Review: Rivertown Leads Audiences Under the Sea in A Magical Rendition of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID

If you need a break from this summer's wet 'n wild weather, swim on over to Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts for some inside fun as you enjoy their last show of the 2016-2016 season: Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID. For all of you Ariel fans out there, you know the story, you know the songs, and you know the movie word-for-word. The stage adaptation, although there are some added dialogue and songs, is the exact same story you've come to know and cherish. Ariel, youngest daughter of King Triton, has fallen in love with a human (gasp!). She makes a deal with her sea witch Aunt Ursula that allows her to pursue her love. Her father does not approve and sends his trusty sidekick Sebastian to look after her.

I was always a huge fan of THE LITTLE MERMAID growing up. In fact, when I was a kid, my ballet school did a version for our dance recital, and I had a blast! I was a seahorse and then an angelfish or something like that. The point is, I love this story and I know it well. One of the changes from the movie to musical that I adore is the addition of a couple of songs that highlight Ariel's sisters. They have a much bigger role in the musical, and sing a song with Flounder about Ariel being in love with Prince Eric that is so upbeat and fun! I also love that we get some insight into how Ursula became the witch that she is in her song "Daddy's Little Angel." Great new songs, same story, so great!

In this particular production you can expect to see yet another gorgeous set design by Scenic Artist Shelbie Mac, Scenic / Prop Embellishment by Edward R. Cox, and Scenic Construction / Paint by Eric Porter, Cameron Duhe, Alison Franz, Lexi Mancuso, Jason Piglia, and Annie Wright. Seriously, y'all, this set is to die for! Shells, waves, sparkles, glimmer, colors, backdrops, Prince Eric's ship, Ariel's treasure trove, King Triton's Throne... it's really quite incredible. You can also expect to see unbelievable costumes, wigs, and stellar makeup that meshed perfectly together to create the optical display that is this production. (Sidenote: major shout out to whoever did Ursula's makeup... AMAZING!)

There are a few standouts in this cast that must be applauded. First, of course, is the lovely Christian Tarzetti who plays the leading mer-lady. Christian has a beautiful princess voice, and has just enough innocence and curiosity to play the part of Ariel perfectly. Trevor Brown plays Prince Eric, and has an exceptionally strong voice and and even stronger stage presence. Gary Rucker as Scuttle is hilariously clever, Jermaine L. Keelen makes a perfect Sebastian, and Christian Collins was an excellent Flounder. And last, but certainly not least, Drew Arnold as Ursula was completely and menacingly flawless. Applause, applause, applause all around to a fantastic cast in a fantastic show!

If you haven't already seen it, get your tickets now for Rivertown Theaters' production of THE LITTLE MERMAID. This is the last weekend, and it's a show you don't want to miss. This is a show for all ages! Adults, young adults, older adults, kids, tweens, teens, little bitties, and every other category I'm missing. It's classic. It's Disney. It's magic. It's colorful. It's fun. Visit http://www.rivertowntheaters.com for tickets and more information.

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