Drew Seeley to Join & Chelsea Morgan to Take Over THE LITTLE MERMAID as Eric and Ariel

Producer Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions is pleased to announce DREW SEELEY, star of "Another Cinderella Story," as Prince Eric and CHELSEA MORGAN STOCK as Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID. Stock will begin on Tuesday, June 2 and Seeley will appear in the show Tuesday, June 9 though Sunday, August 30 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater (205 West 46th Street).

Drew Seeley is known to fans as pop star Joey Parker in the romantic musical comedy "Another Cinderella Story" opposite Selena Gomez. He also starred internationally in the arena tours of "High School Musical: The Concert" as Troy (opposite Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu). Drew makes his Broadway debut in this production but made his professional stage debut at age 11 in the original Toronto company of Hal Prince's 1993 revival of Showboat. He is an Emmy Award-nominated singer/songwriter who co-wrote the international smash hit song "Get'cha Head in the Game" for the multi-platinum "High School Musical" soundtrack. 

Chelsea Morgan Stock is a native of San Jose, California and a 2007 graduate of the Boston Conservatory. She made her Broadway debut with the original company, originating the role of Andrina, one of King Triton's seven daughters, and understudying the role of Ariel.

Based on the animated Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, THE LITTLE MERMAID began performances on Broadway on Saturday, November 3, 2007. The show officially opened on Thursday, January 10, 2008.

THE LITTLE MERMAID was the #1 selling new Broadway musical of 2008, grossing over $67 million to date. Terry Teachout of The Wall Street Journal raved, "I expect it to run from here to eternity and back again. I'd see it again in a heartbeat." The Philadelphia Inquirer declared the show "a triumph of stagecraft." The Chicago Tribune hailed THE LITTLE MERMAID a "tidal wave of stellar performances!"

The show currently features Sierra Boggess as Ariel (final performance is Sunday, May 31); Faith Prince as Ursula; Sean Palmer as Prince Eric (through Sunday, June 7; returns to the role on Tuesday, September 1); Norm Lewis as King Triton; Rogelio Douglas Jr. as Sebastian; Eddie Korbich as Scuttle; Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby; Tyler Maynard as Flotsam; Eric LaJuan Summers as Jetsam; Robert Creighton as Chef Louis; Trevor Braun and Brian D'Addario alternating as Flounder.

THE LITTLE MERMAID takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. First, she will have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice.

Led by the award-winning director, Francesca Zambello, some of the theatre's most innovative artists have collaborated to create THE LITTLE MERMAID. The score features the classic songs: "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award®-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea," composed by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and his longtime collaborator, the late Howard Ashman, as well as 10 new songs by Mr. Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning playwright Doug Wright.

THE LITTLE MERMAID's visionary team also includes Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear (choreography), George Tsypin (scenic design), Tatiana Noginova (costume design), Tony Award® winner Natasha Katz (lighting design), John Shivers (sound design), David Brian Brown (hair design), Angelina Avallone (make-up design), Sven Ortel (projection & video designer), Danny Troob (orchestrations) and Michael Kosarin (musical direction).