Was just checking the Billboard site and the news story reflecting new chart arrivals says the "The Little Mermaid" cast album sold 20,000 copies, landing it at #26 on the Top 200 Albums chart.
Is this some sort of recent record? I know "Legally Blonde" and "Spring Awakening" and "Spamalot" broke into the Top 100 and fell pretty fast, but I can't remember anything of recent vintage debuting this high or selling this much first week ouT.
Just checked Billboard Chart Alert and it answered everything. Highest debut since "Rent" (#19 in 1996) and highest first week sales since "Rent" (43,000). The 20,000 is padded with pre-orders, which didn't count as sales until the CD was actually shipped. Updated On: 3/5/08 at 11:53 AM
It's not surprising really, as everyone else mentioned. It is a Disney show based on one of the most popular Disney movies ever so it makes sense that it'd do so well. Even if most of the new songs were losers, I'd still rather listen to the cd than go see the show live.
"But I can tell you that Raoul, who was so handsome in "The Phantom," is now a drunken wreck."
Good for the show maybe it will help increase interest in the show. I mean its not great by any stretch but it is jobs for people....
I have a problem with the "it's not very good but deserves to run because it keeps actors employed" mentality.
NO!
People are paying over $100 a seat. They deserve much more bang for their bucks. And by bang I do not mean elaborate spectacle. The source material for TLM (original story and film) should provide teh basis for a fantastic musical show. Anything less does not deserve to run. (I have the same problem with PHANTOM. It has good elements but overall the show is not very good and does not deserve to be still running after more than 20 years.)
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks." Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Humm.. maybe I better listen to this on itunes before I fork out the money to own it? I was hoping the Music was good. I like the new ad for the CD a lot. Though the pictures and plot have put me in the, well, I can wait for it to go on Tour crowd.
I want Disney to do better with their shows too. I enjoyed many of them and they should put in the time to make it as good as the Movies. I fear they know their audience too well these days and it isn't the regular Theater crowd. Most Parents, Grandparents will put up with a lot, just to look or think that they are doing their part by taking the kiddies to see a live show.
After this though, I fear I will always want to see anything Disney in pre-views or the cheap seats first before buying one of those over priced tickets.
Does the billboards chats work the same as the ones in Australia? The Australian ones are based not sales, but the amount shipped to stores, so if Little Mermaid shipped 20,000 copies and only sold 3,000 copies.It would still show up on the chart as 20,000.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
The Billboard album charts are based on sales, whether it be CD or download. Some of the singles charts are based on a mixture of airplay and sales, but the one in question is flat out sales.
I havn't seen the show, but I love the recording, this can only boost sales... frontrowcentre2, agree with you, but if people are willing to shell out (no pun intended) $100 or more per ticket, why shouldn't the show stay open and keep people employed? Presumably, people buying tickets seen reviews, and done some research on what they're seeing, so they don't waste their money...
Count me in as one who loves the recording (minus Sherie's, IMO, strange, off-putting Ursula). It's a great listen and Sierra is a goddess. I just wish the show could have been something much more artistic and magical.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian