The Little Mermaid

Matunuck – Get ready for an ocean of fun at Theatre By The Sea with Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The two-time Tony Award nominated show based on Disney’s Academy Award winning animated film has a cast of 22 excellent performers.

The cast of The Little Mermaid perform the Academy Award winning
Disney classic "Under The Sea."

            Fantastic lighting design by Bailey Costa brings the set to life, making audiences feel like they are underwater. Scenic designs also utilize strobe lighting, stage smoke, and bubbles to create delightful visual effects.

Adrienne Eller as Ariel during "The World Above."

            Recent N.Y.U. graduate Adrienne Eller is an endearing Ariel, who embodies the naive young mermaid. Eller’s constant and subtle motions give the illusion of swimming even when she is not on wires.

Nkrumah Gatling as Sebastian and Adrienne Eller as Ariel.

             Nkrumah Gatling makes a fun and highly enjoyable Sebastian in his Theatre By The Sea debut. He gives a lively performance in “Under The Sea” and “Les Poissons.”

Austin Colby as Prince Eric.

            The production would have been hard pressed to cast a better Prince Eric than Austin Colby, who brought a boyish charm to his scenes. During the number “The Storm,” Colby makes the wire-work look effortless.

Zachary Berger as Scuttle (center) during "Positoovity."

            Zachary Berger, who audiences may remember as Freddy in Theatre By The Sea’s last production of My Fair Lady, is an excellent Scuttle. His movements are gull-like, and his tap-dancing is perfection. Audiences are sure to love his number “Positoovity.”

            Keisha Gilles is a bigger-than-life Ursula, with the voice to match. Her performance in “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “Daddy’s Little Angel” is both impressive and entertaining.

Keisha Giles as Ursula,
with Robert Conte as Flotsam and Jetsam played by Daniel Hurst.

            Ursula’s henchmen Flotsam, played by Robert Conte, and Jetsam, played by Daniel Hurst, were an energetic duo. Costume designer Kurt Alger’s decision to have them wear wheeled shoes creates an effectively eerie gliding motion for the pair.

            Audience favorites include Disney classics “Under The Sea,” “Les Poissons,” and “Kiss The Girl.”

A.J. Hunsucker as Chef Louis during "Les Poissons."

            Theatre By The Sea's 2015 season will conclude with Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (August 19th to September 6th), while the remaining Children's Festival includes Legally Blonde Jr., The Airborne Comedians, and Bubbleology. Children’s Festival show times are 10 a.m. and noon, and tickets are $12.

            Owner Bill Hanney announced on opening night the musicals for the upcoming 2016 season will be The Buddy Holly Story, Grease, Wizard of Oz, and Sister Act.

            The Little Mermaid will be playing at Theatre By The Sea through August 15th; for show times, please visit the website. Tickets are $45 to $65, and can be ordered online or purchased at the box office.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Theatre By The Sea's website at www.theatrebythesea.biz or call their box office at 401-782-8587.

Mersisters in The Little Merrmaid.

Photographs by Richard Steven Photography.