The Little Mermaid: pinciple cast announced

The priniple cast has been announced for Disney's The Little Mermaid, a new musical based on the Disney animated movie.

As previously announced Sierra Boggess is to star as 'Ariel', the musical's title role. Joining her are Sean Palmer as �Prince Eric,� Norm Lewis as �King Triton,� Tituss Burgess as �Sebastian, Eddie Korbich as �Scuttle,� Jonathan Freeman as �Grimsby,� Derrick Baskin as �Jetsam,� Tyler Maynard as �Flotsam,� Cody Hanford and J.J. Singleton as �Flounder,� and Sherie Ren� Scott as �Ursula.�

The Little Mermaid is to begin a seven week pre-Broadway engagement at Denver's Ellie Caulkins Opera House from 26 July 2007, before opening on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on the 6 Dec 2007, following previews from the 3 Nov 2007.

The musical will replace Walt Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which will end its 13 year Broadway run when it closes at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 29 Jul 2007.

Alan Menken, Tony Award nominee composer (Beauty and the Beast), in collaboration with his late musical partner Howard Ashman, wrote the music for the Disney film. The Little Mermaid, which will feature songs from the movie: Part of Your World, Kiss the Girl and the Academy Award - winning Best Original Song, Under the Sea; will feature nine new songs by Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.

Playwright Doug Wright has written the book for the musical, which is based upon the story by Hans Christian Andersen.

The show is to be directed by Francesca Zambello and feature choreography by Stephen Mear, with set design by George Tsypin, costumes by Tatiana Noginova and lighting design by Natasha Katz.

The Little Mermaid is loosely based upon the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Ariel, youngest daughter of King Triton, is dissatisfied with life in the sea. She longs to be with the humans above the surface, and is often caught in arguments with her father over those 'barbaric fish-eaters'. She goes to meet Ursula, the Sea Witch, to strike a deal, but Ursula has bigger plans for this mermaid and her father.

Sierra Boggess will be making her Broadway debut as Ariel, she currently stars as Christine in 'Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular.'

Sherie Ren� Scott (Ursula) last appeared on Broadway as Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005), her other Broadway credits include Aida (2000), Rent (1996), Grease (1994 revival) and The Who's Tommy (1993).

Sean Palmer (Prince Eric) was recently seen on Broadway in the musical The Apple Tree (2006 revival), his other Broadway credits include Saturday Night Fever (1999), Fosse (1999) and Dream (1997).

Norm Lewis (King Triton) currently plays Javert in the Broadway revival of Les Miserables, his other Broadway credits include Amour (2002), The Wild Party (2000), Side Show (1997), Chicago (1996 Revival), The Who's Tommy (1993) and Miss Saigon (1991).

Tituss Burgess (Sebastian) currently performs in the Broadway musical Jersey Boys, he also appeared on Broadway in Good Vibrations (2005).

Eddie Korbich (Scuttle) currently appears on Broadway as George in The Drowsy Chaperone, his other Broadway credits include After the Night and the Music (2005), Wicked (2003), Seussical (2000), Carousel (1994 revival) and Sweeney Todd (1989 revival).

Jonathan Freeman (Grimsby) was last seen on Broadway as Bert Barry in 42nd Street (2001 revival), his other Broadway credits include The Producers (2001), On the Town (1998 revival), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1995 revival), Beauty and the Beast (1994), She Loves Me (1993 revival) and Platinum (1978).

Derrick Baskin (Jetsam) currently plays Mitch Mahoney in the Broadway musical 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005 original).

Tyler Maynard (Flotsam) currently performs in Mary Poppins, he also appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia (2001).

Cody Hanford (Flounder) will be making his Broadway debut in the musical. The 12 year old actor as appeared in regional productions of The Wizard of Oz, Evita and Fiddler on the Roof.

Jarrell J. Singleton (Flounder) his currently making his Broadway debut as Young Simba in Disney's The Lion King.