**** Highly Recommended Drury Lane Theater’s enchanting production of Disney's The Little Mermaid might just be the best musical they’ve ever done – if not the best, then it’s in the top five! The sets and costumes are gorgeous, the puppets are incredible and then there’s Ursula! Everyone cheered when favorite characters entered or favorite songs began. Adults became kids again – everyone was enthralled. 4 BIG Spotlights
Under the sea, Ariel (Sarah Kay), the rebellious youngest daughter of King Triton (Anand Nagraj), is fascinated with humans. She loves to sit on a rock and sing while watching their boats. Ariel and her best friend Flounder (Maya Lou Hlava) often visit Scuttle (Landree Fleming), a seagull, who makes up names for the collection of things she finds.
Aboard a ship somewhere, Prince Eric (Patrick Johnson), who doesn’t want to be king, works alongside the sailors. His guardian, Grimsby (Rob Lindley), frequently quotes his father’s will which says he must be married before he turns 21. When Prince Eric is thrown overboard during a storm, Ariel saves his life. She sings for him but leaves before he sees her, but he heard her, and searched everywhere for that voice.
Triton’s advisor, Sebastian (Michael Earvin Marin) the crab, has been directing Ariel and her sisters, Arista (Natalie Henry), Andrina (Molly Hernandez), Adella (Alanna Lovely), Aquata (Alexandra Palkovic), Allana (Amanda Walker) and Atina (Elaine Watson) in a special song for his festival. Ariel, who inherited her mother’s voice, was supposed to be the lead singer, but was visiting the surface and forgot.
Ariel apologizes to her father and hides in her special spot but King Triton, who blames humans for his wife’s death, destroys Ariel’s collection and forbids her from having anything to do with humans, assigning Sebastian as her guard.
Meanwhile, Ursula (Sawyer Smith), the evil Octopus, is gleefully plotting against her brother, King Triton. Her hench-fish, Flotsam (Leah Morrow) and Jetsam (Ryan Michael Hamman), suggest that Ariel is Triton’s weakness. Ursula decides to use her fascination with humans to trap her. After Flotsam and Jetsam lure Ariel to Ursula’s lair, she offers a trade - a chance at Prince Eric in exchange for her voice. She has three days to get him to kiss her, if she fails, she belongs to Ursula.
Some special scenes:
- Under the Sea – this colorful blockbuster production number features the almost the entire cast in fantastical costumes as various kinds of fish, crustaceans, coral, and a jellyfish or two.
- Les Poissons –Prince Eric’s Chef Louis (Matt Edmond) sings this hilarious tribute to sea creatures – including Sebastian – as dinner fare, wielding his knives the whole time.
- Daddy’s Little Angel – as Ursula plots her brother’s demise, Flotsam and Jetsam slither around as her tentacles (actually people) move right with her
Kudos to Director Scott Weinstein for a stellar production. The undersea portion is just spectacular! I love snorkeling because I can watch all the colorful fish go about their business. Tijana Bjelajac’s undersea set included that infinite blending of blues about perfectly.
The incredibly lifelike undersea creatures – big and small fish, orange, blue and green fish, coral, even swarms of silver fish – were all puppets manipulated by the ensemble. Incidentally, their diaphanous seafoam blue tunic/slack combinations were in constant flowing motion, just like water. And then there’s Ursula. Her tentacles – which were actually people, one crouching on each side of her, one standing behind – moved right with her when she dance. Kudos to choreographer Kasey Alfonso. The puppets were designed by the Chicago Puppet Studio Lead Designers, Caitlin McLeod and Zachary Sun. The costumes were designed by Ryan Park and Zhang Yu.
The ensemble includes Mack Alexander, Stephen Diaz, Matt Edmonds, Ryan Michael Hamman, Natalie Henry, Molly Hernandez, Rob Lindley, Alanna Lovely, Leah Morrow, Austin Nelson Jr., Alexandra Palkovic, Trey Plutnicki, Maxel McLoud Schingen, Amanda Walker and Elaine Watson.
The Drury Lane Orchestra includes Chris Sargent (Conductor/Keyboard), Karl Montzka (Associate Conductor/Keyboard), Larry Kohut (Acoustic & Electric Bass), Vance Okraszewski (Drums & Percussion), Carey Deadman (Trumpet, Flugelhorn & Musician Contractor), Steve Leinheiser (Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone), David Orliz (Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone).
Disney’s The Little Mermaid runs through January 12th at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Parking is free. Running time is two hours, 20 minutes, with a 20-minute intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:30 pm; Thursdays at 1:30 & 7:00 pm; Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays at 3:00 and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 & 6:00 pm. Tickets for ages 12 and under are $65; tickets for ages 13+ range from $74-$125 (including taxes & fees). FYI (630) 530-0111 or www.drurylanetheatre.com.