The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid
Pre-Broadway Engagement
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Denver, CO 
July 26,- September 8, 2007

While we see a lot of Broadway tours in Denver, we don't get many Broadway try outs here. So it was very exciting to learn that Disney's The Little Mermaid would be in town for five weeks prior to it's Broadway premiere here.

My biggest concern with the production was the casting of Ariel. For me, Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in the movie, was irreplaceable. But my concerns were laid to rest quickly. Sierra Boggess was the perfect Ariel.

The biggest adjustment for me was the roller skates used by the cast to simulate the smooth swimming through water. The costume designers showed some creativity in designing the mermaid fins so the actors could stand upright and look like they are swimming, the costume for Flounder, Ariel's best friend, was lackluster.

Overall, the show maintains the charm of the movie. "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl" remain the huge production numbers. "Part of Your World" is still the signature song. The new songs added to the soundtrack are pleasant but not as memorable.

The cast is strong and they present the script changes believably. King Triton and Ursula are presented as siblings, which adds a new layer to the story. And rather than wait for her prince to save her, it is Ariel who conquers the sea witch.

While this probably wasn't an easy transition to stage for Disney, it's hard to imagine that they don't have another hit on their hands.

Wicked

Wicked
National Touring Company
Buell Theater
Denver, CO
May 9 - June 3, 2007

I read the book Wicked by Gregory Maguire year ago. I was less than impressed with it. Despite that, the previews I have seen of the musical version looked intriguing and I was looking forward to seeing it.

Wicked is the story of the witches of Oz, years before Dorothy Gale of Kansas met them. Only they are not the one-dimensional as the ones in the 1939 movie. These women are more like us. Glinda is the popular, cheerleader type and Elphaba is the smart, nerdy girl. Naturally, it's hate at first sight. The song "Loathing" demonstrates that perfectly.


The show is full of production numbers, but none better than "Defying Gravity," where Elphaba begins her turn to the character we are familiar with. But no song is more powerful than "For Good," the culmination of the friendship of Elphaba and Glinda.

Despite our preconceptions from The Wizard of Oz, our feelings about these characters change. We realize no one is all good or all wicked. The moral of the story is wicked is perception more than fact. I have no doubt most people will find a character to identify with here. It's a show about relationships and societal pressures, something most of us experience at one time or another.

The music is infectious and personal. The sets fantastic and the characters endearing. It's a powerful message of love and acceptance. But mostly it's about friendship. No wonder Wicked has struck a chord with so many audiences!