The Little Mermaid
I've been to The North Shore Theater hundreds of times, but this production of The Little Mermaid is the first review from Music Theater Works (MTW), and WOW, what a performance. MTW's The Little Mermaid was one of the best Disney productions I've seen in years. MTW aims to present a full spectrum of musical theater, creating a bridge for all audiences from classic works to the present. And based on the outstanding interpretation we saw from the cast of the Little Mermaid, Music Theater Works is the theatrical gem you want to add to your theater agenda.
From the book written by Hans Christian Andersen and Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid tells a fictional story of a teenage mermaid princess named Ariel, who dreams of becoming human. She defiles her father, King Triton, who wishes she would avoid going on land, and falls in love with a human prince named Eric. Ariel makes a magic deal with the sea witch, Ursula, to become human and be with Prince Eric, but she has to kiss him in three days or lose her voice and freedom forever.
Joselle Reyes and Nathan Karnik (Ariel and Prince Eric) captivated the audience with their young love that wins over the evil powers of Ursula. The singing from Reyes and Karnik was terrific, and they truly seemed like Disney characters on stage.
I loved anything about this production. It has it all from the fantastic stage, singing, and acting! It's hard to single out one person from the incredible cast. For example, the sisters (Amy Delgado, Trillium Falotico, Chase Infiniti, Jennifer Ledesma, Aubrey Trecek, and Meredith Wells) sang in great harmony. Gus Franchere and Anakin Jace White (Flotsam and Jetsam) choreography of symmetry movements was impeccable, and Clayton Cross (Scuttle), Wesly Anthony Clerge (Sebastian), Caroline Lyell (Ursula), and Thomas E. Squires (King Triton) were magnificent. They all provide that mesmerizing Disney magic that brings the child out of us all.
And I'm sure that kids who loved Ariel had the same fond affection for Elosie Mulliken as Flounder. This little Shirley Temple star in the making, who has played in several Disney performances, was spectacular. She has all of the makings of becoming a household name. Simply adorable.
Kudos to the excellent directing of Stacey Flaster and Joshua Castille, whose brilliant collaboration came together during a Zoom meeting. Their message of love over fear and finding the true meaning of self(Be in our own skin) could be seen in this production.
You also get to hear those famous Little Mermaid songs (Part of Your World, Poor Unfortunate Souls), Under The Sea, and Kiss The Girls, performed to perfection by Wesly Anthony Clerge and dazzled by Clayton Cross, The Scuttle Strut.
The beauty of this Disney's classical tale of The Little Mermaid was seeing the glimmering joy in the eyes of the children watching the play. With several actors singing directly to the kids, their youthful euphoria made you feel like a child again. It was a magical performance that the entire family would love.
The message of The Little Mermaid of never giving up on your goals and dreams is still a vital message we should continuously teach our young generational stars that hold the world in their hands today. The human world is indeed a mess, and with life under the sea being better than anything they got up there, Music Theater Works, The Little Mermaid is a must-see! And if it is above the sea.
Let's Play Theatrical Review Highly Recommends Music Theater Works, The Little Mermaid.
Music Theater Works
North Shore Center
The Little Mermaid
Book by Doug Wright
Directed by Stacey Flaster and Joshua Castille
June 2 - June 26, 2022
