The Little
Mermaid was also very popular that is still selling merchandise to this
day, a broadway show was produced and lasted for a few years, a few attractions
at Disney’s themed parks are inspired by the film, along with an
animated television show for the Disney Channel (which is still being shown in
reruns on Disney Junior) and two direct to video sequels.
One thing about The
Little Mermaid that somehow faded away over time was the infamous stage
show at Walt Disney World starring Sam Wright, the voice actor for the film’s
character, Sebastian the Crab. Two filmings of the show were released onto home
video by Disney in the early 1990’s.
Sebastian’s
Caribbean Jamboree was released in 1991 with Sebastian’s
Party Gras to come one year later. Both videos are live action combined
with animation and feature Wright communicating with the character he portrays
in Disney’s animated classic. Sam performs on stage with a group of
both kids and adult performers and each song they sing is either upbeat, sweet,
or just flat out fun and all done Caribbean style.
Sebastian’s
Caribbean Jamboree focuses on Sam Wright and a group of kids putting on a
show at Walt Disney World. Sebastian is anxious and worried that the show will
not go all as planned. The songs in the video teach Sebastian not to worry so
much and that good things will come all in good time. Songs in this video
consist of such favorites as “Hot, Hot, Hot,” “Arise,”
“Three Little Birds,” “Day-O (The Banana Song)”
“Music Sweet,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,”
and the academy award winning Disney classic, “Under the Sea.” The
show ends wonderfully with the well-known “Jamaica Farewell.”
A few of the songs also contain sing-along lyrics at the bottom of the screen.
I’m not so sure where in the resort this was filmed though.
The second
video, Sebastian’s Party Gras, filmed at New
Orleans Square at Walt Disney World, has more songs that give the same vibe the
first video gave. In this show, King Triton discovers a secret that Sebastian
has been hiding, that he performs shows on the shore with Sam when he’s
not performing under the sea with Ariel and her sisters. Triton is outraged by
this and tells Sebastian that this will be his last performance with Sam. Of
course, Sebastian has a difficult time trying to tell Sam as he puts on a
forced smile throughout the show. Triton watches the show from under the sea
and soon changes his point of view. Songs include “Iko,
Iko,” “In De Conga Line,”
“Limbo Rock,” “Carousel,” “Octopus’s
Garden,” “Twist and Shout,”
“Life is a Magic Thing,” and my personal favorite, “Give
a Little Love.” This video ends nicely, as Sam is
invited to join Disney World’s Party Gras parade the next day.
Both videos,
though dated, are fun and colorful. Sam Wright is very upbeat, happy, and
energetic all the time. He really knows how to speak to his audience and the
people performing with him. The backup dancers are great as well and even the
kids are just as energetic. The songs are performed wonderfully. The only
problem I would have with one is also the same problem I would have with the
other. Whenever Sam talks to Sebastian, the animation for the character is cut
from The Little Mermaid and pasted something else. Clips of Sebastian
speaking with King Triton is nothing but clips from the same film but dubbed
over by the same voice actors. Aside from that, both shows are fun and
colorful, and are still entertaining even when the 90’s are
over. I saw both shows on VHS when I was a little kid before I saw The
Little Mermaid actually and I was very enthused.
Sadly, there are
no plans for Disney to release either of these two shows on DVD. It’s
a shame because I feel as if they would both have served as great bonus
features for The Little Mermaid’s Diamond Edition Blu-Ray release. If
you can find them on VHS or Laserdisc (try looking online), I recommend
checking them out, especially if you are a fan of The Little Mermaid or
of Disney’s theme parks. I think somebody uploaded both of them on
YouTube as well.
Did you see one of these shows when you were younger? Do you
remember what Disney World was like in the early 90’s? Let us know in the comments below or send us an email at mickeymindset@gmail.com!
The Mickey Mindset: mickeymindset@gmail.com
Great article,but The Little Mermaid series was produced for CBS and then reran on The Disney Channel and Toon Disney.
ReplyDeleteOh I didn't know that. I should have done more research, but thanks for the feedback :)
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