DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID is at Franklin's Black Box This Weekend

Franklin Performing Arts Company's production of the under-the-sea spectacular, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, plays for three more performances this weekend at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Shows are on Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m.

Based on the beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and the classic animated film, the enchanting blockbuster musical brings audiences into a magical ocean kingdom - home to mermaid Ariel, King Triton and a host of memorable characters, including Flounder the fish and Sebastian the crab. When the beautiful and curious young mermaid falls for a handsome human, Prince Eric, in the world above, she bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright, Disney's The Little Mermaid features the irresistible songs "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," and "Part of Your World."

Under the direction of Nick Paone and Raye Lynn Mercer, the show's clever staging brings audiences right up close to all the action and into The Little Mermaid's fantasy world. The theater's 360-degree catwalk provides a dramatic platform to feature the production's professional orchestra, conducted by Musical Director Hallie Wetzell. FPAC's costumer, Merrie Whitney, who is building the entire show, has fashioned designs that are true to the spirit of the movie, but reflect her creativity in supporting the show's direction and choreography by Paone, Mercer and Kellie Stamp. Sea creatures are anthropomorphized and given human qualities to bring the underwater scenes to life. FPAC's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid is presented as part of the company's 25th anniversary season.

Lead roles will be performed by Madi Asgeirsson (Ariel), Jason Barney (Chef Louis), Jocelyn Jones (Scuttle), Greg Leach (Triton), Kathy Longobardi (Ursula), Nick Paone (Sebastian), Amanda Wylie (Flounder), and Peter Wyner (Grimsby) of Franklin; Michael Fajardo (Prince Eric) of Hopkinton; Katie Gray (Flotsam) of Milford; and Jenna McDermott (Jetsam) of Wrentham.

Area cast members also include Lily Barney, Kendra Dombroski, Laney Dragsbaek, Hayley Driscoll, Andrew Falanga, Mia Fleischer, Anna Grasso, Collin Hancock, Wendy Jones, Sydney Leach, David Lee, Tatiana McAlpine, Grace Olah, Akira Ontsuka, Bella Pelaggi, Hannah Rezendes, Madison Rezendes, Katharine Waples, Caitlin Woodcock, Katie Wylie, Kristen Wylie, Melissa Wyner, and Delaney Zolnowski of Franklin; Amanda Willis of Holliston; Caroline Merten of Hopedale; Colie Vancura of Medfield; Maddy Williams of Medway; Nicholas Steiner of Millis; Laine DiMartinis, Mairead Nee, and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham.

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370. Disney's The Little Mermaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Pictured is Franklin's Madi Asgeirsson (Ariel) from Franklin Performing Arts Company's production of DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID at The Black Box, with three remaining performances this weekend, at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. on March 19 and 2 p.m. on March 20.

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