In the first bit of the thread, i think they just say fall 07, but that all depends on how the show is recieved. If it's a hit with audiences/critics, then I think they will move the show directly to Broadway - if a big enough house is available. Although, I'll be interested to see what they do with some of their other shows, if they deceide to shuffle around their shows, or maybe close Beauty and the Beast. Though I doubt that will happen.
I really don't like most of the new songs. Wasting Away takes one rather minor comedic line and draws it out into a monotonous song just hammering the same joke over and over again (with the same joke relentlessly retold in other songs as well). What was a cute snarky self-absorbed comment in the film basically becomes the single character trait and source of comedy for everything Ursula. It's like hearing Arnold sing "What you talkin' about Willis?" on a loop.
The lyrics to all the new songs need to be completely reworked with possibly the exception of Posituvity, which is sort of cute, albeit completely erroneous. Ashman set the bar high and the new score doesn't come close.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
I saw what the venue looks like. It looks BEAUTIFUL. But I think it looks a little too big, even for Broadway. But still with that size, we could get a whole lot of special effects, as well as a bigger orchestra, maybe? Disney has plenty of money, they'd be willing to pay enough for that, right?
Okay, maybe I'm pushing it.
"How could she just suddenly, completely disappear into thin water?" - The Little Mermaid
It's going to be a big show regardless - it's Disney. It's about spectacle. I would imagine a lot of flying - or some abstract way of thinking like Lion King.
Before everyone gets all excited and thinks these are MERMAID shots before checking the link... they aint. I dont recognize the top one, but it looks like the Queen of the Night scene from MAGIC FLUTE. The second is his take on Wagner's RING CYCLE. I'm not certain on the third. THE RING is probably closest to his current style: very abstract and conceptual.
It should make for a wild evening, at least visually.
The whole scale thing works for this type of show. Originally when Matthew Bourne was tapped, I think that is what Disney was looking for. It's a good idea, the sea is so all encompassing.
Do you guys mean Sara as Ursula when she's an octopus? Or the transformed Ursula? I can't really see her as the octopus Ursula (I thought someone mentioned at one time Lea Delaria...also whoever sang on the demo...) but I can see her as the transformed Ursula.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Actually, Emily Skinner was Ursula for the demo and some workshops. We discussed this in an interview I did with her for Fynsworth Alley, archived on my website Emily Skinner Interview
So they probably won't even announce casting for this until next March or something like that?
I wonder where they plan on putting the show? I guess Disney better hope Pirate Queen or Legall Blonde are flops because those are basically the only "big" theaters to house this type of show.
Sara is WAY too young for Ursula. It's all about the Lillias.
Right. Because Lillias can totally play the young, beautiful transformed Ursula who tricks Price Eric into thinking she's the beautiful young woman he heard singing that one night.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
boxers, dunno if you are being sarcastic that is from an Opera called Snow Princess or something. That was years before Elphaba flew. Woa you like "The Comeback"?? That was my favorite show last year!
I live here in Denver. The Buell is a very large theatre. If you go to The Denver Post theatre section today, you should find the article on this and the other shows announced for our season. It looks like it is premiering here for a few reasons. One, the DCPA (Denver Center for the Performing Arts) is "partnering" with Disney to take it to Broadway. I suspect they will be producers. Also, our facility is a good one for "building" a show. Andrew Lloyd Weber chose the Buell to kick off the national tour of "Sunset Blvd." because we have the space to build sets, etc. We also seem to have a "relationship" with Disney as we revampd a lot of things at the center (new ticketing system, etc.) for the 1st tour of "The Lion King". That was a nightmare but was worth it. I figure no dates for "Mermaid" are out yet as the show is going start here and they may not have a timeframe as to how long it will take to build the sets, rehearse, etc. Keep an eye on the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News Closer to the time the show is to open. This is pretty exciting for us! We are also getting "Legends" with Joan Collins and Linda Evans along with Spelling Bee (Which will play the Buell and I hope the theatre doesn't swallow the show up as it is a pretty intimate show) and we are getting DRS, Color Purple and Light in the Piazza. The best season we have had in a while!