Inside Disney's New Theatrical Take on The Little Mermaid Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

Jun 10, 2024 in "The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure"

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The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure concept art

Posted: Monday June 10, 2024 12:21pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has shared more information today as it prepares to debut an all-new theatrical production, "The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure," this fall at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure concept art

The new production will feature entirely new physical sets, a cast of puppets, live performers, and striking visuals. Sarah Schmidt, Creative Concept Artist & Illustrator for Disney Live Entertainment, shared insights into the creative process: "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. This new look really informed every design decision – from scenic, to the puppets, even the custom digital content being created for the show."

To create this artful blend of practical and projected scenic design, the team is integrating traditional methods like blacklight puppetry with state-of-the-art technology. Show Director James Silson explained the innovative approach: "We're using some really cutting-edge tools like motion capture technology, which you may have seen used in blockbuster films. 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."

The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure concept art

This advanced digital imagery will enhance the show, bringing characters such as King Triton, Ursula, and Ariel's sisters to life. The production will kick off with an all-new "Daughters of Triton" number, showcasing the integration of digital and physical elements. "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," Silson added. "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!"

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ChrisFL58 minutes ago

so, about the little mermaid show...

Ice Gator14 hours ago

There were a few clever jokes when they visit the internet, but I can’t get past the main selling point of the movie being a big Disney+ (or in this case the now defunct Oh My Disney) advertisement. My main issue beyond that is the character assassination of Ralph. They really turned him into a whiny doofus who at times was really creepy with his obsession over Vanellope in this one- Ralph was a completely different character in the first movie. He was a little rough around the edges, but wasn’t stupid by any means. I don’t know why they felt the need to make him so unlikeable in the sequel.

Gusey19 hours ago

I know that this show is definitely happening, but it would have been nice to see a different property get turned into a stage show. Hopefully, when Beauty and the Beast finally gets replaced, it's not with another Beauty and the Beast stage show

Rhinocerous20 hours ago

I thought Frozen 2 was mixed bag. The story was very uneven. On the other hand, I really like Lost in the Woods, and I've heard Into the Unknown so many times that it has grown on me. Unlike The Little Mermaid, which is an inarguable classic. (On topic. Nailed it!)

Casper Gutman21 hours ago

There really aren’t any “objective measures” regarding the quality of art. Critical consensus can be useful, but as I said you have to account for the individual and institutional biases of the critics.

Casper Gutman22 hours ago

I’ll admit I was unaware of how hard they were pushing Into the Unknown. That’s fair.

Gusey22 hours ago

Still Frozen 2 is still represented at the Disney Parks to this day, they weren't just temporary additions to promote Frozen 2 but permanent additions to the parks. I do think that after Moana, there was an issue with creating great stories in Disney films, but I've still enjoyed the recent movies. They aren't masterpieces but still fun to watch, and sometimes movies just need to be that. Frozen 2 and Raya and the Last Dragon both had the same issue where the plot seemed to be about finding different things in different locations to make one big thing to stop an environmental threat, rather than having a human conflict like the first Frozen does. At least Encanto, stands out for the human conflict being a priority for the plot

BrianLo22 hours ago

I dunno, I think Frozen 2 is also mediocre/was a let down. I'm just trying to not be hyperbolic and was looking at the more objective measures.

Casper Gutman22 hours ago

You, of course, are not “dug in.” A few of the films I listed might fairly be labeled “mediocre.” This is not inconsistent with their being significantly better than Frozen 2. It’s worth noting I really, really like Frozen. I was not in any way, shape, or form inclined to dislike the sequel. My opinion was entirely shaped by the quality of the movie.

BrianLo22 hours ago

Luminous, Believe! Sea of Dreams and DHS' Fantasmic (but you'd have to have seen that one)... honestly, you are really digging yourself into a hole on this one. Fantasy Springs locale is technically set after the events of Frozen 2, anemically. It's a bit disingenuous when the film only came out in 2019 and the physical Frozen projects pre-date that. But it's very present in most of their new night shows.

Casper Gutman22 hours ago

Magic Happens debuted three months after Frozen 2 debuted in theaters and the float looks to be half Frozen 1 anyway. The Hong Kong show seems to be an original story that does integrate elements of 2… with music from the first film.

BrianLo22 hours ago

This is all your opinion... but I know you are arguing from a place of being already dug in to your position on this movie. My nostalgia and some iconography aside, I personally (my opinion) think a lot of those movies you've listed are also mediocre. Though perhaps a few would fall above Frozen 2, I'd rank many below. I wouldn't say that's remotely laughable.

Gusey22 hours ago

The only version of Anna and Elsa you can meet @ WDW are the ones in their Frozen 2 outfits. The whole Frozen float in Magic Happens at Disneyland is based on Frozen 2, not Frozen. The Playhouse in the Woods at Hong Kong Disneyland is solely based on Frozen 2. It's ok if you don't like the film, but Frozen has staying power and both films are represented in the parks.

Casper Gutman22 hours ago

I’m very familiar with Disney’s historical output. Critical consensus misses the mark frequently, especially when a film is linked to an incredibly popular IP like Frozen. I adore the MCU and will defend it against a lot of criticism, but the “tomato” rating of pre Phase 4 films was inflated about 10%. Looking at this list, the idea that Frozen is better then Alice in Wonderland, Ichabod and Mr Toad, The Rescuers, The Great Mouse Detective, Fox and the Hound, Melody Time, Hunchback, Fun and Fancy Free, Treasure Planet, Sword in the Stone, Aristocats, Robin Hood, Oliver and Company, etc. is utterly laughable. The only comparable non-TV spinoff, theatrical release Disney animated films (and Ducktales: The Movie, at least, is better by a significant margin) are Dinosaur, Home on the Range, Chicken Little, and Wish. What this list actually demonstrates is how wrong critical consensus at the moment of a film’s release can be. Frozen 2 is a bad movie, regardless of box office. It is unfocused and soulless with no reason to exist beyond the mercenary. It is very poorly written, with weak plotting, songs, and characterization. There’s a reason its presence in the parks is practically nonexistent.