Sierra Boggess to Play Ariel in Bway-Bound Little Mermaid?

The Denver Post reports that Sierra Boggess - who currently plays Christine in Phantom - the Las Vegas Spectacular - has been offered the role of Ariel in the upcoming Broadway production of Disney's The Little Mermaid.

The 24 year-old performer, according to the article "cannot comment on the offer until a contract has been signed, which is expected by mid-February."  The offer was reportedly made on Tuesday, January 23rd, and Boggess' father Mike commented "...She's originating a role called the Little Mermaid in a show called The Little Mermaid that's going to Broadway?  What's to question?"

No comment, however, will be made by Disney officials until casting for the entire show is complete.

Boggess - who has been a fan of Disney's animated film The Little Mermaid since the age of 7 - toured in Les Miserables prior to becoming one of two actresses starring as Christine in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, an abridged version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.

The Little Mermaid will receive its pre-Broadway engagement at the Denver Center Attractions at Ellie Caulkins Opera House beginning July 26, 2007.

The production will then begin previews on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street) on November 3, 2007 and open officially on December 6, 2007.

The Little Mermaid is, according to press notes, "based on the Academy Award-winning film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice."

With a score composed by eight-time Academy Award-winner Alan Menken and his late partner Howard Ashman, the show will feature the classic songs "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea," as well as nine new songs by Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright.

The creative team for the show include Francesca Zambello (director), Stephen Mear (choreographer), George Tsypin (scenic design), Tatiana Noginova (costume design) and Tony Award-winner Natasha Katz (lighting design).

The Lunt-Fontanne is currently home to Menken's long-running Broadway hit Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which will end its historic run on Sunday, July 29, 2007.

Visit www.disneyonbroadway.com for more information.