'The Little Mermaid' CD Debuts at #26 on Billboard Chart

Walt Disney Records' The Little Mermaid Original Broadway Cast Recording enters the Billboard 200 at #26 and #1 on the Cast Album Chart, the highest debut for a cast recording in 12 years (since Rent's 1996 debut at #19).

Walt Disney Records' marketing campaign for the cast recording included pre-order programs at iTunes, Amazon and in-theater (featuring a collectible picture disc) and digital card distribution featuring a free song download to multiple outlets including in theaters and Ticketmaster.

Through a comprehensive digital marketing promotion that included a Ticketmaster and iTunes partnership, the label offered a free The Little Mermaid song download ("She's in Love") as well as a special value offer for The Little Mermaid digital album.  The album peaked at #9 on the iTunes overall album chart last week.

Based on one of the most beloved Disney films of all time and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid, presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, is Broadway's sparkling new musical. 

Led by the award-winning director, Francesca Zambello, some of the theatre's most innovative artists have collaborated to create The Little Mermaid.  The score features the classic songs:  "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea," composed by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, as well as 10 new songs by Mr. Menken and Glenn Slater.  The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright.

The Little Mermaid stars Sierra Boggess as 'Ariel,' Sean Palmer as 'Prince Eric,' Norm Lewis as 'King Triton,' Tituss Burgess as 'Sebastian,' Eddie Korbich as 'Scuttle,' Jonathan Freeman as 'Grimsby,' Derrick Baskin as 'Jetsam,' Tyler Maynard as 'Flotsam,' John Treacy Egan as 'Chef Louis,' Trevor Braun and Brian D'Addario alternating as 'Flounder,'  and Sherie Rene Scott as 'Ursula.'

The Little Mermaid is currently being performed on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC).  For performance and ticket information, please visit www.DisneyOnBroadway.com.

Walt Disney Records presents The Little Mermaid Original Cast Album, available in stores now, at a suggested price of $18.98 wherever music is sold. All Walt Disney Records audio products also can be ordered by visiting www.DisneyRecords.com.