THE LITTLE MERMAID Holding Auditions for 'Ariel' Replacement in a Number of Cities

Disney Theatrical Productions recently celebrated the one-year Broadway anniversary of THE LITTLE MERMAID on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC). A new casting notice on Disney's web site states:

"Disney on Broadway is casting a new star for our sparkling new musical, THE LITTLE MERMAID.

Seeking an experienced actress/singer/dancer to star as Ariel on Broadway. We encourage women of all cultural backgrounds to attend.

Ariel is a mermaid girl in her late teens, on the verge of maturity. She is a soon-to-be-siren with a frisky sense of fun. An innocent, headstrong and spirited girl overflowing with feelings that are fathoms deep, and daring to dream about a different world, the world above the sea. Must move well, but need not be a trained dancer.

Vocal Range: Soprano with a crystal clear flawless belt to E.

Rehearsals begin: April, 2009
Auditions will be held in the following cities:

Cincinnati - January 18th
Sign-in 12-1 PM
Auditions will take place from 1-8 PM
Vernon Manor Hotel
Belvedere Conference Center
400 Oak Street
Cincinnati, OH 45219

Chicago - January 20th and 21st
Sign in 9-10 AM
Auditions will take place from 10-4 PM
Northwestern University
Cahn Auditorium
600 Emerson
Evansvill, IL 60208

Dallas - January 22nd

Denver - January 23rd and 24th
Sign in 9-10 AM
Auditions will take place 10-6 PM
Denver Center Theatre Company
The Newman Center for Theatre Excellence
Yellow and Green Studios
1101 13th Street
Denver, CO 80204

Los Angeles - January 25th and 26th
Sign in 9-10 AM
Auditions will take place from 10-6 PM
Screenland Studios
10501 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Philadelphia - January 28th
Sign in 9-10 AM
Auditions will take place from 10-5 PM
University of the Arts
Caplan Studio Theatre
211 S. Broad Street, 16th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Boston - January 29th and 30th
Sign in 9-10 AM
Auditions will take place from 10-6 PM
The Boston Conservatory
Room A3C
1108 Boylston Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02215

Please prepare a song of your choice that shows off your soprano range.
Please bring sheet music as an accompanist will be provided along with a headshot and resume STAPLED TOGETHER.
All dates and locations are subject to change.
Please check back for specific locations and times."

For more information, click here.

Based on the animated Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, performances of THE LITTLE MERMAID began 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 $60 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 cast of THE LITTLE MERMAID currently features Sierra Boggess (‘Ariel'), Sean Palmer (‘Prince Eric'), Norm Lewis (‘King Triton'), Rogelio Douglas, Jr. (‘Sebastian'), Eddie Korbich (‘Scuttle'), Jonathan Freeman (‘Grimsby'), Tyler Maynard (‘Flotsam'), Eric LaJuan Summers (‘Jetsam'), Robert Creighton (‘Chef Louis'), Trevor Braun and Brian D'Addario (alternating as ‘Flounder') and Sherie Rene Scott (‘Ursula').

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'll 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).

The original Broadway cast recording of THE LITTLE MERMAID was released by Walt Disney Records (February 26, 2007) and debuted at #26 on the Billboard 200. The album received a 2008 GRAMMY® Nomination for "Best Musical Show Album." The CD is available at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, music stores nationwide and at online retailers.

BROADWAY TICKET INFORMATION

THE LITTLE MERMAID tickets range in price from $51.50-$121.50 (all prices include a $1.50 facility fee). Tickets are available at DisneyOnBroadway.com, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street), Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717. For group sales and information, please call 800-439-9000. Performance & holiday schedule varies, check online for current schedule (running time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.)