Put the “sea” in the holiday season with the family favorite musical “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” at Syracuse Stage Nov. 25 – Jan. 8. Tickets are available now at www.syracsuestage.org or through the Box Office (315-443-3275). All ticket purchases are protected by Syracuse Stage’s “Worry Free Guarantee,” which provides automatic refunds to patrons if performances are canceled.
Based on the phenomenally popular 1989 animated motion picture (Academy Award for Best Score and Best Song “Under the Sea”), “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid determined to explore life beyond the depths of her watery home. A trip above the surface of the sea sets her on a romantic adventure filled with possibility and fraught with peril, as she enters into a dangerous bargain with the sea witch Ursula.
As the first princess released in the Disney Renaissance era, Ariel made a splash in 1989 for being the first modern heroine. The New York Times referred to her as “a spunky daredevil.” And Roger Ebert praised the character, “Ariel is a fully realized female character who thinks and acts independently, even rebelliously.”
In addition to “Under the Sea,” the vibrant score includes “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” “The World Above,” “Sweet Child,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and many more sung by a beloved cast of characters including Flounder, Sebastian, Chef Louis, Scuttle and, of course, Prince Eric.
Co-produced with the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Department of Drama, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” features a cast of 35 led by the accomplished performer Katie Emerson as Ariel. Emerson has performed the role previously under the direction of Melissa Rain Anderson, who returns to Syracuse Stage to guide this production.
Anderson said she believes this is a great tale to tell at the holidays because it offers an opportunity to “get behind a real hero” who gives up her home and much more in order to fulfill her life.
“It shows just how strong you have to be to become who you are destined to be,” she said.
Assisting Anderson in bringing the show to the stage is a creative team of talented designers and artists. Syracuse Stage veteran Brian Cimmet returns as music director and conducts an 11-piece orchestra. Choreography is by Adam Cates. Kimberly V. Powers is the scenic designer with fantastical costumes by Rafael Castanera and wigs by Jason Estrada. Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz is the lighting designer and Syracuse Stage veteran Jacqueline R. Herter is the sound designer.
The return of 2 Ring Circus to Syracuse Stage (“The Wizard of Oz,” 2017) adds high flying aerial excitement to the production. 2 Ring’s special circus skills and acrobatics make this production a version of the musical “not done by anyone before,” said Anderson. “The characters will dance in the air.”
“The holiday time is a great time for families at Syracuse Stage,” said Bob Hupp, artistic director, Syracuse Stage. “This season is especially exciting as we welcome back 2 Ring Circus to help us create a truly magical production of ‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid.’ Watching this cast light up the rehearsal room, I can’t wait for our community to see them on stage in this stunning production.”
With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” ran for 50 previews and 685 performances on Broadway from 2008 to 2009. It received a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. It has had numerous productions around the world.
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film that was produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements
Originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions
Orchestrations by Danny Troob
Incidental music and vocal arrangements by Michael Kosarin
Dance arrangements by David Chase
Directed by Melissa Rain Anderson
Musical Direction by Brian Cimmet
Choreography by Adam Cates
Scenic design by Kimberly V. Powers
Costume design by Rafael Castanera
Lighting design by Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz
Sound design by Jacqueline R. Herter
Wig design by Jason Estrada
Associate music director: Jacob Stebly
Associate choreographer: Andrea Leigh-Smith
2 Ring Circus: Joshua Dean, Ben Franklin
Production Stage Manager: Stuart Plymesser*
Casting: Bass/Valle Casting
Co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama
Cast (in alphabetical order)
Olivia Lacie Andrews‡ Mersister, Showgirl, Gull, Maid, Princess
Zachary Asnis‡ Jetsam
Sean Bell* Scuttle
Kailee Brandt‡ Mersister, Showgirl, Gull, Circus Flamingo, Maid, Princess
Jessica Cerreta‡ Mersister, Princess
Shaun Collins‡ Flotsam
Joshua Dean* Sailor, Leeward, Swan, Chef, Courtier, Seahorse, Tentacle
Katie Emerson* Ariel
Ben Franklin* Chef Louis
Alexandra Kafrissen‡ Mersister, Maid, Princess
Katarina Kelly‡ Mersister, Showgirl, Princess
Rachel Langetieg‡ Water Specialty, Showgirl, Maid
Maddie Lentz‡ Mersister, Princess
David Lowenstein* Grimsby
Ayana Momoki‡ Swan, Showgirl
Jay Owens‡ Sebastian
Erick Pinnick* King Triton
Jackson Poulin‡ Pilot, Under the Sea Dancer
Thomas Riggelman‡ Flounder
Crystal Sha’nae* Ursula
Anna Stanley‡ Water Specialty, Gull
Sissa Strain* Showgirl
Truman Tinius‡ Sailor, Under the Sea Silks, Circus Flamingo, Chef, Courtier, Tentacle
Isaiah Tucker‡ Sailor, Under the Sea Dancer, Windward, Chef, Courtier
Axel Vera‡ Sailor, Under the Sea Dancer, Chef, Courtier
Dylan Weaver‡ Prince Eric
Understudies
For Ursula – Charlotte Bush‡
For Scuttle, Eels, Flounder, Gulls, Male Circus, Male Dancers, Tentacles – Michael Di Leo‡
For Mersister, Princess, Flounder – Gwendalyn Rose Díaz‡
For Grimsby, Chef Louis, Pilot – Will Foohey‡
For Ariel – Alexandra Kafrissen‡
For King Triton – David Lowenstein*
For Sebastian, Prince Eric – Kirk Lydell*
For Ariel Double – Ayana Momoki‡
For Eric – Jackson Poulin‡
For Scuttle, Mersisters, Showgirl, Gull, Maid, Princess, Water Specialty – Rachel Revellese‡
For Swan, Flamingos – Sissa Strain*
For Sebastian, Swing – Isaiah Tucker‡
For Windward, Leeward – Axel Vera‡
For Mersister, Showgirl, Princess, Maid, Water Feature, Female Circus, Eels – Rileigh Very‡
For Water, Mersisters, Showgirl, Maids, Eels – Bella Zonderman‡
Swings
Gwendalyn Rose Díaz‡
Will Foohey‡
Rachel Langetieg‡
Jackson Poulin‡
Anna Stanley‡
Axel Vera‡
Rileigh Very‡
Bella Zonderman‡
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
‡Student, Syracuse University Department of Drama
Additional Credits
Intimacy Consultant: Melissa Crespo
Dialect Coach: Yusef Seevers
Dance Captains: Joshua Dean*, Rachel Langetieg‡
Student Assistant Director: Samuel Haines‡
1st Production Assistant: Erin C Brett
2nd Production Assistant: Em Piraino
Stage Management Intern: Maya Zepeda
Wardrobe & Wig Supervisor: Dylinn Andrew
Electrician/Board Op: Brian Jordan
Electrician/Spotlight Operator: Connor Beattie
Spotlight Operator: Chris Green
Assistant Audio Engineer/A1: Kevin O’Connor
Sound Assistant/A2: Shane Wright
Wardrobe: Megan Berner, Elissa Martin, Leah Moore
Deck Crew: Joseph Carter, Khayman Clancy, Matthew Mahunik, AnnaRae Martin, Caitlin Radziewski, Jakob Sanchez