lot of potential, but was completely bungled in the transition. I thought the cast was pretty solid, but there are literally no showstoppers in it, a lot of the staging was clunky, and what was with that sickly green hue that seemed to wash over everything?
The Little Mermaid was another that should have been great, but was badly mishandled. The whole endeavor seemed to be lacking. The staging of Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl was completely unimaginative. I thought Act I was sluggish, but adequate. Act II was a total disaster. Outside of Sherri Rene Scott camping it up as Ursula, I was not impressed by the cast. Someone forgot to write a role for Prince Eric, who basically stood around for three hours in tight britches with a pained smile like an underused prop. When Ursula was vanquished, it was so underwhelming I kept thinking "Is that it?" I kept waiting for the real climax of the show. Not surprised over its brief run.
What can I say about Aida, but that I had almost completely forgotten about it? A dull Elton John score, two duller leads (how in the hell did Heather Headley score a Tony win over Marin Mazzie and Rebecca Luker that year?), and a total waste of time. It truly could not end fast enough.
I am in the minority, but I agree with a couple of the other posters here. I find The Lion King boring and downright excruciating. I was not a fan of the film and I despised the show even more. Simba is a boring lead character (Nala is a non-entity), Scar is a tired unimaginative villain and I have always found Elton John's score to be generic and tedious (is there a more overrated song than the dirge-like Can You Feel the Love Tonight?). The guy who played Scar when we saw it seemed to be channeling Thurston Howell III. I found the "acclaimed" costumes to appear cumbersome and looked like they inhibited the movement of the performers and the much ballyhooed animal effects they brought out periodically reminded me of ratty Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade rejects (I kept thinking "Is this is what all the fuss is about?"). At the time I paid more than I had paid for any prior Broadway show to see it based on the hyperbolic reviews (did people just invent superlatives for this show or what?). I went with family members with kids, all of whom were bored with it. If you think I am hard on this show, just get any one of them started. There was a discussion of leaving at intermission because the kids were falling asleep on it. Unfortunately, we stayed. Then the kids belonging to the people next to me got bored and started crawling on the floor under my feet and screaming "I want to GO!" and "Let's play a game!", which aggravated me even more. I was so anxious to leave, I nearly went out the fire escape and then actually contemplated continuing on down to blessed freedom.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed Mary Poppins quite a bit, especially considering I was not a major fan of the Disney film. I thought the stage version did a great job incorporating the tone of the Travers books, plus I liked the staging and both leads (I still find Dick Van Dyke fairly unendurable in the film).
I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed Aladdin, especially given all of the advance bad word on the board about it. I thought it was frothy, colorful and fast-paced, and James Inglehart Monroe deserved that Tony he won.
I found Beauty and the Beast just plain blah, especially considering it came from one of the best Disney films. It was inoffensive, but it could have been staged and realized so much better. Just MEH.
Tarzan was another that had a lot of potential, but was completely bungled in the transition. I thought the cast was pretty solid, but there are literally no showstoppers in it, a lot of the staging was clunky, and what was with that sickly green hue that seemed to wash over everything?
The Little Mermaid was another that should have been great, but was badly mishandled. The whole endeavor seemed to be lacking. The staging of Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl was completely unimaginative. I thought Act I was sluggish, but adequate. Act II was a total disaster. Outside of Sherri Rene Scott camping it up as Ursula, I was not impressed by the cast. Someone forgot to write a role for Prince Eric, who basically stood around for three hours in tight britches with a pained smile like an underused prop. When Ursula was vanquished, it was so underwhelming I kept thinking "Is that it?" I kept waiting for the real climax of the show. Not surprised over its brief run.
What can I say about Aida, but that I had almost completely forgotten about it? A dull Elton John score, two duller leads (how in the hell did Heather Headley score a Tony win over Marin Mazzie and Rebecca Luker that year?), and a total waste of time. It truly could not end fast enough.
I am in the minority, but I agree with a couple of the other posters here. I find The Lion King boring and downright excruciating. I was not a fan of the film and I despised the show even more. Simba is a boring lead character (Nala is a non-entity), Scar is a tired unimaginative villain and I have always found Elton John's score to be generic and tedious (is there a more overrated song than the dirge-like Can You Feel the Love Tonight?). The guy who played Scar when we saw it seemed to be channeling Thurston Howell III. I found the "acclaimed" costumes to appear cumbersome and looked like they inhibited the movement of the performers and the much ballyhooed animal effects they brought out periodically reminded me of ratty Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade rejects (I kept thinking "Is this is what all the fuss is about?"). At the time I paid more than I had paid for any prior Broadway show to see it based on the hyperbolic reviews (did people just invent superlatives for this show or what?). I went with family members with kids, all of whom were bored with it. If you think I am hard on this show, just get any one of them started. There was a discussion of leaving at intermission because the kids were falling asleep on it. Unfortunately, we stayed. Then the kids belonging to the people next to me got bored and started crawling on the floor under my feet and screaming "I want to GO!" and "Let's play a game!", which aggravated me even more. I was so anxious to leave, I nearly went out the fire escape and then actually contemplated continuing on down to blessed freedom.
Updated On: 11/2/14 at 02:36 PM
#31
Posted: 11/2/14 at 3:56pm
I haven't seen Tarzan...but easily the worst least interesting Disney show to me was Aida. For someone who basically enjoys most things I see and can find something to like about most everything on stage...I couldn't wait to get out of the theater at Aida.
I do know that Beauty and the Beast is probably the BEST...But I think it was a little overdone and missed a lot of the simplicity and charm of the movie. I remember Belle's blue and white dress at the opening in the movie was all simple lines and flowy fabrics..and for the show, we got ruffles, appliques, patterns...and that's pretty much how I felt about the whole show. So I liked it but I didn't love it.
Same thing with Mary Poppins and Lion King.....when I am in love with the Disney movie, I have a hard time adjusting.
I do know that Beauty and the Beast is probably the BEST...But I think it was a little overdone and missed a lot of the simplicity and charm of the movie. I remember Belle's blue and white dress at the opening in the movie was all simple lines and flowy fabrics..and for the show, we got ruffles, appliques, patterns...and that's pretty much how I felt about the whole show. So I liked it but I didn't love it.
Same thing with Mary Poppins and Lion King.....when I am in love with the Disney movie, I have a hard time adjusting.
#32
Posted: 11/2/14 at 4:02pm
Has anyone else noticed that Mary Poppins is the only musical adaptation of a Disney movie that was not from the "Disney Renaissance" era. I suppose that's because the Disney Renaissance movies were written with more musical-theatre style songs.
#33
Posted: 11/2/14 at 4:14pm
Does Jungle Book count? (I do think that was a problem with Tarzan--it had even more of a pop score than Lion King with most of the songs done as pop tracks not sung from character, etc.)
Still, I think it's unfair to not say classic Disney didn't have a lot of musical theatre style songs, though I get what you're saying about them being harder to adapt to movies. Snow White for example rarely gets credit for having songs that were fully integrated (and yet were big pop hits,) back when Broadway largely still didn't have what we would now call integrated scores.
Still, I think it's unfair to not say classic Disney didn't have a lot of musical theatre style songs, though I get what you're saying about them being harder to adapt to movies. Snow White for example rarely gets credit for having songs that were fully integrated (and yet were big pop hits,) back when Broadway largely still didn't have what we would now call integrated scores.
#34
Posted: 11/2/14 at 4:25pm
Oh, I forgot they made Jungle Book into a musical. And yeah I suppose you have a good point about the music. I was just proposing a possible answer as to why most of the musicals Disney Theatricals has done so far have been adapted from the Renaissance films.
#35
Posted: 11/2/14 at 6:46pm
The Lion King is phenomenal! It gets awesome reviews elsewhere
I also know someone who saw and loved the Little Mermaid. You can't go by what everyone on this message board says, trust me!
I also know someone who saw and loved the Little Mermaid. You can't go by what everyone on this message board says, trust me!
#36
Posted: 11/2/14 at 9:30pm
What a negative thread! How about, at least, the worst AND the best. Personally, i feel the whole anti -Disney rant is tired. They've produced some well received shows; some not so much, but in general they've added revenue to Broadway and maybe introduced some to theatre who perhaps would not be there otherwise.(and BTW in my case - I loved "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast")
#37
Posted: 11/2/14 at 9:49pm
I thought Mary Poppins was complete Magic. It was the perfect combination of classic and new elements that made it for a special night at the Theater. I am also very fond of the changes made in the redevelopment of the characters,especially Mrs. Banks. And as for the new songs "Anything Can Happen" is my favorite. I saw the show in 2009 just right before "Temper Temper" was replaced.That song kicked ass. Mary's entrance at the end of the song just chilling. It's a shame they cut it, because it truly pulled the show along in the first act. Which in a way could be a full show on its own.
#39
Posted: 11/2/14 at 11:24pm
Well I saw an extremely expensive regional production of Tarzan that I thought was almost unbearably boring, so that, but in terms of professional Disney shows I've seen, probably The Lion King (haven't seen The Little Mermaid or Aladdin and I will be seeing Newsies when it comes to SF so my opinion may change if I see any of those)
#40
Posted: 11/2/14 at 11:31pm
Out of all the Disney musicals, I've seen Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Aladdin. Out of those, I thought Little Mermaid was the worst.
I've said this before: Little Mermaid was one of my favorite movies growing up. The cast and music were the strong points of the show for me; however, I think a lot of the "Disney magic" was lost with this production. The plot changes, in my opinion, did not help. For example, eliminating the character of Vanessa. Also, the ending (spoiler??????) with the singing contest was anti-climatic. The movie ending was so much better and suspenseful.
A lot of people on this thread are saying Lion King. I can see where they may be coming from, but I think Lion King was conceptually a better show. The costumes and sets were more creative, whereas I think the conceptual design for Little Mermaid was more lazy. One example - Flounder's costume was just a yellow T-shirt with a design.
I haven't seen it, but I think the most negative feedback I've heard overall was for Tarzan.
I've said this before: Little Mermaid was one of my favorite movies growing up. The cast and music were the strong points of the show for me; however, I think a lot of the "Disney magic" was lost with this production. The plot changes, in my opinion, did not help. For example, eliminating the character of Vanessa. Also, the ending (spoiler??????) with the singing contest was anti-climatic. The movie ending was so much better and suspenseful.
A lot of people on this thread are saying Lion King. I can see where they may be coming from, but I think Lion King was conceptually a better show. The costumes and sets were more creative, whereas I think the conceptual design for Little Mermaid was more lazy. One example - Flounder's costume was just a yellow T-shirt with a design.
I haven't seen it, but I think the most negative feedback I've heard overall was for Tarzan.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#41
Posted: 11/2/14 at 11:49pm
The singing contest wasn't even suppose to be the climax, it was suppose to be in place of the 'Vanessa' plot point which would be pretty difficult to achieve on stage.
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