A Sneak Peek at “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” Coming This Summer

There’s lots of excitement heading our way this year at Walt Disney World, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be kicking things off with some “under the sea” magic! The air (sea?) will be filled with bubbles this summer when “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” makes its long awaited debut! This all-new theatrical production is of course inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic The Little Mermaid, and promises to take you on an undersea adventure that will leave you spellbound.

This fully reimagined show will take the audience to Ariel’s treasure trove. Fans of the previous show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, will be glad to know that the lively puppets, props, and scenery so beloved in the original will still be a big part of the show. But new to this production, get ready to be dazzled with new digital puppetry and jaw-dropping effects…as well as the addition of new songs!

The new show will take place in the same theater in Animation Courtyard, where Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian, Prince Eric, and others will take to the stage to retell the classic story of The Little Mermaid. But this won’t just be a simple refreshing of the former production! The fully reimagined show will feature stunning set pieces, imaginative costumes, cutting-edge effects, skillful puppetry, and a bold new design aesthetic that captures Ariel’s imagination and emotions through her unique view of the world around her.

Sing Along!

They say life is better down where it’s wetter for a reason. Why? The songs of course! You’ll get to sing along to classic favorites like “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World,” just as in the original show. But you’ll also get to enjoy two new-to-this-show musical numbers: “Daughters of Triton” (which will be sung by Ariel’s sisters) and “Kiss the Girl.” And if you feel like humming (or singing!) along…go for it!

Both of the new songs were part of the soundtrack for The Little Mermaid, written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. “Kiss the Girl” was sung by Samuel E. Wright in his role as Sebastian, while “Daughters of Triton” was sung by Kimmy Robertson (who had previously voiced the Featherduster in Beauty and the Beast, a maid and Lumière’s sweetheart who was transformed like the other inhabitants of the castle. Kimmy is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Lucy Moran in the TV series Twin Peaks).

New Puppets!

As mentioned, the show will be featuring some new puppets, and Disney gave Guests a sneak peek at two of them last summer. One of them was Max, Prince Eric’s dog, while the other was a green, pink, and purple turtle (to be used in one of the black-lit sequences).

In addition to state-of-the-art puppetry, the reimagined show will also incorporate digital imagery and motion capture technology to bring characters like King Triton, Ursula, and Ariel’s sisters to life.

“We’re using some really cutting-edge tools like motion capture technology, which you may have seen used in blockbuster films,” said James Silson, Show Director. “Basically, we have a live performer in a suit covered in sensors, and the data captured from their performance helps us create a digital animation of the character, which our animators then use to bring them to life on stage.”

But wait, that’s not all! Ursula herself will also appear live on stage!

The new technology will also be used to bring the world of The Little Mermaid to life right before your eyes. “We thought about what Ariel’s room may look like and came up with this collage style that you’ll see woven throughout the production,” said Sarah Schmidt, Creative Concept Artist & Illustrator for Disney Live Entertainment. “This new look really informed every design decision – from scenic, to the puppets, even the custom digital content being created for the show.”

“We’re really blending the line between real and digital in ways we’ve never done before to completely fill the stage for these show-stopping scenes,” added Silson. “You’re going to see these large new physical set pieces we’ve created blend seamlessly with a digital environment in a way that really fills the stage. You’ll see digital puppets transform into real ones right before your eyes. You’ll even see animated characters performing in the same space as real actors. It’s going to feel like magic!”

Let the Show Begin!

If you want to be first in line to see the new show, swim on down to Hollywood Studios on May 27 (or jump on the Skyliner, or take a bus or boat)! But if you’re one of those poor, unfortunate souls who can’t make it on opening day, don’t worry! With multiple showtimes each day, you’ll have plenty of chances to experience the magic of The Little Mermaid live on stage.

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