The video opens with a brief historical overview of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Broadway production, noting its run from January 2008 to August 2009, its 685 performances, and the casting of Sierra Boggess as Ariel. It then introduces the song “One Step Closer,” in which Ariel (played by Rob Bagley) has lost her voice and gained legs after arriving on shore, and Prince Eric (played by Brendan Lipscomb) rescues her. Because Ariel cannot speak, Eric teaches her to communicate through dance, a lesson choreographed by Bailey DeYoung. The lyrical portion, delivered by Speaker B, extols dance as a non‑verbal language: each movement is portrayed as a conversation, a way to express feelings that words cannot capture. Repeated refrains emphasize that every step brings the characters “one step closer” to being understood, highlighting the emotional bond formed through movement.
Chapters
Based on the 1989 Disney movie by the same name, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway in January of 2008 and ran through August of 2009, replacing Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It has 685 performances on Broadway and also introduces Sierra Boggess as the title role of Ariel. With, plus some additions and changes from the classic Disney movie, the musical is set to add further depth and backstory to the already lovable characters. In the song "One Step Closer," Ariel, played by Rob Bagley, has recently lost her voice and gained her legs. After arriving on the shore, Prince Eric, played by Brendan Lipscomb, rescues her and brings her back to the castle for some dinner and rest. Due to her lack of ability to communicate verbally, Eric decides to teach her how to communicate through dance. Choreographed by Bailey DeYoung, here is "One Step Closer." Who needs words?
Dancing beats small talk any day. Just the way your feet smile. Or laugh! It lets you say so many things. Dancing is the language that is felt instead of heard. You can whisper, sing, or shout without so much as a word. Try it. Go on. Like so. Just let your emotions tell your body what to do. See how much a single gesture can reveal, and every little step Every single step is one step closer to saying what you feel. Once the music hits you, inhibitions fall away, and you find that you're expressing things your voice daredn't say. Don't be afraid, let go. As soon as you surrender what's inside, the sweet bond grew, as the boundaries between us disappear. And every little step, every single step, is one step closer to talking loud and clear. A dance is like a conversation, except you never need to make a sound. And once you've begun, you speak as one, give and take. Back and forth, round and round. <LYRICS>A dance is like a conversation, except your lips don't ever meet too hard. And once you've begun, you'll speak as one, cheek to cheek.</LYRICS> Toe to toe, heart to heart. Dancing is a language, it's felt instead of heard. It says much more than language ever could. And every little step, every single step, is one step closer. One step closer. One step closer to being understood.
