'The Little Mermaid' re-surfaces at The El Capitan Theatre - prnewswire.com 8/24/06

[ALIASd]

Disney's Animated Classic 'The Little Mermaid'
Re-surfaces at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre From Sept. 7th - 24th With a Splashy Digital Debut
Special Engagement Featuring a Live Appearance by Ariel at Each Show Celebrates Oct. 3rd Release of 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD



Last Update: 1:16 PM ET Aug 24, 2006
prnewswire.com via disneytim!

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Aug 24, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Moviegoers will get a chance to go "under the sea" and revisit Disney's Oscar(R)-winning animated feature, "The Little Mermaid," when the classic film makes its digital debut during a special limited engagement from September 7th - 24th at Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre, it was announced today (8/24) by Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. The engagement, which celebrates the upcoming October 3rd release of the special 2-disc Platinum Edition DVD, will spotlight an all-new digital restoration of the film with enhanced picture and sound. Plus, every show throughout the entire run will offer a live appearance by Ariel.

Opening night (September 7th) will include an informative filmmaker's panel at 6:30 pm that will be hosted by veteran Disney animation producer Don Hahn ("Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," etc.). Also on the panel will be the film's directors John Musker & Ron Clements, Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel), supervising animator Glen Keane, and Sherri Stoner (the live-action reference model for Ariel). As a special added attraction on opening night, guests will get a sneak preview of Disney's newest animated short, "The Little Match Girl," based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, and directed by Roger Allers ("The Lion King"). Every show throughout the entire run will offer a live appearance by Ariel. Daily showtimes are 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm, and 7:45 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the El Capitan box office, on line at www.elcapitantickets.com, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Group rate tickets are available for parties of 20 or more by calling 1-818-845-3110.
In addition to the activities at the theatre, Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store (located adjacent to the El Capitan) will be serving up a delicious ice cream treat in celebration of this special engagement called "The Dinglehopper Sundae." Dive into this mouth-watering creation that includes one scoop of blue cotton candy ice cream, and one scoop of vanilla ice cream, covered in fish shaped sprinkles, and topped with whipped cream and a sea creature. And, of course, it is served with a dinglehopper!

Commenting on the announcement, Breier said, "'The Little Mermaid' is one of the most beloved animated films of all time, and it ushered in a new golden age of musicals and fairy tales for Disney. We're thrilled to be bringing it back to the El Capitan so that a new generation of moviegoers can experience it on the big screen. Longtime fans of the film will be able to see it digitally projected and with enhanced sound for the first time. The film has never looked or sounded better and we know that audiences are going to love being part of Ariel's world once again."
On October 3, Walt Disney Home Entertainment debuts the long-awaited two-disc Special Edition "The Little Mermaid" DVD. Included in an ocean of exciting bonus features are deleted scenes, an all-new music video, a fantastic new "Making of Disney's The Little Mermaid," "The Little Mermaid Virtual Ride" which brings to life a fascinating Disney theme park ride, games, and much more for the whole family!

"The Little Mermaid" was Disney's first new fairy tale adaptation in 30 years at the time of its initial release in 1989. With its acclaimed song score by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, the film set a new high water mark for contemporary film musicals and helped to launch a new era of Disney animated classics. The film went on to win two Academy Awards -- for Best Song ("Under the Sea") and Best Original Score (by Alan Menken) -- and received a third nomination for the song "Kiss the Girl."

Disney's version of the Hans Christian Andersen classic follows the animated adventures of a bubbly and fiercely independent young mermaid named Ariel, who longs to be part of the human world. Determined to meet her dream prince, she impulsively strikes a "bargain" with Ursula, a devious sea witch, to trade her voice and fins for a pair of legs and a chance to "land" her handsome Prince Eric. Going against the advice of her mighty father, King Triton, and her guardian crab, Sebastian, Ariel finds herself in deep water as she quickly discovers that silence is not so golden, and that there's something fishy about Ursula's deal.
SOURCE Walt Disney Pictures

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[sailerm]

I got word of this about a month ago, The soda shop will have some exclusive pins. They may even have some exclusive plush, but last I heard the plush may just be stuff brought over from DL

[mikeland]

Adam and I will be in the Los Angeles area this very weekend. Hopefully, we'll have time to see the movie or something!

[ALIASd]

Thanks disneytim!

From Box Office Mojo
By Scott Holleran
September 28, 2006

Burbank, California—The Little Mermaid's premiere at Disney's El Capitan Theatre was tops. Opening nights for these animated feature limited engagements are typically well done, and Disney again treated guests to a stimulating cast and crew discussion before the movie—which becomes available on a new DVD next week—but this time they hit a grand slam.
The panel, moderated by Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame producer Don Hahn, incorporated several DVD features, which were excerpted on the screen above the stage. The audience, filled with fans, families, and studio brass, included Roy E. Disney, son of company founder Roy O. Disney and nephew to Walt Disney. He looked very pleased to be among authentic animation admirers.

Alan Menken, co-directors John Musker and Ron Clements, singer Jodi Benson (who provided Ariel's voice), Ariel's lead animation artist Glen Keane and Sherri Stoner, who modeled for Ariel's movements. Hahn was a fine host, preparing fans for the rare opportunity to see a classic on the big screen while stoking the backstories.

Musker and Clements talked about Hans Christian Andersen's story—the mermaid dies in the original—Menken commented on the music and Keane gave an interesting take on the development of Ariel's look and movements and how somebody made a blonde Ariel doll that's still out there somewhere. They paid tribute to the late Howard Ashman, who produced the movie and co-wrote the songs, and the event definitely recalled late 1980s Disney, when The Little Mermaid's success put feature animation back on track.

Jodi Benson, voice of Ariel, performs
As the panel left the stage, Hahn introduced a surprise rendition of "Part of Your World" by Jodi Benson, accompanied on piano by Alan Menken, who also composed Beauty and the Beast, and Ariel's voice is still clear as a bell. As the lights faded for the movie, there was a hushed, palpable excitement, with a lone child calling out: "Ariel!" in anticipation.
Afterwards, the crowd moved next door to Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store, where they lapped up the exclusive Little Mermaid cotton candy ice cream sundae and collector's pin. The Flounder plush and remastered soundtrack quickly sold out and the two-week engagement, which ended on Sunday, gave The Little Mermaid the fabulous first pitch it deserved.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/features/?id=2165&p=.htm

[PanTheMan]

My 2 year old dances around the room every time the commercial is on!

Can't wait for Tuesday!