A far more respectful, thoughtful, erudite, and insightful examination of this show than was offered by the so-called experts in the New York press. Well done, Jim.

Thanks for the great review, I've been waiting to hear about the show! Glad to know it's worth seeing.

Any version that doesn't end with the mermaid dead can hardly be called a "nitpick-free edition of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale", but I get your point.

I'm actually very surprised by all the venom that the critics spewed over this show.  Yes, it definitely is not the perfect show but I'd say it's much closer to a Mary Poppins, maybe even exceeding that than it is a Tarzan.  I don't understand why people are saying this story is difficult to understand, it's not the least bit difficult to follow.  But the songs are great, the lighting is awesome, the costumes are a little hit or miss.  I like what they tried to do with the set, for the most part, it did work.  Yes, those "space arms" do tend to get in a way of Under The Sea, even reminded me of the Astro Orbiters ride.  The ending is very anticlimactic after all the onstage trickery they do to that point, the ending just feels like they gave no thought to it.  But I think it was a fun show, definitely something to catch if you get the chance.

Disney Theatricals is running head-on into the New York critics by trying to produce "family-friendly" broadway shows. The critics are just looking for anything to dislike about these productions since they are changing the face of Broadway.

I lived near NYC in the 80's and at that time, there was nothing on Broadway that you could call take the whole family to, unless the family's youngest kids were in high school (as was the case in my family).

The Broadway retail district loves these Disney production, however, the critics feel the integrity of Broadway is being compromised.

Is that "Broadway integrity" Bob Sagett in "The Drowsy Chaperone" or Clay Aiken in "Spamalot"?

I guess it's "the eye of the beholder," eh?  ;-)

Great review, Jim. Glad to know that TLM is worth seeing. I'll try to catch it before I leave the States later this year.