Character guide
Sebastian
from The Little Mermaid
Sebastian is King Triton's crab advisor and court composer, charged with keeping an eye on Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Alan Menken's 2008 Disney musical.
- Show
- The Little Mermaid
- Broadway premiere
- 2008
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Alan Menken
Sebastian: from the film to Broadway
Broadway compared with the 1989 animated film and 2023 remake
One actor links this role to another Disney hit: Samuel E. Wright, who voiced Sebastian in the 1989 animated film, went on to originate Mufasa in The Lion King on Broadway in 1997.
On stage, Tituss Burgess originated Sebastian in 2008, keeping the film's showpieces Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl, and adding a part in the new Act 2 quartet If Only with Ariel, Eric, and King Triton. Daveed Diggs voiced Sebastian in Rob Marshall's 2023 live-action remake, which describes him as a fiddler crab and Triton's majordomo, still assigned to watch over Ariel.
Who is Sebastian?
Sebastian is a crab serving as court composer and advisor to King Triton, tasked with keeping an eye on the headstrong Ariel and steering her away from the human world. Despite his exasperation with her constant rule breaking, Sebastian's loyalty and affection for Ariel run deep, and he often ends up helping her rather than stopping her.
His anxious, put upon commentary on the chaos around him gives the show much of its comic energy, even as he quietly proves to be one of Ariel's most steadfast allies.
Sebastian's role in The Little Mermaid
Sebastian is a supporting role in The Little Mermaid, featured in two of the show's most popular numbers, Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl, both built around lively Caribbean inflected rhythms. The role demands sharp comic timing and strong rhythmic phrasing to carry the score's most upbeat, crowd pleasing songs.
Tituss Burgess originated the role on Broadway, bringing comic flair and vocal energy to the part. Audiences remember Sebastian as the show's comic heart, a nervous, rule bound crab whose big production numbers are among the most beloved in the score.
Sebastian: frequently asked questions
What kind of animal is Sebastian in The Little Mermaid?
Sebastian is a crab. He serves as King Triton's court composer and advisor, and Triton assigns him to watch over Ariel and keep her out of trouble.
Why does Sebastian have a Jamaican accent in The Little Mermaid?
The accent goes back to the 1989 film, where lyricist Howard Ashman had Sebastian rewritten with a Caribbean voice, which shaped the calypso and reggae feel of his songs Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl. The 2008 Broadway musical keeps both the accent and those songs.
What songs does Sebastian sing in The Little Mermaid?
Sebastian leads Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl, and he joins Ariel, Eric, and King Triton in the Act 2 quartet If Only. As court composer, he also wrote Daughters of Triton, which Triton's daughters perform at a royal concert early in Act 1.
What show is Sebastian from?
Sebastian is a supporting character in The Little Mermaid, which opened on Broadway in 2008.
Is Sebastian a lead or supporting role?
Sebastian is a supporting role, serving as Ariel's crab advisor and companion.
Who wrote the music for The Little Mermaid?
Alan Menken composed the music for The Little Mermaid.
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