Melissa McCarthy's Hilarious Little Mermaid Rehearsal Panic

Melissa McCarthy, who portrays Ursula in Disney's live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, recently shared a comical anecdote about her first rehearsal for the film. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, McCarthy revealed that she was incredibly nervous to work with the co-writers of one of Ursula's show-stopping numbers, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken. She expressed that she was "in such awe of both of them" which only added to her anxiety.

McCarthy went on to detail how she met the composers before her first rehearsal and how she accidentally kicked them out of the room in a panic. She shared the humorous moment when they offered to stay and her reaction to their gesture. Menken co-wrote "Poor Unfortunate Souls," which Ursula performs in the film. Check out the full quote and interview below:

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Melissa McCarthy expressed her admiration for both of them. She didn't want to let them down by not living up to their expectations. During rehearsals, when they both unexpectedly showed up, Melissa was terrified and overwhelmed. Despite their kindness and willingness to stay and help, Melissa politely declined and apologized for not being ready to perform in front of them. The encounter left Melissa in awe and gratitude for the opportunity to work with such amazing individuals.

Working With Disney Legends on The Little Mermaid

Miranda has successfully collaborated with actors who are not extensively trained in singing or experienced in musicals. Although McCarthy's concerns are valid, given the immense impact of these composers, they are largely unfounded. Miranda and Menken did not criticize the actors, especially during rehearsals; they worked closely with the director, producer, cast, and the entire team to produce a new and innovative adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Menken, who was the composer, co-songwriter, and score producer on the original animated movie, has consistently praised the cast for their exceptional performances.

Menken and Miranda have left an indelible mark on the soundtrack of generations with their classic works, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Hercules, Moana, and Encanto. This is the third time Menken has returned to work on a live-action adaptation of one of his previous classics, bringing a fresh perspective to the score and crafting new songs for the adaptation. Menken and Miranda created four new songs for the movie, including a humorous rap for Scuttle and Sebastian, a romantic ballad for Prince Eric, and new music for Ariel that beautifully captures the essence of the musical genre.