ABC鈥檚 concert-film hybrid presentation of The Little Mermaid aired November 5 at 8 PM, starring Auli鈥檌 Cravalho (Rise, Moana) as Ariel and Queen Latifah (Chicago, Hairspray) as Ursula.
Joining them were Broadway alums John Stamos (Bye Bye Birdie, Full House) as Chef Louis, and Graham Phillips (13, The Good Wife) as Prince Eric alongside recording artist Shaggy as Sebastian. Original Ariel Jodi Benson introduced the proceedings, which combined a screening of the 1989 Disney animated film with musical numbers from the movie and Broadway musical performed by the live performers.
See how critics responded to the live event below!
Richard Kraft serves as executive producer, having created a similar presentation at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016. Meanwhile, of The Little Mermaid is also in the works, with Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborating with Oscar winner Alan Menken on new songs (Menken won two Oscars for his work on the 1989 movie, including one with the late Howard Ashman for 鈥淯nder the Sea鈥�).
Check out a behind-the-scenes look of the TV special above and watch Queen Latifah鈥檚 preview of her Ursula cackle below.
