Disney-mania in Manila
By Mirava M. Yuson
The Philippine Star
December 05, 2011
MANILA, Philippines – One of the most commonly heard complaints about local stage productions is that they’re not “big” enough. What exactly they’re not big enough for is something never quite elaborated on. Presumably, naysayers are picturing falling chandeliers and giant clock faces when they imply lack of stage space (even though CCP was able to fit a life-sized helicopter onstage back in 2000), or worse, a lack of variety in capable performers who can fill the shoes of Broadway greats. Sadly, such claims only prove that characteristic Filipino self-deprecation is still alive and well.
It may be true that we have a bizarre love for scaffolding, as well as abstract backgrounds that can stand in for different locations (a colorful one can be the stained-glass windows of a church, for example, or a uniquely starry night). However, these tendencies for “minimalist,” mostly urban-set musicals, are an indication of progress rather than proof of hindrance.
As theater companies work their way up the Tony-winning roster of play rights — while mixing in Broadway classics that aren’t being performed anywhere else — we are getting closer and closer to the showstoppers many have been yearning for. If Atlantis Production’s The Little Mermaid is any indication, more space and a myriad of stage actors are not a matter we should be concerned over.
Although it is based on the world-renowned Disney film of the same title, which was released all the way back in 1989, the musical opened on Jan. 10, 2008 and is actually a fairly new creation. Alan Menken, who composed the movie’s original score, and Greg Slater collaborated on around ten new songs. And the soundtrack garnered them a Tony Award for Best Original Score.
Amidst the general air of Disney-brand nostalgia that’s been floating around (The Lion King 3D is here for a reason), The Little Mermaid was therefore one of the more fitting choices of musicals for families to enjoy while anticipating the holidays.
The play opens — literally — with a storybook, though the parallels to Hans Christian Andersen’s short story stop there. Nevertheless, for every adult ready to judge the on-stage depictions of long popular numbers such as Part Of Your World, I Kissed A Girl and Under The Sea, there would be a much younger counterpart that is, in all likelihood, discovering the magic for the first time.
And what a magical first time it was, thanks to Atlantis Productions’ and directors Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga’s efforts in maintaining topnotch production value. From the get-go, the bottom of the ocean floor was quite the spectacle. And if the sequined fins, wispy threads and more than 20 different species of fauna weren’t enough to bring color to Ariel’s world, glow-y appendages, shadow puppetry and a lot of sparkling props and costumes made memorable appearances, and were a sight even for seasoned eyes.
There are some notable differences from the animated movie version, naturally, most likely to justify bringing together such a large and diverse cast. Playing a slightly more demure Ariel is Rachelle Ann Go, while Erik Santos is love interest Prince Eric. The two characters provide solace for each other’s rather controlling families, and are woven together in a Cinderella-esque tale as Prince Eric tries to find the siren who serenaded him while he was sinking, and — you know the rest.
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MANILA, Philippines — Gossip Girl just heard from a fish in the sea that lead star of Little Mermaid Rachelle Ann Go is healing a broken heart. According to my sea urchin (did I say fish a while ago?), Rachelle Anne who happens to be a kapuso star was dating a kapamilya TV host just about the same size and age as she. But her broken heart did not at all affect her acting and musical performance as Ariel in Atlantis Productions of “The Little Mermaid.”
Given the very good track record of the people at Atlantis Productions with staging musicals, there was really no question that they would be able to pull off Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Still, the results proved to be such a joyous surprise. Sweet, magical and lots of fun, the show now running at the Meralco Theater up to Dec. 11 is a total delight for kids and adults alike. 
New York, November 24, 2011 — Manila-based theater company Atlantis Productions Inc.’s Asian premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid could have been a spectacular float addition in today’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Times Square.
MANILA, Philippines – Despite having grown up with Disney characters Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mickey Mouse, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Lion King, the Princess and the Frog all associated with Disney in one way or another, we had by some quirk of fate never been exposed to the delightful story of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. We were, therefore, entering an unfamiliar territory watching Atlantis Productions’ version of it at the Meralco Theatre until Dec. 11.
The musical opens with Prince Eric on a ship, and Mermaid Rachelle Ann spending time in (The World Above) instead of the undersea celebration of dad Calvin Millado as King Triton who had defeated evil sister Ursula, amazingly played by Jinky Llamanzares.
Later, Disney experienced the difficulty of having had to open these two commercial and critical Disney properties on Broadway at the same time that would divide audiences and cause competition between the two shows. They solved it by officially opening running Beauty and the Beast from 1994 and 2007 for 5,464 performances to become Broadway’s eighth-longest running production in history. The Little Mermaid subsequently opened on Broadway January 2008 closing August 2009 after 685 performances and 50 previews.
MANILA, Philippines — Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is set to premiere tomorrow night, the first time the well-loved musical is shown outside Broadway. For its Manila run, the cast is led by Erik Santos and Rachelle Ann Go.
Erik Santos Newsblog 