As many have said this is an OUTDOOR summer stock theater. There's only so much they can do as far as sets, costumes could be a bit better but they don't exactly have Disney budget either. I do feel though that their Sebastian costume is a big improvement over the Broadway version, the eyeballs on the latter really ruined it. Except for the stupid skirts, I felt that the Braodway mermaid costumes were beautiful. All they needed was black tights (and black heelies) and with the right lighting the effect would have been exactly what they were going for with the tails.
Taz, I cant see most places going minimalist or darker. This is considered family fare and will easily make money if you cater to families. Families don't like minimal or dark. Even if sets are cheap, people want color. Even if costumes are cheap or tacky, people want to see costumes.
I think with Murin and Vogt it's got a lot going for it.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
So is LITTLE MERMAID the next FOLLIES.. a show that just sucked and shouldn't have... and all future productions will just suck more or in different ways??
Flunt It, them's fighting words saying Follies "just sucked" in its original production...
I dunno. Mermaid at least has a pretty great original film. I like most of the new music a lot, but it does seem near impossible to conceived on stage well--still this production doesn't even look like they're trying.
From the preliminary set design diagrams I have seen, their upcoming production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers should have a good set. They are really incorporating the outdoor elements they already have as an outdoor theatre.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
I'm trying to find a way to phrase this so that doesn't sound perverted. Does the costume designer at the MUNY have some issue with skin? Ariel's signature look in the film, and Broadway incarnation was the purple seashell bra, but here she is practically wearing a one piece costume. See also the Legally Blonde "bunny suit" with the loose flesh tone filler up to the neck.
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
According to the song list in the MUNY program it looks like the licensed version of the show has been substantially revised. Mostly in the first act. Ariel's "World Above" is gone as well as "Human Stuff," and some of the other songs now play in a different order than they were on Broadway.
Act One "Fathoms Below" "Daughters of Triton" "Part of Your World" "Storm at Sea" "Part of Your World" (reprise) "I Want the Good Times Back" "She’s in Love" "Her Voice" "The World Above" "Under the Sea" "Sweet Child" "Poor Unfortunate Souls"
Act Two "Positoovity" "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" "Les Poissons" "Les Poissons" (reprise) "One Step Closer" "I Want the Good Times Back" (reprise) "Kiss the Girl" "Sweet Child" (reprise) "If Only" "The Contest" "Poor Unfortunate Souls" (reprise) "If Only" (reprise) "Finale"