By: Mary Brassard
Disney’s the Little Mermaid at CenterPoint Legacy Theater was like a mini trip to Disneyland, only I didn’t have to travel so far away, and the tickets are much more affordable. I would definitely recommend you take this fun and fish-filled trip.
You probably don’t need much set up. I think most everyone is at least a little familiar with Disney’s story of Ariel, the red-haired teenage mermaid with a mean old dad. I was lucky enough to be a young girl in 1989, and therefore, among first wave Little Mermaid fans. I have seen several community productions of this stage musical version of the movie, and even saw it on Broadway with the opening cast. So, I am certainly the target audience, yes, but I also know the show well enough to have strong opinions.
Director Donny Inkley made some choices that are my favorite I have seen so far for this script. One huge example he improved a lot is the stage version of Flounder. For some reason that I will never understand, the stage version of Mermaid has an added side plot that gives Flounder a crush on Ariel. I have never liked this, but Inkley downplayed it in a very clever way, instead making Flounder flirty and fun, but not a forlorn, tossed aside amour. This improved the show a lot for me. I also loved the staging of “Les Poissons”. It was funny and included great slapstick, but was still clean and easy to follow, and had great use of some fun props. The pacing of the show was fast, and I never felt it lagged.
Costume designer Katie Miller did an excellent job as well. These days, when you can buy a mermaid tail on Amazon for 12 dollars, it’s a lot harder to make the mermaid costumes special. Well, they achieved this with very different tails than are usually used, and it made me feel really transported into a world under the sea that I have never visited before. I also loved the costumes in “Under the Sea” especially the blowfish.
The set is very clear in its representation of on land vs under water. It has several levels and added nicely to the show.
Choreography by Kelley Richardson impressed. It is crisp, enjoyable, and didn’t try to overdo itself. I particularly loved the dance between Ariel and Eric, as it focused on building their relationship and connection, instead of showy dance moves that would have distracted.
The cast is so wonderful. I truly feel there wasn’t a weak link among them. Ben Roylance as Flounder is charming and loveable. Jason Wadsworth as Grimsby brings wisdom and grace to a character often missed as a throwaway. Michael Richardson as King Triton thrilled me. He is very fatherly and tender when needed, but also extremely masculine and powerful. If Aqua Man (the new Jason Momoa version) grew up, had a family and inherited the sea, that is a bit how Richardson played this part. I smiled every time he arrived on stage. Shelby Ferrin as Scuttle is very funny, and his comic timing is without a miss. Jeremy Botelho is one of my favorite Sebastians I have seen. He nails the accent and is also perfectly easy to understand. He even sings in the accent, and his singing voice is beautiful. “Under the Sea” is a real vocal highlight. Jake Heywood as Eric is strong and romantic, and he also gives Eric a softness that I quite enjoyed. Janae Klumpp as Ursula is a triumph. Ursula isn’t on stage in this version as much as you might expect, and Klumpp made us want her on stage more and more. Amazing powerful singing voice and she gives Ursula a mysterious sass. She really makes the character her own, and her performance never blends in with the other versions I have seen. Emily Wells as Ariel made my night. She has the perfectly clear, feminine, sparkling speaking voice that I look for in a Disney Princess, and her singing voice is both sweet and booming. One of my absolute favorite moments was Ariel’s famous moment on the rock. A combination of projection, an excellent rock set piece, Wells’ vocal slam dunk, and perfect timing made this the best re-creation of that part of the movie better than I have ever seen on stage. Truly, my jaw dropped to the floor, and it was 1989 again, and Ariel became my idol.
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CenterPoint legacy theatre is a superb venue. I brought my three-year-old little girl. The theater provides booster seats for kids. Along with wide spaced seating, and excellent sight lines, this made for probably the best view she has ever had at live theater. (Note, my three-year-old was exposed to theater early, and is very good at live shows. You should be the judge of whether or not this is the right show for your little one. It is a nice theater, and wiggly littles who have a hard time staying quiet might not be the right age yet).
For my daughter and I, the entire evening was magical. She sat in awe the entire show. It kept her interest very well. After the show, the cast is available for pictures. We met all of our favorite characters, and we got pictures. My little girl did not want to leave.
I very much recommend CenterPoint Legacy Theatre’s Disney’s the Little Mermaid. If you are a new fan, an old fan looking for a new spark of love for this classic, or a die hard Ariel fan wearing Ariel leggings to the show (ie: me), this is the show for you. It’s a bright, happy evening that will transport you for an evening to a beautiful world with not so many problems as our own. Treat yourself to some Disney therapy.
CenterPoint Legacy Theater presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid
CenterPoint Legacy Theater, 525 North 400 West, Centerville, UT 84014
February 23-March 24 Mon-Sat 7:30 PM. Two Sat Matinees available.
Tickets: $12-$25.50
Contact: 801-298-1302
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre Facebook Page
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