Review: DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID - Awash With Problems

There are problems inherent in producing a modern Broadway play. A musical based on an animated movie raises the difficulty level unbelievably high. The Georgetown Palace's current production of DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID is a prime example of just how high the bar is set in trying to reproduce what looks seamless in New York. Unfortunately the result is a somewhat bumpy voyage under the sea.

THE LITTLE MERMAID is credited with saving the Disney animation studios and bringing back the excitement to an aging and out of touch industry. In 1989 the film, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, complete with a Broadway score, was a revolution and paved the way for truly spectacular animated films. The story begins with THE LITTLE MERMAID herself, Ariel (Kristen DeGroot), the youngest daughter of King Triton (Rick Cheney) who is obsessed with the above the waves world, collecting human artifacts with her friends Flounder (Madeline Rodriguez) and Scuttle (Kevin Oliver). We find that her father fears humans and forbids her from gathering her collection or swimming on the surface. Disobeying her father, Ariel saves the life of Prince Eric (Bradley Costas) when he is thrown overboard in a sudden storm. She is immediately smitten with the young man and makes a fateful bargain with her evil aunt Ursula (Emily Perzan) the sea witch. Fairytales being what they are, everything turns out perfectly and the Disney ending gets its due.

The production is an ambitious one and quite possibly a bridge too far for the Palace's capabilities. With far too many flying actors, what should look magical, looks amateurish and distracts from the talent on stage. Kristen DeGroot gives a stellar performance eliciting chills as the title mermaid. She is at her vocal best and puts her whole heart behind each song. Emily Perzan is wonderfully wicked as the sea witch Ursula, as are her minions Flotsam (Katya Welch) and Jetsam (Buddy Novak). They embody the evil trio exceptionally well in everything from song to movement. Perzan seemed to be the only actor comfortable with flying, while others looked awkward she seemed to float underwater. For the most part, the cast is up for the challenge and rose above the show's technical issues, with a few notable exceptions. Bradley Costas as Prince Eric is sadly not up to the rest of the cast vocally and seemed oddly lost in most scenes. The Palace production was plagued with technical issues on opening night including scene change difficulties, flying miscues and costume malfunctions. Choreography by Courtney Wissinger Eiland is terrific for the tap dancing bird number but seems off kilter in other numbers. Costumes by Alina Bushong were lovely for the most part but chicken wire frames for the mermaid tales was quite obvious. Ariel's tail in particular seemed to be filled with some sort of paper inside the wire structure and the fabric spiraled around the tail slipped early in the first act showing the stuffing for the rest of the show. During the final moments Ariel's tail fell off and hung at her side until she exited to change into her wedding dress. Lighting by Faith Castaneda was lovely and gave a true under the sea feel. The set painting by Barb Jernigan is bright and delightful. The set design by Michael Davis is beautiful but feels crowded on the Palace stage. Director Mary Ellen Butler has done a good job with technically challenging material, but THE LITTLE MERMAID misses the charm and warmth of CAMELOT, that she directed last year. Ultimately, while flawed, the production is fun and the children in the audience were squealing with delight.

THE LITTLE MERMAID is great for the kids, but not up to the usual Georgetown Palace Theatre's sterling standard.

DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID
The Georgetown Palace Theatre
November 18 - January 15

Running Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes with one 15 minute intermission

Tickets: $30 - $19 georgetownpalace.com

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