Biographical note:

Michael Lassell is a widely published, award-winning author of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, whose work has appeared in scores of newspapers, magazines, literary journals, and anthologies. A former theater critic, he holds degrees from Colgate University, the California Institute of the Arts, and the Yale School of Drama. He lives in New York City, where he is the articles director of Metropolitan Home magazine. His previous Disney Editions titles include: Aida, Celebration-The Story of a Town, Disney on Broadway, Tarzan: The Broadway Adventure, and Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It.

Main description:

From its first publication as a fairy tale told by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid has been enthralling children and adults alike with its story of the transforming power of love. In 1989, Disney put little Ariel on film, gave her flaming red hair and an Oscar-winning musical score, and, in the process, reinvented the animated feature as a viable art form. Now the creative powers at Disney have reimagined the mermaid and her friends again, bringing one of Disney's most beloved princesses to the stage. The Little Mermaid:
The Story of a Tale is a look at the process of morphing a 19th-century story and a 20th-century film into a stage event for the 21st century. This oversized, profusely illustrated book traces the evolution of The Little Mermaid from its inception in Denmark, through its triumphant animation, to the hit Broadway stage version now playing in New York. In addition to photographs of the show and its rehearsals, the book will explore the creative process with extensive looks behind the scenes. Writer Michael Lassell interviews Francesca Zambello and choreographer Steven Mear, writer Doug Wright and composer Alan Menken, designers George Tsypin and Tanya Noginova as well as all the stars in the show's extraordinarily talented cast. This is a grown-up book for children of all ages.