Tonight I enjoying listening to the world premiere of the cast recording of Disney Theatricals' The Little Mermaid on Playbill Radio. They offered the melodies along with cast interviews where the performers had the opportunity to introduce their characters and share a special view of the Broadway show.
Listening to the cast I was struck from time to time by similarities to the film's cast vocally especially Sierra Boggess to Jodi Benson and Scuttle's Eddie Korbich to Buddy Hackett whose voice performance defines the scattlebrained seagull to me.
During one of the cast interviews, Sebastian's Tituss Burgess spoke about the wheeled shoes used to bring energy and fluid motion to the choreography of "Under the Sea". These shoes instead of rollerblades provide a greater versatility which sounded cool to me. It could allow for dancing and gliding. He also explained that the song's key was shifted higher as he is a high tenor. The high energy melody sounds fun with lots of percussion and brass. I missed hearing "Part of Your World" so I'll have to wait for the soundtrack's release next month.
Among the new songs I was particularly fond of was "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" sung by Ariel as she explores Eric's kingdom. Dreams reflects the same exuberant fascination about simple things that made Giselle so endearing in Enchanted and is taken from one of my favorite melodies in The Little Mermaid. I believe its Tour of the Kingdom. The song is actually sung as a view into her thoughts as her character is a mute during this portion of the story. Doobie didn't care for that song or my favorite of the new ones I heard, "Positoovity" sung by Scuttle and several seagulls as they encourage Ariel in her efforts to walk with her new legs. It seems to be a song setup for a vaudeville style tap dance. A few other new songs I enjoyed were "She's in Love" what I'd call a doo-wop style song sung by Daughters of Triton about their love sick sister Ariel and the dramatic "The World Above" sung by Triton (Norm Lewis) about the evils of the world above. Imagine all the fury and power of Triton's fit in the Grotto but in melody. Since I haven't seen the show I don't know where this song fits in the tale. It was strange to listen to the cast recording as many of the melodies were familiar since they were part of the score in the animated film but having not seen the new Broadway show I am left to my own imagination for how they are staged.
Sherie Rene Scott's Ursula as featured in the recording of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" was more of a street wise baddy than the Shakespearean style that Pat Carroll brought to the part but it felt right as I listened.
I've never listened to a soundtrack for a show prior to seeing it so it will be interesting to see how my imagination differs its staging should I make my way to theater. Be sure to visit Playbill.com for more information about the Little Mermaid including stills and interviews with the cast during rehearsals.