‘The Little Mermaid’: Experience the splashing sensation at Hurricane Theatrical this summer

The stage is set for Hurricane Theatrical's production of "The Little Mermaid," Hurricane, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Hurricane Theatrical, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Having opened July 29, Hurricane Theatrical’s production of “The Little Mermaid” has indeed already proved itself to be magical. This classic story, created by Hans Christian Anderson and developed by music composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, demands nothing less.

The first time “The Little Mermaid” was performed in Southern Utah was in 2011 as a part of Tuacahn’s season; not an easy standard to follow. However, with costumes to marvel over, choreography to tempt you to dance in your seat and stunning vocals to move you, director Kyle Myrick has created a show that goes “Beyond (Our) Wildest Dreams.”

From the moment patrons walk inside the theater, they are greeted with oceanic lighting and music to be instantly transported “Under the Sea” and await their adventure. The show begins with Ariel (Samantha Myrick) finding herself always drawn to “The World Above,” and audiences can’t help but be drawn to this beautiful princess who seems to have come directly out of the classic Disney film.

Quickly after meeting Ariel, the audience meets Prince Eric (Jayden Wright) and his crew of sailors, who proclaim their love for the ocean and its “Fathoms Below.” With sailors swinging above the stage and out into the audience, it’s clear that “The Little Mermaid” is a high-energy show that you can’t take your eyes away from. 

“The Little Mermaid” demands much from each member of the cast, whether they’re leading, supporting or ensemble. Every member of the ensemble plays multiple characters, each as memorable as the last. Each actor delivers this show with integrity to the characters they portray and still manages to bring new elements to keep audiences intrigued.

The first of these elements were the similarities between the two royals of Ariel and Eric. The play expands on the fact that they both feel as if they don’t belong in their respective worlds and continuously search for where they can belong.

Additionally, there are the similarities between their father figures, King Triton (Bart Pace) and Grimsby (Nathan Merrill). Both are authoritative and well-meaning men trying to guide their children toward the paths preset before them, and eventually, they learn to let go enough for Ariel and Eric to find their own ways. Coincidentally, those ways lead the young royals to each other in one of the most famous Disney love stories.

Samantha Myrick as Ariel and Jayden Wright as Eric in Hurricane Theatrical’s production of “The Little Mermaid,” Hurricane, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Hurricane Theatrical, St. George News

But what is “The Little Mermaid” without Ariel’s beloved friends? Flounder (Isa Johnson) is Ariel’s closest fish friend who’s completely smitten with her but realizes where he stands on the totem pole as he discovers “She’s in Love” with someone else. Scuttle (Austin Jackson) is the silly scavenging seagull whose malapropisms are matched only by his endless “Positoovity,” which encourages Ariel as she faces a new world.

The friend of Ariel’s to watch is Sebastian, the seemingly cantankerous crab played by James David. While his versatile voice, comedic timing and honest reactions are a few reasons why the wow factor lies in the fact that “The Little Mermaid” is his acting debut!

Not to be discounted in any way is Ariel’s family. Each of the mersisters are as distinct in their personalities as they are in their color schemes. And the patriarch of the royal family does his best to raise his daughters while on his own and forever mourning the loss of his wife. As we are on the family strain of “The Little Mermaid,” how can there be any disregard for that mistress of the deep, Ursula? Grace Wells portrayed the vengeful sea witch on this particular night and was brilliant as such.

Aided by Flotsam and Jetsam (respectively played by Makayla Klumpp and Ashley Stackhouse), who are truly two halves of the same malcontent moray eel, Ursula aches to have revenge on her brother Triton through “Daddy’s Little Angel,” Ariel. Audience members, both children and adults, were sitting on the edges of their seats in anticipation of that evilly beloved song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and were graciously satisfied by Wells’s characterization and incredible voice.

There is one thing to be absolutely sure of in this production: The songs we all know, and love, are every bit as iconic on stage as they are in the film. The audience was filled with little girls who found it beyond difficult to sit still and not sing “Part of Your World.”

And the all-time favorites, “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl?” I heard audience members softly singing around me with smiles on their faces as the dancers and singers wonderfully delivered these renowned songs. With masterful lighting design by director Kyle Myrick and imaginatively costumed by Samantha Myrick, Grace Wells and Sue Sneed, audiences are stunned by the incredible quality of theatrical magic that they find at Hurricane Theatrical.

“The Little Mermaid” runs until Sept. 3 with performances on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays including Saturday matinées. “Swim for Your Life” to HurricaneTheatrical.com or call 435-668-9753 and reserve your seats now. Let this show be “Part of Your World” this summer!

Written by ALEINA LISTER, Playwright Public Relations.

• S P O N S O R E D  C O N T E N T • 

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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