Customer Reviews

Disney's The Little Mermaid (2008 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To everyone considering buying the Original Cast Album of Disney's newest Broadway musical, DO NOT HESITATE. The New York critics have labeled the show as being "too stylized" and "lacking in appeal" and even "more parade than theatre." To be perfectly honest, the critics these days favor small, low budget shows like SPRING AWAKENING and XANADU that are not of the caliber of the classic Broadway musical; true, these shows are very good, but are more in the Off-Broadway vein. So, it is not surprising that when a piece of Broadway magic hits the stage the critics label it as too spectacular or too sachrine. THE LIITLE MERMAID, despite New York critics' uneccessary harpooing of it, has been hailed by TIME as "the most ravishing show (I have) ever seen on a Broadway stage." Well, at least the folks at TIME get it, even if the cynical New York critics don't. The songs from the original film are all here, and in the case of some of them, mainly the serenading "Kiss the Girl," are actually beeter onstage than on film. The new songs, with music by the film's original composer Alan Menken, and new comer lyricist Glenn Slater are far from what the critics have called "syrupy;" the new material is actually very much up to par with the originals. True, they feel different because we aren't used to hearing them and haven't had them etched into onto our ear drums from repeated exposure, but they are wonderful nonetheless. In fact, some of them, such as the lovely "If Only" quartet, the mersisters' delightful ditty "She's in Love", and Ariel's sweet "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" could easily have been in the original film because they add music to moments from the film that made us want to sing with delight and wonder. Ursula's new material, "I Want the Good Times Back" and Eric's "Her Voice", along with the aforementioned "If Only" quartet are more adult in tone and may not completely make sense to very young audience members, but adults will love them, especially Ursula's deliciously sardonic "I Want the Good Times Back" (parents be warned that Ursula swears in this song: "...the whole damn works"). Sherie Rene Scott's Ursula is more Broadway diva than the dumpy, drag queen-esque witch of the original (don't get me wrong-I love Pat Carroll's original! She made the only Diney villaness that ever completely terrified me as a toddler), but Sherie's portrayl is delightful and refreshing, and with a little tongue-in-cheek homage to such fictional divas as SUNSET BOULEVARD's Norma Desmond. Sierra Boggess, to put it simply, IS Ariel. She brings the character that Jodi Benson originally created to delightful life, giving Ariel enough of "Sierra-ness" to make her more than a mere copy of what we saw on the screen. Norm Lewis, Titus Burgess, Sean Palmer, and Eddie Korbich are also wonderful, Titus giving his Sebastian delightful vocals, here high and lilting rather that low and rumbling as in the film, although the original voice, Samuel Wright, is wonderful as well. Also, the conclusion of the show is actually, to me, more logical and intimate than the monster movie-esque larger-than-life demise of Ursula that exists in the film. In the stage version, Ariel dispatches Ursula, which girls will love for it's "girl power" punch, by smashing her magic shell, the rather unstable source of all of her dark, black magic that she inherited from her and Triton's father (yes, Ursula is Ariel's aunt!). Also, Doug Wright has improved on two points only hinted at in the original script: Ursula's motives and the romance between Ariel and Eric. Rather than being a rather superficial and quick romance in the film, Ariel and Eric are given SOME TIME to fall in love here, and it is as Disney-cute as can be. To close, buy this album, go see the show if you are able, and ignore the critics, especially those at the New York Times, who are only lampooning the show because it is "another Disney show" and very modern in its costumes, set design, and lighting. Also, the show is optimistic and has a heart, unlike such musicals as SPRING AWAKENING that are pessimistic and end with warped and unhealthy parent-child relationships and despair - the complete opposite happens here. MERMAID goes against the grain of our pessimistic society and gives us permission to have hope, to have dreams, and to find our own "voices" when it comes to what is important to us.

While not quite the level of brilliance seen in "The Lion King" or "Mary Poppins", Disney's latest effort, "The Little Mermaid" aims to restore a bit of the magic lost in "Tarzan".

Sierra Boggess makes a terrific Ariel & might have received a Tony nomination for her efforts in a less competitive year. Norm Lewis, Titus Burgess, and the amazing Sherrie Renee Scott round out the leads - though I'm not sure all were used to their potential.

Alan Menken's score includes both songs from the movie as well as new additions. The music is principally geared towards the younger set, but several songs are standouts:

Part Of Your World
Under The Sea
Poor Unfortunate Souls
If Only (Quartet)

I've never seen the Broadway musical, so this is strictly commentary on the music. I've been a die-hard fan of The Little Mermaid since the movie was first released in 1989, in part because of Alan Menken's unforgettable score and Howard Ashman's genius lyrics that speak to the heart, especially Part of Your World. I like new recordings of the music from the movie, including the country-ized versions that have been released over the years, so when I stumbled across this CD, I snapped it up.

For new recordings of old favorites, this album is mostly a winner. While no one can ever replace Jodie Benson for me, Sierra Boggess captures Ariel's youth and innocence very well, and most of the other characters are well-cast. I have a hard time with Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula; her songs sound like someone just singing songs from the show/film rather than Ursula.

New songs leave something to be desired-- the lyrics lack something that's hard for me to pin down in a review. Glenn Slater does outstanding work, but there is something off about the lyrics here. They're appropriate for the story, but they simply lack heart. They're Broadway tunes and nothing more. Disney lost a very special kind of magic in its musical productions with the passing of Howard Ashman, and without even looking at the credits, it's easy to know which ones are Howard and which ones are not. Lest anyone think I am being too hard on Glenn Slater, he comes really close with Eric's song "Her Voice," and from me that's a high compliment.

Broadway fans, Disney enthusiasts, and most fans of the movie will find this a five-star addition to their music collections. Those who know what I'm talking about with Howard should be aware that while it's easy to sing along with the newer tunes, they'll never touch your heart the way Howard did. The vast majority of people will love this CD for yourselves and your children.

I bought this as a gift for my 7 year old, but I listen to it more than she does. We saw the show in NY in August and this cd transports us back to Broadway each time we listen to it. The songs written to showcase "Prince Eric's" voice are so beautiful they bring tears to my eyes. You will love this music!

How disappointing that "The Little Mermaid" got ripped to shreds by Broadway critics! As the album proves, there really isn't anything wrong with the superb score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Glenn Slater. To be fair, critics seemed to be most off put by the staging and design, not the music. I suppose an underwater world is difficult to pull off convincingly on stage. At least they didn't go the same dopey route as the "Little Mermaid" show in Disney World, which places Ariel smiling on a rock, virtually immobile, except for a flopping tail (If memory serves correctly).

Anyway, this is a review for the cast recording, not the show-- and this is a highly enjoyable disc. Some of the songs-- the ones from the movie that marked a renaissance in Disney animation in 1989-- are lodged in my memory, and have been swirling in my mind again after being reawakened by this recording. Seriously-- once entering your ears, "Part of Your World" and "Kiss the Girl" will not be going anywhere for days.

The show also incorporates new songs, all of which fit in easily, though I could probably do without the ones assigned to Ariel's gull friend Scuttle ("Human Stuff" and "Posititoovity"), which are probably best enjoyed by the under-10 set. But "She's In Love" is a catchy addition, and I like Prince Eric's "Her Voice," which effectively echoes Ariel's "Part of Your World." The cast throughout is fine, though Sherie Rene Scott's interpretation of the villain Ursula required a listen or two for me to make up my mind about (The verdict: campy, but I like it, especially when she's belting out the memorable "Poor Unfortunate Souls".). I do wish Norm Lewis had a big song of his own as King Triton (How do you not give Norm Lewis a big song?), but that's a minor quibble.

So don't be turned off by the negative reviews of the show (doesn't seem like audiences have been, anyway). This ranks up with "Beauty and The Beast" as the best of the Disney cast recordings.

I was somewhat skeptical of this album before I heard it. "The Little Mermaid" was my favorite Disney film growing up and I'd memorized the soundtrack before I was seven. When I heard that they were doing a Broadway version of it I was excited, until I heard some of the bad reviews for it. Since then, I discovered what an amazing job Broadway did with "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast," so I decided to give "The Little Mermaid" a try...

And thank God that I did! "The Little Mermaid" is absolutely AMAZING, hands down. I have to apologize to my childhood memories, but Sierra Boggess has completely replaced Jodi Benson as Ariel in my mind; Sierra has an ethereal, soaring voice that captures all of the magic and youth of her character in a way that Benson never did. Her work on "Part of Your World" would have been enough to win her a Tony award had it not been such a competitive year.

The new songs blend so well with the old that listening to the Broadway album is something like swimming into warmer waters in different parts of the ocean -- they intermix very easily. The story is also much more fleshed out here than in the movie, giving Ursula more history and motivation as well as showcasing Eric's feelings for Ariel much more than the movie ever did.

Sean Palmer is a controlled and soaring contralto that injects Prince Eric with new life; Eric's splendid new song "Her Voice" becomes a desperate search for his mysterious rescuer in Palmer's lovely operatic voice. Palmer very nearly outshines his fellow singers in the lovely quartet "If Only."

The excellent casting continues with Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula. Scott's voice is much more bluesy and far more Broadway than the excellent Pat Carroll -- while Carroll was somewhat frightening as Ursula, Scott is a fun villainess that makes her nostalgic singing about ruling over her terrified subjects with black magic and cannibalism a real treat to listen to ("I Want the Good Times Back"). Also, Flotsam and Jetsam have been given a deeply creepy duet "Sweet Child" that aids their characters immensely.

Tituss Burgess is just as good as the original Sebastian, and even Ariel's sisters are given slightly bigger parts as they sing the punchy Broadway head-bopper "She's in Love."

From the delightful new material such as "She's in Love," "I Want the Good Times Back," and "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" to our beloved classics "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl," and "Poor Unfortunate Souls;" from the brilliantly wistful "If Only" or "Her Voice" to the deliciously creepy "Sweet Child" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls (Reprise)," "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway is a gorgeous achievement that lulls you gently into its magical world like the ocean rocking you to sleep.

It is a journey well worth taking.

There are billboards around bus stops in NYC that read "The Mermaid Effect" and show the picture of a little girl sitting in a theatre with her mouth wide openned.

Ladies and Gentleman that is indeed the effect from watching this show. Forget about the movie and enjoy it for what it is, an interpretation from a movie. A lot of reviwers complained about Triton being black, the fact that he and ursula are brothers, and other minor details that in my opinion DO NOT DIMINISHED the enjoyment of this show.

Siera is ARIEL, in all senses of the word. and the rest of the cast does an EXTRAORDINARY job in this wonderful musical, fill with color and magic.

I am a mermaid fan, since the moment I watched the movie in January of 1990. To have waited all this time for the musical was WELL WORTH THE WAIT.

The show takes a different take on the story and it touches on what we discovered in Ariel's Beginning of the human / mer world. The sequence of events also changes, to adapt to the main idea of GIRL POWER(quoted from another reviewer).

The performances were DELIGHTFUL AND BEYOND COMPARED. I am sorry to tell you that Shery Renee Scott is no longer Ursula.. and people you really do not know what you missed, enjoy her performance on this CD. I got to see the under study of Sebastian, and he was amazing, I could not tell the difference from the CD. The rest of the cast was the original so I HAD ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES ON BROADWAY SINCE WATCHING BEAUTY AND THE BEAST WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST MINUS THE BEAST.

The people all around (adults) had their mouths openned by the end of the first act. So the billboard was completely true.... The power of this musical you can feel it from the moment the overture begins, its Disney magic ....

The introduction of Ariel is with the song the world above and siera gets my 5 stars for being the real mermaid... so its not a part of your world, that some people complained.

If you take a child take the time to explain to them, what they are going to see and you will see the same effect on them, as the crowd when I went.

Ursula gets more songs as well... and you do not know what you missed with Shery Renee Scott.. they are big shoes to fill, but Disney will do a good job with the replacement.

Eric gets some songs and he is very wonderful with the material given. He really shines with the quartet "If Only".

I have to say get the CD, GO SEE THE SHOW and prepared yourself for THE MERMAID EFFECT.

I saw the show in May. I decided to see the show first then decide whether the CD is worth it. And I was the first to rush to the couter to buy the CD after the show. I personally think the music is simply perfect. Sierra Boggess demonstrate the most beautiful soprano voice I have ever heard. I am glad I bought the CD because when I saw the show somehow her voice is a little low when singing "Part of Your World", Sherie Rene Scott was the primary reason when I decided to see the show in the first place and her songs blew me away. Her voice is powerful and penetrating. Other casts did an amazing job too. And all the new songs added to the show are very good. I especially love "If Only". This song is very a very moving quartet song. Some kind of music that brings you to tears. So I think this CD is definitely worth it, for all that love The Little Mermaid.

I love this musical! I enjoyed the movie for the children, but the additions to the musical score are fabulous. I feel like a child again as I experience the adventure of the of Ariel, Scuttle, Flounder, Sebastian, Ursula and the entire cast of characters. The entire cast has such amazing voices, I immediately love the song they're singing. Ursula has such an incredible voice I wonder why she wants Ariels, but I know it's part of the story line. I appreciate the talents of Howard Ashman, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater with the creative music; what a joy! I love how they have expanded the story in music. I'm sold! For the young at heart, children and musical lovers in general, this is one musical you want to have in your collection!

Coming from someone who is in love with The Little Meraid as a movie, I could not wait for the movie to come to life on Broadway. The Soundtrack is filled with upbeat songs that parents and children alike could enjoy. No more car rides, where the parents are subject to songs like the wheels on the bus to appease their children.

Sierra Boggess does a great interpretation of the songs that Jody Benson recorded to perfection for the movie. Her voice is so similar, that it is remarkable to see a cartoon come to life in such a way. Performing "Part of Your World" and "The World Above" with the new song "Beyond My Wildest Dreams", Sierra makes an amazing Broadway debut. Tituss Burgess, as Sebastian hits all the right notes and manages to add more compassion to the character. The Broadway version brings to light a number of new songs, sung by Prince Eric which to me, complete the movie. Sean Palmer makes the perfect prince with an unremarkable voice in the addition of the songs "Her Voice" and "One Step Closer". His voice and the passion inside will bring tears to your eyes. The CD includes all favorites with some unnecessary, yet great additions to the score. The song "If Only (quartet)", track #25, sung by Sierra Boggess, Sean Palmer, Tituss Burgess and Norm Lewis as King Triton is my favorite.