The Little Mermaid: A Broadway Musical: From the Deep Blue Sea to the Great White Way

by Michael Lassell

From its first publication as a fairy tale told by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid has been enthralling children and adults alike with its story of the transforming power of love. In 1989, Disney put little Ariel on film, gave her flaming red hair and an Oscar-winning musical score, and, in the process, reinvented the animated feature as a viable art form. Now the creative powers at Disney have reimagined the mermaid and her friends again, bringing one of Disney’s most beloved princesses to the stage. The Little Mermaid :
The Story of a Tale is a look at the process of morphing a 19th-century story and a 20th-century film into a stage event for the 21st century. This oversized, profusely illustrated book traces the evolution of The Little Mermaid from its inception in Denmark, through its triumphant animation, to the hit Broadway stage version now playing in New York. In addition to photographs of the show and its rehearsals, the book will explore the creative process with extensive looks behind the scenes. Writer Michael Lassell interviews Francesca Zambello and choreographer Steven Mear, writer Doug Wright and composer Alan Menken, designers George Tsypin and Tanya Noginova as well as all the stars in the show’s extraordinarily talented cast. This is a grown-up book for children of all ages.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mermaids

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2008

About the author

Michael Lassell has written extensively in the fields of design, travel, the arts and GLBT studies. His poetry, stories, essays, and reviews have appeared in newspapers, magazines, books, journals and anthologies in the U.S. and abroad, as well as numerous college and university textbooks.

He has been most often anthologized for his poem, written at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, "How to Watch Your Brother Die."

His work behind the scenes on Broadway with Disney have been described as some of the most honest accounts of production life.

He was the features director of "Metropolitan Home" from 1992 until 2009. And has served as managing editor of Interview and L.A. Style magazines, as well as a theater critic for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and L.A. Weekly.

Lassell currently resides in Greenwich Village, New York City.

Also writes as Michael Lewis.

Reviews

[Ava Lyczkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a huge fan, but it was funny. And not funny because it was supposed to be funny, but funny because I was constantly laughing at how awkward and sterile the dialogue was.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes I do count plays and musicals as books ya freaks.
WHAT WOULD I GIVE TO LIVE WHERE YOU AREEEEE

[Rachel Hunter]

Beautiful book which gives a insight into how the Broadway show was adapted from the original disney classic, and how it refers to the original material. Such fabulous photos too! Wish I could have seen the show.