by Alan Menken has once again ignited the hope that the musical adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid will come to Great Britain.
It was 17 years ago since the show on Broadway with theater stars Sierra Bogges, standard Lewis and Tituss Burgess made their debut under the original line -up.
In recent years there have been a number of international productions (minus the Heely Shoes Broadway to give the illusion of swimming on stage), but it still has no splash on these shores.
The story, which is loosely based on the Danish fairy tale of 1837 by Hans Christian Andersen, follows a teenager -meaner’s prince named Ariel, who dreams of becoming human and falling in love with a human prince called Eric. She then exchanges her voice with an evil Seegas who tells her that she only has three days to fall in love with Eric, or her soul will belong to her.
Composer Menken worked with the original Disney animated film from 1989 with the late copywriter Howard Asman. It won his first Oscar for the best score and he and Asman also recorded the best song for Calypso-Styled under the sea.
Then, two decades later, the Little Mermaid was adapted for the stage, whereby Menken brought in Glenn Slater on board with which he wrote ten new songs. Production began prerequisite at the end of 2007, but was hit by a number of hooks, including the Broadway stabilizer from 2007, which had temporarily forced it. His official opening date was also pushed back from December 2007 to January 2008.
The show ran for 685 performances and 50 views before closing the following year. Thomas Schumacher, producer and president of Disney Theater Productions:
Menken -who was also significantly involved in Disney’s live action film by Disney, he says that he will be “shocked” if the Little Mermaid will not have come here “in the next few years”.
“I assume that it will be,” he said. “I think there is now a revision. There was also revised after Broadway. There were aspects of production that we have improved immensely since then, and I think there is more work.
“I have to say that Disney Theater and Thomas Schumacher were fantastic in keeping these shows fresh, keeping them alive and bringing them into the world. I am very grateful for the team that will work on it. I would be shocked if it weren’t open in London in the next few years, but we will see. “
The fans hope to scrape a little more when Menken takes the stage in the capital for two shows on March 9 – a matinee and an evening performance – that deals with his famous career, which extends over 40 years.
They promise to be an unforgettable experience with the New York-native touch of his time before and in the center of the Disney Renaissance (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, etc.) and also with his current projects, including a live campaign and stage adjustment of Disney, musical of night in the museum, Animal Farm and Nancy Drew. In addition, two Disney musicals this summer will give their highly expected West End debut with Hercules in June in the Royal Dry Lane in Threatre and a specially staged concert by Hunchback from Notre Dame in the Prince Edward Theater on August 17.
For more tickets and to buy tickets to see a whole new world of Alan Menkenvisit www.aegspresents.co.uk
