NEW YORK—Young children will gasp in wonder at The Little Mermaid, (book by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater), the latest Disney musical to hit Broadway.
But while Mermaid doesn't sink without a trace, it certainly doesn't soar to the heavens either.
Based on the Disney animated film, the show tells the story of Ariel (bewitchingly played by Sierra Boggess), the beautiful daughter of King Triton (Norm Lewis), ruler of the seas. Despite stern warnings from her father, Ariel is fascinated by the world above the waves, traveling to the surface, despite the potential danger.
She's often accompanied by Flounder (Brian D'Addario) and a crustacean named Sebastian (Tituss Burgess) the later coming along rather unwillingly to keep an eye on her.
One day, Ariel saves young Prince Eric (Sean Palmer) from drowning. Seeing her as if in a dream, Eric falls in love with Ariel and she with him. Desperately wanting to be a part of his world, Ariel strikes a deal with the evil Sea Witch (a wonderfully over the top Sherie Rene Scott) to become human.
But this agreement comes with a price. Ariel has only three days to make the prince (who has no idea who she is) declare his love for her. Otherwise, Ariel will be trapped in the Sea Witch's domain forever.
The Menken-Ashman score (taken from the film) is brilliant, with such numbers as "Under The Sea," and "Kiss the Girl," the latter especially bringing to life a feeling of the ocean as a special and magical world.
However, too many of songs written directly for the stage don't have that same emotional impact. In addition, more than a few scenes (such as the ones with the Sea Witch's henchmen, a pair of electric eels) seem to be there just to pad out the show. Also, Sebastian's costume really doesn't work (one of the few outfits that doesn't) with the result being the character, while nicely played by Burgess, really doesn't come across as a crab, thus lessening his impact.
Fortunately the show's core elements, such as the love story between Eric and Ariel, work quite well. The play also hits a home role emotionally thanks to its winning cast, with Boggess, who give Ariel a beautiful childlike wonder, and Scott definitely deserving Tony nominations. Also very good are Lewis, Jonathan Freeman as the prince's mentor and Eddie Korbich as "Scuttle," a seagull.
The sets by George Tsypin are exquisite, especially the effect used to indicate being underneath the waves, and the costumes by Tatiana Noginova are (for the most part) quite beautiful. The chorography by Stephen Mear is lovely to watch (where else can one see a flock of seagulls tap dancing) and direction by Francesca Zambello and lighting by Natasha Katz are also very good.
Also in the cast are Merwin Foard, Trevor Braun, Brian D'Addario, Robert Creighton, Tim Federle, Arbender J. Robinson, Tyler Maynard, Derrick Baskin, Heidi Blickenstaff, John Treacy Egan, Adrian Bailey, Cathryn Basile, Cicily Daniels, Ben Hartley, Michelle Lookadoo, Alan Mingo, Jr., Zakiya Young Mizen, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Bret Shuford, Chelsea Morgan Stock, Kay Trinidad and Daniel J. Watts.
The Little Mermaid
The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
295 West 46th Street
Tickets: 212-207-4747 or www.DisneyOnBroadway.com
Open Run
Running time: Approximately two hours, 25 minutes
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication The Stage.
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