NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Disney Theatrical Productions) - Last night, the curtain went up at the Lunt-Fontanne (205 West 46th Street) for Broadway's most-anticipated new musical, THE LITTLE MERMAID, presented by Disney Theatrical Productions. The stage production is based on the beloved Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. (THE LITTLE MERMAID began performances on Broadway, Saturday, November 3, 2007, after selling-out its seven-week, pre-Broadway engagement at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.) vThe glimmering opening night audience included guests Rosie O' Donnell, Kathie Lee & Frank Gifford, Joel Grey,
Patricia Clarkson,
Mario Cantone, Jacob Young and the original character voices from the beloved animated film, Jodi Benson and Pat Carroll (Ariel and Ursula respectively), all of whom leapt to their feet as the cast delivered show-stopping performances, including the signature number "Under the Sea." But, it was musical theater aficionado O'Donnell who led the uproarious, emotional standing ovation as Denver-native
Sierra Boggess, in her Broadway debut as "Ariel," and Sherie Rene Scott as "Ursula" took their bows, along with the rest of the Broadway cast. They join the roster of recent celebrity visitors at THE LITTLE MERMAID including Christie Brinkley,
Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick, Teri Hatcher,
Vanessa Williams, Cameron Mathison, Emily Osment and Renee Fleming, all of whom visited back stage at the show and signed the illustrious "Wave of Fame" wall.
Robert Iger (Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company), Dick Cook (Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios) and Executive Producer Thomas Schumacher (President, Disney Theatrical Productions), treated their cast, crew, creative team and guests to a very special Mermaid celebration at New York's famed Roseland Ballroom.
Boggess, 25, was lucky enough to be made "princess" twice in one night, draped in vintage Verdura jewels and a satin, oyster-colored Calvin Klein gown. Boggess lived the ultimate fairy tale dream as "Ariel" became the latest Disney princess to firmly plant her "feet" on Broadway.
The show's stars including Sherie Rene Scott (Ursula), Sean Palmer (Prince Eric), Norm Lewis (King Triton), Tituss Burgess (Sebastian), Eddie Korbich (Scuttle), Jonathan Freeman (Grimsby), Derrick Baskin (Jetsam), Tyler Maynard (Flotsam), all celebrated with special Mer-tini themed-cocktails, and dined under draped blue canopies, evoking the feeling of an underwater lair.
Schumacher warmly thanked his cast, creative team and collaborators, including composer Alan Menken, director Francesca Zambello, playwright Doug Wright and choreographer Stephen Mear for helping to create Broadway history.
The production had even more reason to celebrate as THE LITTLE MERMAID was invited to perform two classic numbers on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Friday, January 11: star Boggess singing the indelible ballad "Part of Your World," and Tituss Burgess leading the cast in the Academy Award-winning song "Under the Sea."
ABOUT THE SHOW
THE LITTLE MERMAID takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where 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.
The Broadway score of THE LITTLE MERMAID features the classic songs: "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award(R)-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea," composed by eight-time Academy Award(R) winner Alan Menken and his longtime collaborator, the late Howard Ashman, as well as 10 new songs by Mr. Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award(R)-winning playwright Doug Wright. The show is helmed by award-winning director Francesca Zambello with choreography by Oliver Award winner Stephen Mear.
The company of 37 also includes: Trevor Braun, Brian D'Addario, Cody Hanford and J.J. Singleton alternating as "Flounder," Adrian Bailey, Cathryn Basile, Heidi Blickenstaff, James Brown III, Robert Creighton, Cicily Daniels, John Treacy Egan, Tim Federle, Merwin Foard, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Ben Hartley, Meredith Inglesby, Michelle Lookadoo, Joanne Manning, Alan Mingo, Jr., Zakiya Young Mizen, Betsy Morgan, Arbender J. Robinson, Bret Shuford, Jason Snow, Chelsea Morgan Stock, Kay Trinidad, Price Waldman and Daniel J. Watts.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
THE LITTLE MERMAID performs Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2pm, and Sunday matinees at 3pm. The running time is 2 hours, 25 minutes with one, 15-minute intermission.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets range in price from $51.50-$121.50 (all prices include a $1.50 facility fee).
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747, online at https://www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, or in-person at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).
CAST ALBUM RECORDING
Walt Disney Records will release THE LITTLE MERMAID original Broadway cast recording on Tuesday, February 26.
Online visit, https://www.DisneyOnBroadway.com
