[ cheers and applause ] this is "nightline." >> tonight -- >> dive. dive. >> defense in the deep. the u.s. guided missile sub patrolling one of the world's hot spots in the eastern mediterranean. david muir with unprecedented access. the close-up look at weapons 600 feet underwater. >> so inside this tube right here -- >> seven missiles. >> seven tomahawk missiles. >> right. >> crew members now in a highly classified mission sharing the watters with the russians. plus "the little mermaid" live. the disney classic comes to life. diving under the sea with ariel. the timeless songs and star-studded cast ready to take over the stage. with the queen transforming into the much-anticipated sea witch.

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u.s. navy submarine in the eastern mediterranean. now the abc news exclusive. david muir with extraordinary access on board the heavily armed vessel. and the warning tonight about the russians watching the same seas. >> reporter: we approach the "uss florida" in the eastern mediterranean as it prepares for a highly classified mission. >> so this is 18,000 tons we're looking at. >> 18,000 tons of american steel. >> reporter: a nuclear-powered u.s. navy guided missile submarine. 160 crew on board. they call it the silent service for a reason. >> that's right. all those missions are some of the most highly classified that we do. >> reporter: they deploy underwater for up to 120 days, several months at a time. we are given rare access as we board the submarine. >> thank you. >> reporter: rear admiral william huston describes where we're standing, just above the tomahawk missiles. >> this can lift up at any time? >> this could lift up at any time on order if we wanted to

launch the tomahawk missiles. >> and how many tomahawks are we standing on right here? >> right now seven. >> reporter: they have more than 100 tomahawks at the ready. and he points out something else. >> we won't go any further. but you're literally standing 10 to 20 feet from an operational nuclear reactor right now. >> reporter: they are about to take us down into the submarine, where we will spend the next 24 hours traveling with them. a maze of narrow hallways and hatches. >> hi. how are you? good to see you. >> reporter: every inch of the submarine is used. they give me a harness. >> your head's going to go right through there. >> reporter: as we prepare to climb through the top of the subto the bridge. we wait for word. >> bridge, send abc to the bridge. >> reporter: up the ladder through several hatches. they tell you when it comes to your hands and your feet make sure three out of four are touching at all times. we climb several floors to meet the captain and members of his crew waiting atop the "uss florida." we make it to the bridge, where we find they are on patrol as

submarine leaves port. preparing to descend into the sea. back down inside the submarine, captain seth burton takes us past the missile tubes, holding the tomahawks. >> so inside this tube right here -- >> seven missiles. >> seven tomahawk missiles. >> right. >> reporter: and we take note in between the curtains drawn where the sailors sleep. >> the sailors are actually sleeping between the tomahawk missiles. >> right. >> reporter: inside the control room they're about to send the order to descend. >> submerge the ship. >> dive. dive. [ siren ] >> reporter: a camera shows the submarine disappearing below the surface. eventually submerging 400, 500, eventually 600 feet below the surface of the sea. they train to move the submarine as carefully and as quickly as possible. soon we are all leaning with no effort. it is precision work in these waters of the eastern

mediterranean. not long after, we are leaning in the other direction. >> this is a 20 degree lean, right? >> yes. >> reporter: as they pull back. they have to be ready to make these moves. there are others here too. >> you put this submarine right in the eastern portion of the m med franian to counterbalance the russian build-up in syria. >> do you have company here? >> we have plenty of company. the russians are very active and we're active with them. >> 2-0 to the left. >> reporter: the u.s. aware the russians are trying to send a message. >> the russians have demonstrated their willingness to use missiles from submarines. they did it from the black sea into syria and now the russians are here in the mediterranean. >> they absolutely are. and we're watching them very, very closely. >> you are. >> yeah. there's really not a day we're not watching them every single day. >> are they watching us? >> i think they'd like to watch us. >> reporter: in fact the russians recently showing their own underwater muscle. in the bering sea. and just days ago testing their new sea-based ballistic missile. >> it's not lost on anyone what

we've seen from the russians in just the last week and a half. >> absolutely. and that's one of the reasons why we're here. >> reporter: at night we watch as they use a periscope with an infrared camera above the water. >> no contacts. >> so we're alone. >> we are alone. >> nobody's there. which is good. >> reporter: we crawl through another hatch and snake our way to the nuclear reactor. >> coming through. >> reporter: and soon we're standing in front of the hatch they have sealed off. >> we're basically traveling on a submarine way nuclear reactor. >> absolutely. we can operate more than 90 to 100 days submerged and the reason why is that reactor gives us all the power we need. >> reporter: and we ask who is behind the hatch. >> the team back there is about 11 watch standers. highly trained nuclear operators. >> and the submarine has only been refueled once? >> only once. >> reporter: and that nuclear power also produces oxygen on board while under the sea. we are taken to the room where they monitor it all. >> when you're 500 or 600 feet

below the surface you've got to use the resource you have, which is water. >> right. we're bringing down demineralized water into oxygen and hydrogen. we make approximately twice as much hydrogen as we do oxygen. we then send that hydrogen overboard. >> when it hits the electricity it breaks it into hydrogen and oxygen. >> yes, sir. >> reporter: there is something else about "uss florida." it is always ready for special forces, navy s.e.a.l.s. their weapons already on board. we are about to climb to see the small compartment attached to the top of the submarine where navy s.e.a.l.s, u.s. special forces would deploy right into the water. keep in mind the submarine is still hundreds of feet beneath the sea. >> this is the dry deck shelter on top of the submarine. in fact, we're still about 200 feet beneath the surface of the mediterranean here in this room. this is where the navy s.e.a.l.s would deploy in a navy s.e.a.l. delivery vehicle of some sort. in fact, the only thing separating me from the intense pressure of the water is this black hatch. and in fact, if you listen you can actually hear the water.

>> reporter: and on board there is one more powerful weapon. the torpedo. >> as a captain you always want to be ready. >> so this one here? >> that's right. >> reporter: they have eight of them on board this submarine. one of them already marked war shot loaded. and it turns out that every one of these torpedoes is tested multiple times before it's put into place on a guided missile submarine. >> these torpedoes were shot five times successfully as an exercise torpedo. the engine compartment, the after bombing and the quord gnat nose group, the guidance control group of the weapon before it can -- these weapons actually have run time. >> reporter: petty officer izamar drake conducts a test run of the tube itself. >> shooting 2-4! >> so the force that was getting released in there was the 2,000 pounds of air going in through the firing valve into the

turbine ejection, which is pretty much like jet engine spinning it up, which just ejects it out like a giant water cannon. >> we have torpedoes that will basically eliminate any submarine or surface ship if needed. >> if needed. >> if needed. >> reporter: captain burton is the commanding officer of the "uss florida." >> you just look at the region and you've got nicis e iie iieis northern africa, what's going on on the turkey-syria border right now. the fact you're here on the mediterranean, does that give you a set of silent eyes for the u.s.? >> it gives us eyes where no one is aware they're being looked at. >> reporter: captain burton is ware of the russian tooz. >> and the russians have found a way to signal to you we're here in the mediterranean too. >> oh, definitely. they're here. >> and do you let them know that you know they're here? >> that's why i'm here. >> reporter: and on this submarine as we walk down those narrow hallways, just enough room to get by, these sailors often do not know the classified

mission on the horizon. they do know they're here in the eastern mediterranean and that they're ready. >> all right. good evening, everyone. >> good evening, sir! >> you all are about to go on some missions that i can't tell you about here on the mess decks. you're in a very dangerous part of the world right now. >> reporter: and tonight the "uss florida now on that classified mission. >> nobody knows where it's at in the mediterranean at any one time. >> including now. >> including now. >> reporter: i'm david muir for "nightline" in the eastern mediterranean. >> the rear admiral telling david the submarine has three times the firepower of a typical destroyer. up next, "the little mermaid" now making a splash in a live television musical. i have moderate to severe pnow, there's skyrizi. ♪ things are getting clearer, yeah i feel free ♪ ♪ to bare my skin ♪ yeah that's all me. ♪ nothing and me go hand in hand ♪ ♪ nothing on my skin

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♪ ariel of "the little mermaid" is now diving into a new adventure. inside the fresh spin on the animated disney classic. a live action spectacle featuring beloved actors and rising stars. here's abc's t.j. holmes with the first glimpse of the remake of the timeless tale. ♪ someday i'll be part of their world ♪ >> reporter: it's the disney classic that redefined the hair flip and fork for generations of fans. "the little mermaid." the enduring story of an underwater princess dreaming of life on land. >> i've never seen a human this close before. >> reporter: the 1989 megahit won two oscars -- ♪ under the

sea ♪ -- and helped usher in disney's animated renaissance era. and now it's taking on new form in "the little mermaid live" airing tuesday night on abc which is owned by disney. "moana's" auli'i cravalho starring as ariel. >> this is really a wonderful universal story that everyone can enjoy. >> reporter: reggae superstar shaggy plays sebastian the crab. >> it's being told a little different this time. it's been put a modern spin on it. >> reporter: "fuller house's" john stamos is villainous french chef louis. >> i thought they'd ask me to play prince eric but i guess i'm a little too old for that. >> reporter: that roles goes to "the good wife's" graham phillips. >> the hans christians andersen fairy tale was written in the 1830's or something so it's cool that it's sort of existed for so long. >> reporter: and the one and only queen latifah stars as ursula the sea witch. >> it's going to be a blast to play this character with this hair. and this black, purple sort of

skin dress. i don't even know what to call it. with my tentacles and all this. >> what did you first think when they came to you about doing a live "little mermaid" and they want you to be ursula? >> well, it was interesting because i had done a photo shoot for disney a few years back where annie liebowitz shot me as ursula. and so when this popped up, it was like, "okay, a tv production. all right." how do they want to do this? and once they explained to me the way they wanted to do it i thought it was interesting. >> does the anxiety level go up? >> you've got one shot at this thing, you've got to make it right. you cannot blow it. so it's -- but you prepare. you prepare for it. you practice, practice, practice. think of the fun that the audience will have and, you know, kind of get into the character and, you know, and then let it go. >> poor unfortunate souls. ♪ poor unfortunate soul >> yeah. >> okay. now, why was that look? eyes got big. >> that's a -- it's a serious song.

♪ poor unfortunate souls ♪ in pain when i listen to it, you know, you think you know every disney movie to watch it again and or you think you know a song until you actually have to sing it and you're like, "oh, my god." >> is that the part of the show you're most anxious about? >> i'd say so. this is the biggest number for me, for sure. >> reporter: while there was a "little mermaid" disney musical on broadway, abc's production will feature those iconic songs in a fresh way, a new spin on the live television musical. >> how is this going to be different? we've kind of become accustomed to seeing these live productions on tv. >> there's not going to be like any of that. they're going to literally show the movie in front of a live audience and then when it comes to the musical performances, it's going to cut to the live performance of those songs and then it'll go back into the movie and the audience will take part in it and be participants in the actual performance of it. they'll be under the sea with us. it'll be great. >> what we try to create here is

a 360 immersive experience that we're calling the dive-in theater. and the audience, we're going to have over 400 audience members, and they're going to get props throughout the show. >> reporter: "nightline" was granted exclusive backstage access before the big night. >> we're going to take a tour of "the little mermaid live." come follow me. >> reporter: actress amber riley, best known for her role on "glee," plays a new character, the master of >> in the movie, ariel doesn't show up to her introduction as the new princess. and so usually the daughters of trident sing the song "daughters of trident." but they decided to have an emcee come in and be the master of ceremonies and sing about the daughters of trident. so that is the role i'll be playing. >> reporter: from the costumes.. look at that. i'm being very delicate.

i don't want to tear up anything or leave fingerprints. but this is amazing. >> reporter: and accessories. >> look at these wigs, different colors. i mean, the hair department did their thing on this. look at this amazing braid. >> reporter: to the props. >> i kind of want take a nap on this. it's like a big pillow. look at that. >> it's taking this classic film that everybody has this sense of you know, deep nostalgia for and it's presenting it in the way that you have seen it before, but also with all of these elements that heighten it and make it exciting and new. >> reporter: disney also plans to reinvent the classic tale with a live action remake, casting african-american actress halle bailey in the new role. the 19-year-old sharing her excitement on instagram back in july, posting this illustration of ariel from artist dillon bonner with the caption "dream come true." but the decision was met with backlash online, with many tweeting their disapproval, using the hashtag #notmyariel. celebs like mariah carey and

applauded the diverse move. and as the classic is reinterpreted again tomorrow night, this production's cast has evolved, too. >> it is all about diversity at this point and just look at this cast. it says it all. >> it's in our dna now. it's been part of the fabric of our -- you know, our world. >> it is such a wonderful show to sing along to. ♪ i think it's also important to remember that anyone can be a mermaid and that from all walks of life everyone should be able to enjoy that as well. >> reporter: for "nightline," i'm t.j. holmes in new york. >> tune in to "little mermaid live" tomorrow night at 8:00/7:00 central right here on abc. and next,th anniversary of the iran hostage crisis.

a standoff that still shapes the world today and helped define our broadcast. >> this is abc news "nightline." reporting from washington, ted koppel. >> good evening. this is a new -- performance comes in lots of flavors. there's the amped-up, over-tuned, feeding-frenzy-of sheet-metal-kind. and then there's performance that just leaves you feeling better as a result. that's the kind lincoln's about. ♪ it's jcpenney's biggest sale of shop coats for the family... $12.99 men's and women's tops... or air fryers! or, take an extra 20% off with your jcpenney credit card and coupon! come in and save big at jcpenney! this is charlie not coughing because he took delsym 12-hour. and this is charlie still not coughing

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♪ and finally tonight, we mark the 40th anniversary of the iran hostage crisis. defining moment in our nation's history and for "nightline." >> good evening. the u.s. embassy in tehran has been invaded and occupied by iranian students. the americans inside have been taken prisoner and according to a student spokesman will be held as hostages until the deposed shah is returned from the united

states. >> 40 years ago today iranian militants stormed the u.s. embassy in the iranian capital, holding 52 americans hostage. >> there are several hundred young people, mainly students at tehran university, have taken over the embassy. we are not occupiers, they said. "we have thrown out the occupiers." >> the iran crisis. >> abc news started a series of nightly special reports. >> the students or whoever have seized the embassy there have threatened to kill the hostage. >> it eventually became "nightline," anchored by ted koppel. >> good evening. this is a new broadcast in the sense that it is permanent and will continue after the iran crisis is over. is your country do you think going to take out its anger over the flight of the shah on the american hostages? >> "nightline's" signature must-see interviews with newsmakers and family members of hostages drove the coverage. >> why are we not being allowed to hear from the hostages? >> well, perhaps one reason is because your cia is so

sophisticated. >> reporter: after 444 days in captivity the american hostages were released. now, four decades later, reminders of that troubling past and uncertain future. as protesters today burned american flags outside the former u.s. embassy in tehran. that's "nightline." you can always catch our full episodes on hulu. thanks for the company, america. good night. kerrygold has a taste so rich it can take you to ireland's lush, green pastures.

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