STUDY GUIDEGUIDE Directed by Francesca Zambello Prepared by Disney Theatrical Productions Education Department WELCOME to the LITTLE MERMAID! TABLE of CONTENTS
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? ©Disney Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater Book by Doug Wright STUDYSTUDY GUIDEGUIDE Directed by Francesca Zambello Prepared by Disney Theatrical Productions Education Department WELCOME TO THE LITTLE MERMAID! TABLE OF CONTENTS “UP WHERE THEY WALK UP WHERE THEY RUN “I’LL TELL YOU A TALE OF THE BOTTOMLESS BLUE…” UP WHERE THEY STAY ALL DAY IN THE SUN – The Sailors, “FATHOMS BELOW” WANDERIN’ FREE WISH I COULD BE Throughout the guide, you will see quotes from PART OF THAT WORLD” – Ariel, “PART OF YOUR WORLD” The Little Mermaid. Discuss how these quotes are connected to the exercises. HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE Just as humanity is made up of diverse cultures and races, the sea holds thousands of creatures A FISH OUT OF WATER? In the of every shape and size. Director Francesca Broadway production of The Little Mermaid, Ariel, Zambello felt it was important that the watery the mermaid princess, wants to break out of her kingdom of The Little Mermaid be a refl ection of INFO SHEETS everyday existence and explore new worlds. For our world today. Thus Zambello assembled a cast Sharing these with your class or group BEFORE seeing the show will a mermaid, she longs for the impossible: to feel 4-17 of performers, as she commented, “of all shapes enrich your experience when you visit The Little Mermaid! the sunshine on her face and dry land beneath her and sizes and cultural backgrounds.” “We’ve been feet. As with the popular Disney animated fi lm blessed,” she continued, “to fi nd a wide range of version based on the classic tale by Hans Christian incredibly talented actors and actresses to bring CLASS PROJECT: Andersen, The Little Mermaid portrays the this show to its fi rst incarnation.” powerful desire for young people to be in charge BRINGING THE LITTLE MERMAID TO LIFE! Use these activities to bring The Little Mermaid to life in your of their own destiny ― but still with the support “Everyone yearns at some point in their life,” and guidance from others who care. says Francesca Zambello, “to be something, to classroom! WHO? (the characters), WHAT? (the plot), WHERE? 18-36 go somewhere, to discover something that’s not (the setting), WHEN? (the story’s time period), WHY? (theme and Although The Little Mermaid takes place in a part of what they are.” Whether learning new motivation) magical undersea world, the story is grounded in things or meeting new people, students have many real-life feelings and desires. The Little Mermaid is opportunities to challenge themselves every day. a story about yearning: that feeling you get deep By watching Ariel fearlessly follow her dreams, COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS inside when you want something that’s just out young people may be inspired to pursue their own. 37 of reach. In The Little Mermaid, Ariel breaks away How does The Little Mermaid connect with your world? from her community and her family to follow her dreams. Everyone in her life – from her family to RESOURCES her friends – expects her to conform to a certain A list of texts, videos/DVDs, recordings and websites for further behavior. However, Ariel has to follow her heart. 38 Prince Eric has a similar problem: he is expected to exploration into the world of The Little Mermaid! “settle down” and accept the responsibilities of the throne, but all he wants is a life of adventure at sea. Both Ariel and Prince Eric are outsiders, “fi sh out of water,” because their dreams go Variations against their society’s norms. Look for this shell for suggested variations on exercises and activities! Score: a written or printed piece of music. Throughout the The Little Mermaid guide, look for Sierra Boggess (Ariel) photo by: Per Breiehagen defi nitions of words you may not know! A NOTE ON LEARNING OBJECTIVES: • Each exercise includes a box with Learning Objectives. These objectives are adapted from National Standards 22 and the New York City Blueprints for the Arts. See the Resources section for website links. 3 INFOSHEET INFOSHEET STORY SYNOPSIS STORY SYNOPSIS (continued) Our story begins as Prince Eric After Triton criticizes her for going up to the Discouraged without a voice or the ability to On the third day, Grimsby gathers princesses from surface, Ariel retreats to her grotto where she control her new legs, Ariel is quickly “reorientated” across the land to sing for Prince Eric, but none tirelessly searches the seas for stores her beloved collection of human objects by Scuttle and the rest of the seagulls possess the enchanting voice (“The Contest”). the source of an enchanting (“Part of Your World”). Ariel swims to the surface (“Positoovity”). While out for some exercise, Eric With the sun setting, Ariel desperately steps voice, despite the protests of his guardian, to see the ship and admire Prince Eric on deck. stumbles upon the helpless Ariel and carries her forward and… “dances” for Eric, who is smitten. Grimsby (“Fathoms Below”). Far beneath them, When thunder rips through the sky and lightning back to the palace. Overwhelmed by the splendor But before they can kiss, Ursula storms the palace the crab Sebastian has prepared a concert for the strikes the ship (“Storm at Sea”), Eric falls around her – and the proximity to the object of her and takes Ariel back to the depths of the sea as merfolk to mark the singing debut of Ariel, King overboard and begins to drown. Ariel saves the affection – Ariel fi nds a melody for her thoughts a mermaid. When Triton appears and demands Triton’s youngest child (“Daughters of Triton”). unconscious prince and brings him to shore (“Part (“Beyond My Wildest Dreams”). Ariel’s release, Ursula forces him to trade his power of Your World” Reprise). for his daughter’s life (“Poor Unfortunate Souls” However, the mischievous Ariel is nowhere to Preparing a seafood spread in the kitchen, Chef Reprise). Ariel ultimately overcomes and destroys be found. Ariel has been spying on humans with Back in Triton’s court, Ariel’s sisters have noticed Louis discovers Sebastian, a crustaceous intruder Ursula. Finally witnessing Ariel’s determination and her fi sh friend Flounder (“The World Above”) and her preoccupation and grill Flounder for the scoop (“Les Poissons”). Ariel entertains Eric and Grimsby Eric’s good nature, Triton uses his power to make listening to her seagull friend Scuttle lecture about (“She’s in Love”). On shore, Eric scans the waters with her naïve antics then joins the mêlée as her permanently human to be with Prince Eric the objects she’s found (“Human Stuff”). In a deep, for his savior (“Her Voice”). Thus Grimsby suggests Louis and his coterie of chefs chase Sebastian (“If Only” Reprise). Triton unites the mer-world dark corner of the ocean, the sea witch Ursula and a contest to fi nd the owner of the mysterious around the dining room (“Les Poissons” Reprise). and the human world together for one day to her lackey eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, bemoan their voice. King Triton, furious about Ariel’s contact While walking her to her room, Eric teaches Ariel celebrate Ariel and Eric’s happy marriage. exile and plot to regain power from Triton using with a human, destroys all the precious objects in to communicate without words - through the Ariel as bait (“I Want the Good Times Back”). her grotto (“The World Above” Reprise). Feeling language of dance (“One Step Closer”). Ursula sorry for his new charge, Sebastian tries to cheer sends her eels to interfere with Ariel’s rapid up Ariel with the wonders of the ocean (“Under progress after only one day (“I Want the Good the Sea”). Times Back” Reprise).” Unconvinced, Ariel leaves home and Late in the second day, Eric takes Ariel for a is greeted by Flotsam and Jetsam boat ride on the lagoon, where (“Sweet Child”), who escort Sebastian leads the her to the sea witch’s animals in a romantic lair. Ursula opens up serenade (“Kiss the Girl”). her octopus tentacles – Flotsam and Jetsam spoil and her dark powers the mood by sending a – granting Ariel’s jolt of electricity through wish to be human, the boat, blocking the near but at a high price: kiss (“Sweet Child” Reprise). in exchange for Later, Sebastian laments her voice, Ariel the poor girl’s situation, and has three days in Triton worries about his missing Broadway Cast human form to get daughter (“If Only” Quartet). Proximity: the region close Sierra Boggess (Ariel) Prince Eric to kiss her With their options running out, to or around a person or thing Norm Lewis (Triton) (“Poor Unfortunate Sebastian and Flounder return to Melee: confusion, turmoil Bemoan: to express Souls”). Triton’s court and reluctantly tell theCoterie: kin an exclusive group distress or grief the king of Ariel’s circumstances. or clique 4 4 55 INFOSHEET INFOSHEET MEET SOME OF THE CHARACTERS THEMES: WHAT IS A MYTH? “I’M TELLING YA, LAD, WHEN KING TRITON IS MAD HOW THE WAVES’LL BUCK, ROCK TO AND FRO” – Pilot, “FATHOMS BELOW” Ariel: A mermaid on the verge of maturity: innocent, headstrong, spirited and overfl owing with feelings Myths are stories used to explain life’s mysteries. Before the coming of that are fathoms deep. She dares to dream about being in a different world, the world on land above science, civilizations interpreted the world around them through myths. Each culture has had its own the sea. myths to explain natural phenomena, provide inspiration, and teach lessons about ourselves and the world around us. King Triton: The son of Poseidon, King of the Undersea World, and father to Ariel and her sisters.