Drury Lane Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, running from November 6, 2024, to January 12, 2025, is a magical undersea adventure that breathes new life into the beloved tale. Under the expert direction of Scott Weinstein, this production combines the timeless charm of the classic with innovative stagecraft and dazzling performances that leave audiences enchanted.
The show features the beloved music of Alan Menken, with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a book by Doug Wright, ensuring every moment is imbued with the charm and emotion fans expect. Musical highlights such as “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World,” and “Kiss the Girl” are presented with vibrancy and accompanied by engaging choreography by Kasey Alfonso, and puppetry by the performers with designs by Chicago Puppet Studio, which perfectly captures the aquatic life of the story’s characters.
You’ll see everything you remember from the animated classic, plus new songs help replace parts of the story that would not translate well to the stage and delve deeper into each character’s point of view. Prince Eric gets character songs “Her Voice” and “One Step Closer”, King Triton the wonderful “If Only” and Ursula rips it up with “Daddy’s Little Angel,” telling more about her past villainy and plot against Triton and Ariel. Each new song is a perfect fit within the already-familiar tale and they are melodically just as strong as the more familiar tunes.
Ellie Kahn’s music direction ensures that each note resonates deeply, supported by an ensemble cast that brings immense talent and passion to the stage. The puppetry and scenic design stand out as well, this is a hard show to bring to stage, with two absolutely different environments, but Tijana Bjelajac and team created a visually stunning undersea world, plus a convincing royal palace. Ariel’s aquatic companions, from Flounder to Sebastian, in the sure hands of Chicago Puppet Studio and co-designers Caitlin McLeod and Zachary Sun come to life in a way that are both playful and sophisticated, captivating audiences of all ages. And each cast member portraying one of these characters does a wonderful job ensuring the puppet is the star, no matter how complicated their own singing and acting role might be. It’s not quite the Muppet show, but they are doing a superb job.
The cast’s performances are uniformly excellent. Sarah Kay as Ariel captures her youthful longing and courage with heartfelt sincerity, while Patrick Johnson’s portrayal of Prince Eric is gallant and nuanced, showcasing the character’s inner struggle and ultimate bravery. The comedic timing and incredible voice of Michael Earvin Martin’s Sebastian, Maya Lou Hlava’s endearing and youthful Flounder and Landree Fleming’s manic Scuttle provide delightful moments of levity. Leah Morrow as Flotsam and Ryan Michael Hamman’s Jetsam were wonderfully sinister and had great chemistry together as the villainous minions. And what can you say, other than that Sawyer Smith’s Ursula was a fabulous showstopper every time they appeared.
The gaggle of Ariel’s sister mermaids, who double as the female chorus in all the numbers, are uniformly excellent and have great comedy chops. You really need to go see them. They’re utterly delightful individually and as a group.
Scott Weinstein’s direction and the creative team’s meticulous execution transform this adaptation into a celebration of love, self-discovery, and resilience. Families and Disney fans alike will find themselves swept away by the engaging visuals and the heartfelt performances.
Drury Lane Theatre’s The Little Mermaid is more than just a retelling of a classic; it’s a theatrical event that reminds audiences of the transformative power of live performance. With its blend of nostalgia, innovation, and sheer artistry, this production is a must-see for the holiday season.
For more information or to book tickets, visit the official Drury Lane Theatre website.
All photographs by Brett Beiner
Splash Magazines
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