By Zach Johnson
Everything’s better down where it’s wetter—just ask John Stamos and Graham Phillips! The actors have just joined the cast of The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! The two-hour special airs Tuesday, November 5, at 8 p.m., on ABC.
Following Stamos’ performance as Chef Louis in the Hollywood Bowl production of The Little Mermaid, the two-time Emmy® Award-nominated actor and producer will reprise his role as the eccentric French cook. Also joining previously announced cast members Auli’i Cravalho (Ariel), Queen Latifah (Ursula), and Shaggy (Sebastian) is film and television star Phillips, who will return to his live theater roots in the role of Prince Eric. Both actors bring a wealth of stage experience. Stamos made his Broadway debut in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying before starring in productions of the Tony® Award-nominated The Best Man and the Tony Award-winning musicals Nine and Cabaret, while Phillips originated the role of Evan Goldman in the Broadway musical 13.
As previously announced, The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! will honor the 30th anniversary of the beloved animated classic through a never-before-seen hybrid format that will take viewers on a magical adventure under the sea. Live musical performances will be interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film, and the production will feature intricate sets and costumes by three-time Emmy Award-winning designer Zaldy. The special will also include music from the original animated film and the Tony Award-nominated Broadway stage version, originally composed by eight-time Oscar®-winning composer and Disney Legend Alan Menken. Howard Ashman’s iconic lyrics from the film will be showcased, and Glenn Slater, the lyricist for the Broadway adaptation, will contribute to the star-studded spectacular. Joining the production’s creative team are choreographers Nick Florez and RJ Durrell.
The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! is being produced by Done+Dusted. Executive producers include director Hamish Hamilton, Katy Mullan, David Jammy, Raj Kapoor, Ian Stewart, and Richard Kraft (who directed and produced the Hollywood Bowl productions of both The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast).
