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I was somewhat skeptical of this album before I heard it. Scott's voice is much more bluesy and far more Broadway than the excellent Pat Carroll -- while Carroll was somewhat frightening as Ursula, Scott is a fun villainess that makes her nostalgic singing about ruling over her terrified subjects with black magic and cannibalism a real treat to listen to ("I Want the Good Times Back"). I have to apologize to my childhood memories, but Sierra Boggess has completely replaced Jodi Benson as Ariel in my mind; Sierra has an ethereal, soaring voice that captures all of the magic and youth of her character in a way that Benson never did.
When I heard that they were doing a Broadway version of it I was excited, until I heard some of the bad reviews for it. The story is also much more fleshed out here than in the movie, giving Ursula more history and motivation as well as showcasing Eric's feelings for Ariel much more than the movie ever did.Sean Palmer is a controlled and soaring contralto that injects Prince Eric with new life; Eric's splendid new song "Her Voice" becomes a desperate search for his mysterious rescuer in Palmer's lovely operatic voice. "The Little Mermaid" was my favorite Disney film growing up and I'd memorized the soundtrack before I was seven.
Her work on "Part of Your World" would have been enough to win her a Tony award had it not been such a competitive year.The new songs blend so well with the old that listening to the Broadway album is something like swimming into warmer waters in different parts of the ocean -- they intermix very easily. Since then, I discovered what an amazing job Broadway did with "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast," so I decided to give "The Little Mermaid" a try.And thank God that I did. "The Little Mermaid" is absolutely AMAZING, hands down.
Palmer very nearly outshines his fellow singers in the lovely quartet "If Only."The excellent casting continues with Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula. Also, Flotsam and Jetsam have been given a deeply creepy duet "Sweet Child" that aids their characters immensely.Tituss Burgess is just as good as the original Sebastian, and even Ariel's sisters are given slightly bigger parts as they sing the punchy Broadway head-bopper "She's in Love."From the delightful new material such as "She's in Love," "I Want the Good Times Back," and "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" to our beloved classics "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl," and "Poor Unfortunate Souls;" from the brilliantly wistful "If Only" or "Her Voice" to the deliciously creepy "Sweet Child" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls (Reprise)," "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway is a gorgeous achievement that lulls you gently into its magical world like the ocean rocking you to sleep.It is a journey well worth taking.
I just got this yesterday, and so far I love it. Sierra Boggess as Ariel is a perfect fit in my mind, a big role to fill because of Jodi Benson's performance in the movie, but she brings enthusiasm and a clear voice that soars when it needs to without losing the character. I really love all of the songs they have added for his character and he sings them with a sense of ease and the proper emotions for the role. I gave it only four stars because some of the new songs just don't seem to mesh as well with the original music as I want them to. I love her in other things, but I just think her voice is too high and clear to fully embody the part. The songs themselves are all amazing, but a few of them ("I want the Good Times Back", and "Positoovity" especially) just don't seem to fit with the overall sense of the musical. The vocals are awesome: everyone sings incredibly. Sean Palmer as Eric is wonderful.
I must say though that growing up with the original Little Mermaid and then recently watching it (a bunch). with my toddlers has probably closed my mind a little. I really don't think I prefer Sherrie Rene Scott as Ursula.Which sort of makes me sad. She sings the songs well; vocally she's all there, but I just don't think she carries the same umph that Pat Carroll brings to the movie.My favorite new songs are "She's In Love", "Her Voice", and "Beyond My Wildest Dreams", they fill out musically the story we all know and love.All in all I love the musical and I fully expect for it to grow on me even more as I listen to it.
The new work is excellent and seamless with the original score. I loved the original movie and was skeptical about this new Broadway musical, especially after such movie-to-Broadway shows like Shrek and Tarzan. The new material is reason alone to buy this album. Tituss Burgess, I feel, is a much better Sebastian; he is brill in Under the Sea. I love the emotion in it. The new material given to Ursela really gives more depth to the character.
Also Scuttle's songs are fun. However, I was blown away. I absolutely love songs given to Eric. This seems like a running theme throughout the musical, which is something I can appreciate as an adult. Sierra Boggess is a very good Ariel, and while she is not Jodi Benson, she brings her own flair to the role. However, hands down the If Only (Quartet) is the best song in the musical.
Overall, I would say this album is definitely worth the download cost.
Forget about the movie and enjoy it for what it is, an interpretation from a movie. The rest of the cast was the original so I HAD ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES ON BROADWAY SINCE WATCHING BEAUTY AND THE BEAST WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST MINUS THE BEAST.The people all around (adults) had their mouths openned by the end of the first act. The sequence of events also changes, to adapt to the main idea of GIRL POWER(quoted from another reviewer).The performances were DELIGHTFUL AND BEYOND COMPARED. The introduction of Ariel is with the song the world above and siera gets my 5 stars for being the real mermaid. and the rest of the cast does an EXTRAORDINARY job in this wonderful musical, fill with color and magic.I am a mermaid fan, since the moment I watched the movie in January of 1990. To have waited all this time for the musical was WELL WORTH THE WAIT.The show takes a different take on the story and it touches on what we discovered in Ariel's Beginning of the human / mer world. There are billboards around bus stops in NYC that read "The Mermaid Effect" and show the picture of a little girl sitting in a theatre with her mouth wide openned.Ladies and Gentleman that is indeed the effect from watching this show. The power of this musical you can feel it from the moment the overture begins, its Disney magic.
and you do not know what you missed with Shery Renee Scott. So the billboard was completely true. they are big shoes to fill, but Disney will do a good job with the replacement.Eric gets some songs and he is very wonderful with the material given. and people you really do not know what you missed, enjoy her performance on this CD. A lot of reviwers complained about Triton being black, the fact that he and ursula are brothers, and other minor details that in my opinion DO NOT DIMINISHED the enjoyment of this show.Siera is ARIEL, in all senses of the word. so its not a part of your world, that some people complained.
I am sorry to tell you that Shery Renee Scott is no longer Ursula. I got to see the under study of Sebastian, and he was amazing, I could not tell the difference from the CD. If you take a child take the time to explain to them, what they are going to see and you will see the same effect on them, as the crowd when I went.Ursula gets more songs as well. He really shines with the quartet "If Only".I have to say get the CD, GO SEE THE SHOW and prepared yourself for THE MERMAID EFFECT.
I really enjoy this recording, but I wouldn't promise that everyone else will. It contains songs from the movie as well as some new, catchy songs. I have heard the soundtracks for many other Disney Broadway shows, and while they are certainly good, I'd have to say that this is my favorite. Then I got on again today and checked and the only copies left were again $10. I don't even know how to describe how fun his songs are. However, yesterday several people were selling it for $2--used and new.
Sierra Boggess shines in her role as Ariel. But for someone who hasn't, a good recording is even better. Her voice is young and fresh, but sounds similar enough to Jodi Benson's that I can easily accept that it is Ariel singing. Sherie Rene Scott as Ursual, though, is the female cast member who really impresses me. This soundtrack is certainly a gem. I actually like to listen to "Poor Unfortunate Souls" now. And Tituss Burgess as Sebastian is superb.
For people who love the original movie and music, this may be a waste of time. I do enjoy the originals, but I'm also open to new things. I have to highly disagree. I haven't seen the show.in fact, I've never seen any Broadway show. If you like different versions of songs and such, or if you enjoy Broadway, I think there is a good chance you'll like this recording.
I read a review that said her voice is like that of a high-school performer's. While it is a much younger voice than the original Ursula, I think it is fantastic. NOTE: As of March 2009, this soundtrack is being sold Used and New on amazon for about $10. Check back everyday if you really want a good deal and don't mind a used copy.
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