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A mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain with an unscrupulous sea-witch in order to meet a human prince on land.
As I walked into Fair Park and saw the little girls in their Ariel costumes, my childhood flooded back to me and my heart was overwhelmed with wonder and excitement. That moment when you walk into the auditorium and you see a glimpse of the glorious set on the stage brings a feeling that only live theatre can bring. And as the lights went down and the orchestra erupted into joyful music, I became really thankful that theatre is still a popular art form. And with the little girls sitting on the edge of their booster seats, I too, was ready for an adventure.
“The Little Mermaid” on Broadway follows the same story as the original Disney movie, but as I have not revisited the movie in quite some time, seeing this live production was truly refreshing and enjoyable. It engaged me so much that I felt as though I’d never seen it before. The story follows the life of a vivacious but soul-searching mermaid named Ariel, who’s looking for her place in the world, or rather, the sea. When she catches glimpse of handsome Prince Eric, she hopelessly sinks in love. When he falls into the ocean, she rescues him and brings him to safety. What follows is an opportunity for Ariel to become human and win Eric’s affections, while finding her purpose in life, and finding herself. With the evil Ursula trying to destroy Ariel’s life, her kingly father looking to protect her and her devoted friends who only want the best for her, Ariel is in for the biggest adventure of her life.
The world of “The Little Mermaid” was thoroughly thought through to ensure the realism of an oceanic world on stage. It came to life right in front of the audience, with the impressive set pieces, lighting, costuming, and engaging characters. The ways in which the sea creatures floated through the ocean was inventive and imaginative, and the characters carried their performances so well.
“The Little Mermaid” has a powerhouse cast from lead characters to supporting characters. Each actor that entered the stage was incredibly believable and entertaining, not a weak link in sight! Our leading mermaid, Ariel, is played by Alison Woods, whose childlike expressions and heartfelt performance truly make her a delight to watch. In fact, her mannerisms and personality were used as the inspiration behind Rapunzel in Disney’s “Tangled.” Prince Eric is graced on stage by Eric Kunze, who looks like an exact replicate of Prince Eric from the cartoon of “The Little Mermaid.” Equally handsome and just as charming, Kunze delivers an impressive performance, Disney-like and yet sensitive and realistic at the same time.
Our lovable Jamaican singing crab, Sebastian, was played by Melvin Abston and delivered the most laughs throughout the show. His vivacious personality gave Sebastian a new kind of charm, and he is not only comedic but powerful in his musical presence. Flounder (Adam Garst) was sweet and adorable, and portrayed a true friend to Ariel. Last but not least, the terrifying Ursula (Tracy Lore) was one of the best villains I’ve ever seen grace the stage. She was the perfect balance of cartoony humor and outright evil. Even her electrifying minions brought a scary but entertaining presence to the stage. For the whole cast, I say bravo.
The wonderful soundtrack that makes “The Little Mermaid” so enjoyable comes from Alan Menken, the composer of several Disney movies. The lyrics, just as enjoyable as the music itself, were written by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater.
“The Little Mermaid” is a bubbly adventure of finding one’s place in the world, a delightful story for people of all ages. So, gather up the family, strap on your fins and take a plunge down where it’s better, down where it’s wetter, under the sea!
Now playing at the Music Hall at Fair Park thru March 27
