The Little Mermaid Jr. swim away after Ariel takes Ursula's nautilus shell. Music by Alan Menken and All Lyrics by Glenn Slater, The Little Mermaid Jr. The Little Mermaid Jr. is a stage musical produced by Disney Theatrical, based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen about a mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find love. Its book is by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman (written for the film), with additional lyrics by Glenn
The Little Mermaid (1989 film) in the films. 1988's "Oliver & Company" had served as a test of sorts to the success of the musical format before Disney committed to the Broadway-style structure of "The Little Mermaid". In January 1990, "The Little Mermaid" earned three Academy Award nominations, making it the first Disney animated film to earn an Academy Award nomination since "The Rescuers" in 1977. The film won two of the awards, for Best Song ("Under the Sea") and Best Score. The film also earned four Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture—Comedy or Musical, and won the awards for Best Song ("Under the Sea")