ABC’s The Little Mermaid LIVE

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:00pm

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/live-feed/little-mermaid-live-starring-aulii-cravalho-set-at-abc-1229130

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:02pm

Weird. Perhaps it's more of a concert version?

[copskid949]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:04pm

Certainly interesting choices, and overall just an interesting choice for a televised musical. Hopefully we don’t get more people complaining about ethnic Ariel. Shaggy is an interesting choice for Sebastian, definitely one I would never have thought of, but sounds good!

I’m personally interested to see who they pick for Scuttle since it’s a tap-heavy role that’s reportedly genderbent in the new movie. (Awkwafina I think is in talks for playing him/her?)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:33pm

I'm plotzing!

[zainmax]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:35pm

Wonder how this will affect their live action remake.

[copskid949]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:40pm

zainmax said: "Wonder how this will affect their live action remake."

Probably not at all. It looks like this will be pretty faithful to the movie first and foremost, not sure how many stage elements will be in there but they are confirmed. Either way it looks like there are no connections to the live-action remake whatsoever, especially since this is a 30th anniversary celebration of the animation.

[zainmax]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:44pm

copskid949 said: "zainmax said: "Wonder how this will affect their live action remake."

Probably not at all. It looks like this will be pretty faithful to the movie first and foremost, not sure how many stage elements will be in there but they are confirmed. Either way it looks like there are no connections tothe live-action remake whatsoever, especially since this is a 30th anniversary celebration of the animation."

I know, but it seems like a lot of Little Mermaid stuff all at once. Disney is hitting us over the head with it.

[copskid949]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 2:51pm

zainmax said: "copskid949 said: "zainmax said: "Wonder how this will affect their live action remake."

Probably not at all. It looks like this will be pretty faithful to the movie first and foremost, not sure how many stage elements will be in there but they are confirmed. Either way it looks like there are no connections tothe live-action remake whatsoever, especially since this is a 30th anniversary celebration of the animation."

I know, but it seems like a lot of Little Mermaid stuff all at once. Disney is hitting us over the head with it."

Oh, I get it now. Sorry lol

I feel like Mermaid’s one of those properties that can’t be tarnished too much with overexposure. There’s just a certain level of love for it where an audience won’t get tired of the material unless it’s CRAZY overused.

That being said, I imagine this version will go over much better with just about everyone than the planned movie, which could really hurt it even more considering the general  consensus is that very few people are going into the movie theater expecting a good product, not counting the new material from Menken/Miranda. We’ll just have to wait for a trailer before we can anticipate the effect this adaptation has on the other. I’m guessing it’s a bad idea in the long run, but at least we’ll hopefully get a dope TV broadcast.

[zainmax]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 3:04pm

copskid949 said: "zainmax said: "copskid949 said: "zainmax said: "Wonder how this will affect their live action remake."

Probably not at all. It looks like this will be pretty faithful to the movie first and foremost, not sure how many stage elements will be in there but they are confirmed. Either way it looks like there are no connections tothe live-action remake whatsoever, especially since this is a 30th anniversary celebration of the animation."

I know, but it seems like a lot of Little Mermaid stuff all at once. Disney is hitting us over the head with it."

Oh, I get it now. Sorry lol

I feel like Mermaid’s one of those properties that can’t be tarnished too much with overexposure. There’s just a certain level of love for it where an audience won’t get tired of the material unless it’s CRAZY overused.

That being said, I imagine this version will go over much better with just about everyone than the planned movie, which could really hurt it even more considering the general consensus is that very few people are going into the movie theater expecting a good product, not counting the new materialfrom Menken/Miranda.We’lljust have to wait for a trailerbefore we can anticipate the effect this adaptation has on the other. I’m guessing it’s a bad idea in the long run, but at least we’ll hopefully get a dope TV broadcast."

Agreed.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 3:37pm

Queen Latifah as Ursula? The most uninspired casting in a looooong time. 

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 3:40pm

I am also interested in seeing what this ends up being. I noticed the press release listed Shaggy as “the voice of Sebastian” so that seems to imply some kind of live-action puppetry or pre-recorded animation for the sea creatures.

[copskid949]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 4:50pm

Hamilfan2 said: "I am also interested in seeing what this ends up being. I noticed the press release listed Shaggy as “the voice of Sebastian” so that seems to imply some kind of live-action puppetry or pre-recorded animation for the sea creatures."

I believe the cancelled 2017 version was supposed to be a lot like Roger Rabbit, so that makes sense.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 5:09pm

Why not have Tituss Burgess as Sebastian? He played him in the Broadway version and was awesome.

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 5:22pm

copskid949 said: "I feel like Mermaid’s one of those properties that can’t be tarnished too much with overexposure. There’s just a certain level of love for it where an audience won’t get tired of the material unless it’s CRAZY overused."

The other thing is that the live-action movie won't come out for a few years, and this year is the original's 30th anniversary.  Maybe they want to celebrate the rebirth of the Disney renaissance on its anniversary.

Also, I LOVE the idea of Auli'i Cravalho as Ariel - it's so meta, considering her most famous role is as a character who is the exact inverse of Ariel.  I've always thought she would have a good voice to play Eurydice, if she ever wanted to come to Broadway in the years to come.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 5:54pm

FANtomFollies said: "Queen Latifah as Ursula? The most uninspired casting in a looooong time."

Says you. I’m ready for her to knock the sh*t of “Poor Unfortunate Souls”.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 7:19pm

I hope they have some understudies this time!

[trentsketch]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 9:14pm

I'm pretty sure when they first revealed this was going to happen they said it was going to be state of the art and incorporate live actors with technology. I think they want to include animated elements in the live production, hence specifying Shaggy as the voice of Sebastian rather than Sebastian. I seem to remember a delay in this happening for technology reasons. Maybe that was at D23 a couple years ago or a similar event? This definitely isn't the first I heard of a live Little Mermaid on ABC.

[silent]

Posted: 8/5/19 at 10:04pm

Hollywood seems to have Latifah or Hudson on speed dial when it comes to musicals. And it’s very annoying.

[bdn223]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 1:44pm

The announcement reads like they will likely be including some aspects of the Broadway production, which if I had to guess would be the costumes. Yes everyone laughed at the heelys, but other than that and flounder’s over-sized T-shirt, the costumes were quite beautiful in my opinion. It was the set and props that were an eyesore with so much mother of pearl paint, everything looked like plastic. In addition to the uninspired staging that caused the reimagined act two climax to be one of the biggest dues ex machina’s in staged memory.
Yes I know everyone also liked to make fun of the two tails, but I thought they really helped simulate the movement of swimming.

I will say The Little Mermaid, is the only Disney animation adaptation, where I actually listen to and enjoy most of the songs added for the stage adaptation. In my opinion The Little Mermaid has the best score of any of Disney’s Broadway adaptations. Outside of Scuttle and Flounders songs that both seem to more serve the we need to give this character a song (Human Stuff, and She’s In Love), and we need to have a big Act II opener even if it does fit the score thematically or plot wise (Positoovity), the score always gives me goose bumps. Her Voice, and One Step Closer are on par with the films original songs, although this might be because they are expansions of the films underscore. I also somehow always find myself listening to Beyond My Wildest Dreams, and I Want The Good Times Back. I know the later has been replaced in subsequent productions due to expositional issues, but I just love how it establishes Ursula as this larger then life vaudevillian performer that time forgot, akin to a Judy Garland or Bette Middler.
If I had to guess they might also include Her Voice, as it will allow them to cast a male popstar.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 2:03pm

bdn223 said: "I also somehow always find myself listening to Beyond My Wildest Dreams, and I Want The Good Times Back. I know the later has been replaced in subsequent productions due to expositional issues, but I just love how it establishes Ursula as this larger then life vaudevillian performer that time forgot, akin to a Judy Garland or Bette Middler."

I prefer "I Want the Good Times Back." I saw the tour and didn't care for "Daddy's Little Angel." I missed "Good Times" and the reprise because of Sherie Rene Scott's belting.

 

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 2:27pm

It sounds like this will be more like the Hollywood Bowl version. They are playing the animated movie. Then when the songs come on, they switch to a live stage

https://www.slashfilm.com/the-little-mermaid-live-details/#more-570240

[darreyl102]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 9:08pm

quizking101 said: "FANtomFollies said: "Queen Latifah as Ursula? The most uninspired casting in a looooong time."

Says you. I’m ready for her to knock the sh*t of “Poor Unfortunate Souls”."

If she pre records it maybe, Live she can barely belt. Look at live versions of 'I know where I've been' and "When you're good to Mama" and compare to in the studio- major let down

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 11:00pm

darreyl102 said: "quizking101 said: "FANtomFollies said: "Queen Latifah as Ursula? The most uninspired casting in a looooong time."

Says you. I’m ready for her to knock the sh*t of “Poor Unfortunate Souls”."

If she pre records it maybe, Live she can barely belt. Look at live versions of 'I know where I've been' and "When you're good to Mama" and compare to in the studio- major let down"

Considering the part of Ursula doesn't really call for belting, she should be fine. Pat Carroll was brilliant in the role, and she wasn't belting. You really think Latifah can't do this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfkkMHieqcI

It's a lot of speak-singing, which someone with a history of rap should have no problem with.

As someone was calling for Latifah to be cast in the movie, this isn't what I was hoping for, but I suppose I'll have to take it. For those who are opposed, well, enjoy Melissa McCarthy in the film version. Blech.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 12:37am

^I was speaking to the poster who said that Queen would knock the s*** out of 'poor unfortunate souls', something I've never seen her be able to do live. I'm fully aware of the history of the song, and it doesn't have to be as big as it was on Broadway but I'm saying that I don't see the tifa doing anything but the okay performance she usually does when she sings

[bdn223]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 10:33am

darreyl102 said: "^I was speaking to the poster who said that Queen would knock the s*** out of 'poor unfortunate souls', something I've never seen her be able to do live. I'm fully aware of the history of the song, and it doesn't have to be as big as it was on Broadway but I'm saying that I don't see the tifa doing anything but the okay performance she usually does when she sings"

Sherie  Rene Scott, ruined the enjoyment of me listening to anyone else performing Poor Unfortunate Souls. Her interpretation of Ursula, by turning her into a Broadway diva, and transforming of Poor Unfortunate Souls into a belters anthem was just amazing. I remember seeing Faith Prince take on Ursula after Scott and being so disappointed, as her take on Ursula was much more in line with Pat Carroll’s speak singing. I have said this on the boards before and will say it again, I will pay full Broadway prices for a concert of the original Broadway cast with a with a full orchestra. The Little Mermaid’s Broadway score is honestly one of the most under appreciated in the last 20 years.