The Friday 5: CCP's THE LITTLE MERMAID's Ruff, Cooper & Graham

Cumberland County Playhouse starts the summer with a splash as Disney's The Little Mermaid opens on tonight! Based on Hans Christian Andersen's timeless tale, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a family musical that features classic songs: "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl," and the Academy Award-winning "Under the Sea."

Twenty-four years after the original film was released, The Little Mermaid continues to capture the hearts of children and parents alike with its tale of Ariel, an adventurous, free-spirited young mermaid who longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. The show's musical score is composed by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, with new songs by Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright.

Today's Friday 5 introduces you to longtime CCP veteran Michael Ruff, along with Harli Cooper (Ariel) and Blake Graham (Prince Eric)...read on, then make your reservations: tickets are going fast!

Michael Ruff

What was your first "live onstage taste of theatre"? Every Easter from the time I could remember I had to do an Easter speech at my Dad's Church that's where my love of performing actually began in the church.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? My headphones and my favorite playlist.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? Wow there are so many but I'll have to go with last year's production of In Laws and Outlaws and Other People Who Should Be Shot..there was a scene where I brought in a basket of rolls and this particular show there were NO rolls so I had to go on and communicate with my eyes that there were no rolls which provided quite the entertainment for the cast!

What's your dream role? It's a toss-up between CoalHouse in Ragtime and my new obsession Aaron Burr in Hamilton

Who's your theatrical crush? Oh my...Lin Manuel Miranda, for sure; the guy is a lyrical master the way he puts phrases and lyrics together is amazing I would just love to have a conversation with him!!!

SUPER-SECRET EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see THE LITTLE MERMAID? This show encompasses all that is good and with everything that's going on in the world right now this show is the perfect family escape to the theater and to be honest the show is just so much fun to be a part of and I'm blessed to be doing it!!!! It's definitely one not to miss, and don't tell anyone but Sebastian's costume is amazing!

Harli Cooper (Ariel)

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? To be honest, I don't remember specifically. I was very fortunate to have parents that took me to shows at a very young age. They took me to my cousin's high school performances and to shows at our local theatre. I auditioned for my first musical (Annie) on a whim when I was eight...It wasn't until I was actually on stage doing it that I really fell in love...And here we are 17 years later.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? My rituals change for every show I'm in... Sometimes it's listening to music that puts me in the time period, sometimes it's finding a moment to be alone. But I always do take a moment right before I go on to "breathe" into the role-- I think of who this person is and how they see the world, what tempo their heart beats. I just take a few deep breaths in that person, as that person, and then I can go share their story.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? I was doing Little Women the Musical in college and playing Amy. Our Beth ended up getting sick right after opening and could not sing--
not a note. Being as we had no understudies, it fell to me to sing her solos. I stood in the wings while she mouthed the words for six performances.

What's your dream role? I want to play Dot in Sunday in the Park with George. It's my absolute favorite show. It's rarely done though, so I'm keeping my little fingers crossed that it will work out one day.

Who's your theatrical crush? I think Christian Borle is just the coolest. He was Emmett in Legally Blonde and Shakespeare in Something Rotten. He has brilliant comedic timing but also can be the sweetest little boy next door with a voice I'd listen to all day. What a guy.

SUPER-SECRET EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see THE LITTLE MERMAID? This cast and crew have put together such a beautiful show for you. I'm inspired by these people each and every day. To take these brilliantly talented people under a nurturing and encouraging director then put them in beautiful costumes AND THEN put them on to this stunning set with magical lighting AND THEN give them this sweeping orchestra being conducted by the kindest musical director...You just can't miss it. You just can't.

Blake Graham (Prince Eric)

What is you first "live onstage" experience of theatre? I was never a performer until high school. I auditioned for the school show choir and got in. I loved performing, but I wasn't truly invested in it until we took a choir trip to Chicago and I saw my first musical, Jersey Boys. I was enthralled. That night when I left the theatre I knew I wanted to perform as a career.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I have always played baseball, so before the curtain rises I always pantomime swinging a bat for a little bit of batting practice. It helps to relax my mind and focus, finding my rhythm and timing for the show. Always helps to prepare me for "knocking it out of the park."

What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? It wasn't so much of a moment as it was a week long ordeal. I was playing Joe Hardy in the Cumberland County Playhouse's 2014 production of Damn Yankees. Nearly midway through the show's run, I got sick and my singing voice was completely lost. Seeing that I had no understudy, I had to perform for an entire week with no voice to sing all my songs. It was a very frustrating time, considering my singing is what I usually what I hang my hat on.

What's your dream role? There are tons of roles I would love to play, but the one I'm most passionate about is Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES. I love his journey of redemption and truth, and his songs are some of my absolute favorites in theatre. I'm still a little young to be able to pull it off, but perhaps in a few years I can make my dream a reality.

Who is your theatrical crush? I have always admired the work of Laura Osnes. She is tremendously talented and absolutely lovely. I first saw her perform as Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes on Broadway, and I fell for her along with everyone else in the audience. She is a real-life Disney princess.

SUPER-SECRET EXTRA-SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: Why should people come see THE LITTLE MERMAID? This show is Disney come to life. I had all the fun, excitement, and heart as the film we all know and love. We have been guided by an incredible production staff, and the cast is stuffed to the gills with talent. We have created a beautiful show together. One that everyone is sure to enjoy.

About the show: Cumberland County Playhouse starts the summer with a splash as Disney's The Little Mermaid opens on June 17! Based on Hans Christian Andersen's timeless tale, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a family musical that features classic songs: "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl," and the Academy Award-winning "Under the Sea." Twenty-four years after the original film was released, The Little Mermaid continues to capture the hearts of children and parents alike with its tale of Ariel, an adventurous, free-spirited young mermaid who longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. The show's musical score is composed by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, with new songs by Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright.

The new CCP production of The Little Mermaid reunites the entire creative team from last year's smash hit Mary Poppins: Britt Hancock (Director), Rebel Mickelson (Costume Design), Curtis Phillips (Set Design), Christopher van Tuyl (Lighting Design), Ron Murphy (Music Director) Leila Nelson (Choreographer) and John Fionte (Projections). The cast features Playhouse newcomer Harli Cooper as Ariel, Blake Graham (Damn Yankees) as Prince Eric, Michael Ruff(Shrek) as Sebastian, Leila Nelson (Damn Yankees) as Ursula, Joseph Wilson (Southern Fried Nuptials) as King Triton,Alyssa Freeze and Chavin Medina as Flounder, Ross Griffin (Smoke on the Mountain) as Flotsam, Christopher Cardelia as Jetsam, Daniel Black (Southern Fried Nuptials) as Scuttle and Jason Ross (Scrooge) as Grimsby.

"I'm thrilled to be working on this wonderful show," says director Hancock. "This is Disney storytelling at its very best and it promises to be a magical experience for everyone."

Producing Director Bryce McDonald added, "Because The Little Mermaid is such a family favorite, we're bringing back one of our most popular promotions for one performance only. On Sunday, June 26, we're offering our 'Family Fun Pack' special. For $66.00, families can get 2 adult tickets, 2 children's tickets, a free bag of popcorn and 50% off two drinks at the concession stand (a $20 savings). The ticket discount ($22 adult tickets, $11 kids' tickets) applies to any number or combination of tickets. The offer is subject to availability and is good for the June 26 2:30 matinee only."

Disney's The Little Mermaid runs through August 28. Tickets may be obtained by calling (931) 484-5000 or visiting www.ccplayhouse.com.

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