BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller

Dateline: January 18, 2008

THE LITTLE MERMAID

The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, the second home of the enduring mega-hit BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, once again serves as landlord to what is sure to be a long-term tenant. DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, the latest stage adaptation of a Disney feature, joins MARY POPPINS and THE LION KING in making the Mouse House the family friendly franchise on Broadway.

In 1989, the release of the film, "The Little Mermaid," marked the reemergence of Disney as the leader in animated entertainment. Not since "Sleeping Beauty" thirty years earlier had an animated fairy tale become such a hit with children and adults alike. With an Oscar-winning score by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, "The Little Mermaid" set the standard for a host of winners on the silver screen as well as The Great White Way.

Adapted for the stage by the Tony and Pulitzer winning playwright Doug Wright, this musical rendering is based loosely on the Hans Christian Andersen classic. Wright's book holds close to the Ron Clements/John Musker screenplay. Incorporated into Menken and Ashman's film score are many new songs penned by Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.

After rescuing the shipwrecked Prince Eric (Sean Palmer), the pretty young mermaid, Ariel (Sierra Boggess), yearns to explore life above the waves. Her father, King Triton (Norm Lewis), commands her to stay away from the human world, but Ariel has fallen in love. Enlisting the help of the Sea Witch, her conniving Aunt Ursula (Sheri Rene Scott), Ariel trades her beautiful voice for a pair of legs and leaves her ocean confines.

Above the waves, the sea-tossed prince has fallen for his mysterious savior and is determined to find her. Claiming he will recognize her enchanting vocals, he holds a singing contest among the young women of his kingdom. Meanwhile, the silenced Ariel washes up accompanied by Sebastian (Tituss Burgess), the crustaceous court composer to King Triton, and Scuttle (Eddie Korbich), her whimsical seagull friend. As part of her pact with Aunt Ursula, Ariel must entice Prince Eric to kiss her in order to keep her new gams.

Sierra Boggess looks every part the adorable young princess and serves up nicely for someone who loses her voice. Norm Lewis is stunning, if slightly underused. The sturdy Sean Palmer performs regally as Prince Eric and Eddie Korbich scavenges for comic relief as the dippy gull. Sheri Rene Scott wallows in her tent-acular costume designs by Tatiana Noginova. So, too, does the effervescent Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, the calypso crab.

Director Zambello has assembled a charming cast that brings the most to this buoyant fare. The familiar songs of Menken/Ashman—"Part of You World," "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl"—offer a homey tough. Stephen Mear's zippy choreography keeps the cast members tooling around on "wheelies," roller-skate styled shoes. George Tsypin's scenic designs are like a ride at Disneyland and Natasha Katz's lighting designs keep things soothed in a blue wash. THE LITTLE MERMAID, family fun on Broadway that's sure to last for years.