What will likely become Disney's next stage musical, The Little Mermaid, will have an out-of-town tryout in spring 2004, librettist David Ives told Variety Nov. 4. As reported earlier, the show, based on the popular animated film, is scheduled to reach Broadway in fall 2004.

Ives also said the show would get a "round-table reading" in February 2003.

Disney has not announced official production dates for Mermaid. Mermaid will be directed by Matthew Bourne. Bourne received 1999 Tony Awards for Best Choreographer and Best Director for his production of Swan Lake. Bourne will collaborate with Lez Brotherston, who will design Mermaid's sets and costumes. No casting has been announced.

Ives' work is currently seen on Broadway in Dance of the Vampires, on which he collaborated with Jim Steinman and Michael Kunze. The show opens at the Minskoff Theatre on Nov. 21.

The last Disney stage musical to bow in New York was Aida. Other possibly upcoming projects include Hoopz, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan and Mary Poppins. —By Robert Simonson