Review: THE LITTLE MERMAID Makes a Splash at Fox Cities P.A.C.

THE LITTLE MERMAID opened swimmingly at Appleton's Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. With plenty of laughs, entertaining musical numbers and innovative staging, THE LITTLE MERMAID is a shore bet.

Based on the 1989 Disney classic, THE LITTLE MERMAID follows fish-out-of-water mermaid Ariel. Ariel is obsessed with humans, collecting things they leave behind and wondering what life is like on land. Once she saves Prince Eric from drowning, she wants nothing more than to try life on land and pursue the prince. Ariel makes a shady deal with Ursula the sea witch to get legs, but in the process, Ursula also takes her voice (always read the fine print). To get back her voice and keep her legs, Ariel must get Prince Eric to kiss her in three days, but it isn't as easy as it seems.

The live show builds further on the premise of the movie by providing more backstory, including explaining Ariel's mysteriously absent mother, clarifying the relationship between Ursula and King Triton, developing the relationship between Ariel and Flounder, and finally clarifying why King Triton actually hates humans so much. Plus, the live show also builds a stronger basis for the relationship between Ariel and Prince Eric. Perhaps one of the highlights of the musical is that it features many of the entertaining side characters much more heavily than does the movie, so fans of Ursula, Flotsam and Jetsam, Scuttle, and Ariel's sisters take heart!

Further setting it apart from the movie, the live show also expands on existing songs and adds 10 new songs. When adding songs to an existing well-known repertoire, there is always a risk of them seeming out of place. However, the new songs blend seamlessly into the show, and some of them even standout as show highlights. For instance, "She's In Love," featuring Flounder (played by Marco Ramos) and the Mersisters is the sort of fun, energetic number you'll wish you could watch again and again.

The underwater feel of the show is effectively set through innovative staging. Several characters swim over the stage through aerial affects, while billowy fabrics flow behind them to look like swimming tails. Meanwhile, eels Flotsam and Jetsam roll across the stage on Heelys and light up at key moments.

While the material is strong, the cast is what makes the show shine. The cast is a tidal wave of energy and enthusiasm.

Diana Huey brilliantly captures Ariel's naïveté and excitement. Her clear voice is quite reminiscent of the movie voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson.

Eric Kunze gives depth to the role Prince Eric. His strong voice and skillful use of dynamics were befitting the seafaring prince.

Meredith Inglesby is devilishly delightful as Ursula. Her powerful voice and comedic timing make the larger-than-life character come alive.

Melvin Abston gives a lively and emotive performance as Sebastian. He plays the character with heart and compassion, making Sebastian more sympathetic and less crabby (while still being a crab).

Additional featured performers, including Marco Ramos (Flounder), Jamie Torcellini (Scuttle), Steve Blanchard (King Triton), Brandon Roach (Flotsam), Frederick Hagreen (Jetsam) and Dane Stokinger (Chef Louis), also perform exceptionally, adding humor, life and depth to the show.

All in all, THE LITTLE MERMAID is a whale of a time, complete with all the stage magic you could hope to find in a Disney production.

THE LITTLE MERMAID will continue to make waves at the Fox Cities P.A.C. through November 5. Limited tickets are still available.

Photo Credit: Mark & Tracy Photography

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