Animators back in Burbank are watching closely the progress of the Little Mermaid on Broadway, produced by their former feature animation chief turned impresario Tom Schumacher.

[From Reuters Jan 14th-The Little Mermaid Flounders on Broadway]

According to critics, the reported $15 million Broadway tale of a mermaid who wants to live among humans could go the way of Disney's "Tarzan," which closed in July after just 14 months due to poor reviews and ticket sales.

"Sadly, following the demise of the joyless green blob that was 'Tarzan,' 'The Little Mermaid' suggests that on Broadway, the Disney magic touch has gone numb," wrote New York Times critic Ben Brantley, calling the show a "musical blunderbuss."

While "The Little Mermaid" cast received warm reviews, the show's set and costumes were criticized.

"Underneath all this baroque ornamentation was a tiny, tinny little musical struggling for life," wrote the New York Post's Clive Barnes. It was "plastic, plastic everywhere, enough to lead you to drink."

Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News, wrote: "The production is busy, not exciting; mechanical, not magical."

http://www.reuters.com/article/stageNews/idUSN1129518820080112
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When Sebastian says:" Ariel, down here is your home!" Maybe he means animation.