Mermaid casting- Page 3

[rclocalz]

Posted: 1/7/07 at 11:09pm

Hey guys, so I assume they have already cast some of the ensemble roles because my choreographer just stated in today's rehearsal that his best friend got cast in the ensemble of the Little Mermaid and I believe is understudying for Sebastian, (or one of the other main male roles, I forget). He's going to Denver to watch him in the show. Now, I know this is not concrete evidence since I am relying only on my choreographer's words, but I thought some of ya'll might want to know.

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:18am

I agree eb412!

For instance in the case of the actress who played Amy March in "Little Women" - that was painful!

But when Jessica-Snow was cast in Spelling Bee there were a bunch of people again squawking that she was too old. And have you seen her? She's fantastic. And if you didn't know that she was older than a lot of the cast, you'd never know! You know what I mean? :) She embodies the role of Olive! You're never thinking, I bet that actress is ten years older than the rest of the cast. It doesn't matter.

So I agree, the actress who tackles Ariel should have a natural youthfulness and innocence, plus spunk and charisma, etc. But I don't care what her chronological age is....18 or 38! As long as onstage she captures the role.

That's what bugs me about reading "she's too old" or she's not "age appropriate" all the time for any role. Who cares. Is she right for the role? Can she believably play it onstage? Does she capture the heart and soul of the character?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 11:06am

I still would like to see Kelli O'Hara...

I think her voice and look are perfect. And yesterday I heard a bit of Sweet Smell of Success and one of the dialogue parts of a song she sounded just like Jodi Benson in the movie...I got real excited. I think she could do it. But I'm sure they are going A LOT younger.

[PhantomMag234]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 12:20am

As long as the actress playing Ariel can pass for a sixteen-year-old I'm fine with it. But to be honest Kerry Butler would sort of ruin for me because she's too obvious a choice. I think someone else should play her. Same with Prince Eric. Cheyenne or Gavin are both too obvious. By the way Gavin and Kerry both played Eric and Ariel in the workshop with the old book by David Ives. But once Doug Wright wrote a new book they did a second workshop with Cheyenne as Eric and Celia Keenan-Bolger as Ariel. So I don't know I could be anybodys game.

[SahDu]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 12:46am

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Kelli O'Hara will be busy with Sunday in the Park.

Thanks,


Updated On: 2/15/14 at 12:46 AM

[SahDu]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 12:50am

Just found the following breakdown, which was apparently posted on Playbill Jobs:

The Little Mermaid - Equity Principal Auditions Category Performer Description NOTE: We are seeking performers of all cultural backgrounds for all roles.
Seeking actors to play the following roles:

Ariel: To play female in her late teens. A mermaid girl on the verge of maturity. A soon-to-be-siren with a frisky sense of fun. An innocent, headstrong and spirited, overflowing with feelings that are fathoms deep, and daring to dream about a different world, the world above the sea. Must move well, but need not be a trained dancer.
Vocal range: Crystal clear flawless belt to E.

Eric: To play male in his early 20’s. A prince among men, possessed of all the royal attributes that leave the girls breathless. But beneath the easy charm, the handsome face and the instinctive courage, lurks a reluctant ruler who’d happily trade his crown for a life on the bounding main, who’d gladly renounce his throne in search of something to fight for, someone to love.
Vocal range: Must be able to sing in a very controlled lyrical tenor or Baritenor. Gorgeous soaring sound to A.

Triton: To play male in his late 30’s or 40’s. The Son of Poseidon, King of the Undersea World, with a profound belief that the Human World is dangerous and to be shunned. A powerful, uncompromising monarch, and the harried father of seven mermaid daughters. Commanding, regal, charismatic, sexy – and, when it comes to his girls, especially his youngest, Ariel – a doting and deeply devoted dad.
Vocal range: booming Baritone to strong E.

Ursula: To play female in her 30’s or 40’s. A Sea Witch and Triton’s estranged (and none-to-happy-about-it) sister, banished forever for dabbling in The Black Arts. Personality as huge as her ambition. Tentacles as numerous as her devilish spells. Wildly smart, sinister and sarcastic. Luxuriously sexy, sultry and statuesque. Desperate to overthrow her brother and reclaim the undersea realm once and for all!
Vocal range: Dramatic Alto down to E. Big Belt to C# with strong head voice to a G.

Grimsby: To play male in his 30s - 50s. Prince Eric’s British guardian. Long-suffering, no-nonsense and big-hearted. More a companion and confidant than a guardian, without whose astute counsel Eric would be lost, and at sea. A source of advice, a center of gravity. Occasionally exasperated by, but entirely devoted to, his young charge, the Prince.
Vocal range: Light character vocals only, patter a la Gilbert and Sullivan.

Sebastian: To play Caribbean male in his 20’s - 50’s. A crab. The court composer, world-class suck-up to King Triton, and a ‘side-stepper’ by nature. Ariel’s unwilling protector under the sea, and later, in the inhospitable world above. Speaks with a Caribbean accent. Good sense of comedy, good dancer and singer.
Vocal range: Strong character calypso sound. Baritone to E.

Scuttle: To play male in his 30’s or 40’s. A seagull. Fancies himself the ocean’s Greatest Living Expert on humans and their peculiar (and often revolting) stuff. Full of confidence, positivity, and, of course, feathers. Ariel depends on him for the bird’s-eye view of the world and life. A real song and dance man-type, will tap.
Vocal range: Very strong character Tenor or Baritenor with a solid high A.

Flounder: To play a boy fish of 10 - 12 who can sing and move well. A little fish in a big pond. A faithful friend small enough to look up to the little mermaid, Ariel. What he lacks in courage he more than makes up for in enthusiasm. Vocal range: Boy soprano with good pop sensibility. Belt to a strong D.

Flotsam and Jetsam: To play 20’s or 30’s. Two eels, high-voltage low-lifes who are Ursula’s lackeys and partners in crime. Ssslippery, ssslimy sssnakes in the (sea) grass. Good comic actors and good movers.
Vocal range: Light seductive tenor to B with falsetto to a high D.


EDIT: If this is not appropriate...please remove or ask me to do so. Thanks!


Updated On: 2/15/14 at 12:50 AM

[theactorsociety]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 1:09pm

I hope she's good Updated On: 1/23/07 at 01:09 PM

[lady godiva]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 12:43am

Rumour is that the role of Ariel has been cast, & given to an unknown who recently graduated from BoCo.

[broadwaybaby4321]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 1:49am

Yeah. I heard today that all the offers have been made. Anybody hear of anyone who is doing it?

[lady godiva]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 1:55am

Chelsea Stock from BoCo was cast as Ariel, I believe.

[broadwaybaby4321]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 2:06am

Forgive my theatrical naivite, but what is BoCo? Boston College?

[Jilani]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 2:49am

Boston Conservatory? At least, there is a Chelsea Stock on facebook.com who is listed as Boston Conservatory class of '07 . . .

[AnythingCanHappen]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 3:09am

Anyone else find these descriptions a little cheesy?

overflowing with feelings that are fathoms deep

‘side-stepper’ by nature

Full of confidence, positivity, and, of course, feathers.

A little fish in a big pond.

high-voltage low-lifes... Ssslippery, ssslimy sssnakes in the (sea) grass.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 3:13am

The one that really got me was "confidence, positivity, and, of course, feathers." Is that necessary to include in what you're looking for?

And yes, BoCo is Boston Conservatory.

[DramaQueen700]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 3:22am

if chelsea stock did indeed get it, from her facebook picture, she looks ridiculously perfect for the part....very ariel. good im glad it went to an unknown. thats what this show needs.

[meg_giry]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 8:19am

i heard from anne mandrella for "ursula" and sierra boggess as "ariel"

[iheartamc10]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 10:35am

Jen Temen is awesome. She went to CCM and has a kick-a@@ belt.

[Zachary Goldfarb]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 12:21pm

Sherie Rene Scott is Ursula. As far as Ariel, too bad Lea Michele is tied up.

[baby4321]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 12:44pm

Just heard Michelle Lookado as one of Arial's sisters. Isn't she in MP now?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 12:59pm

I wonder if the score will be eligible. How much has to be new work?

[livelife]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 1:00pm

Sierra Boggess HAS been cast as Ariel.

[Broadway Dancer]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 1:05pm

The Lion King & Mary Poppins' scores were eligible, so I would think that The Little Mermaid's score would be eligible as well.

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 1:07pm

Uh... Yeah as much as I love Sherie Rene Scott, I really can't see her as Ursula. I don't know, i guess I always pictured ursula as a bit of a drag queen....
But maybe I've been watching too many John Waters movies!

It's been said a million and one times before, but I kinda would love to see Wayne Brady play Sebastian.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/19/07 at 1:18pm

She is also going to play the beautiful girl that she transforms herself into to steal Eric away from Ariel. SO it makes total sense.

Posted: 1/19/07 at 2:02pm

So, who is Ariel? I've heard many names tossed around.