Fathoms Below

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

In 1989, the Walt Disney Studios released a delightful, uniquely imaginative and wonderfully entertaining animated musical film that was a creative reimagining of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The story told about a young mermaid who falls in love with a human being, who also happens to be a prince. Desperate to win the young man’s love, the little mermaid makes a Faustian bargain with the sea witch, trading her lovely voice and fish tail for legs so that she can leave her life “Fathoms Below” and live in the world above the sea.

“The Little Mermaid” ushered in an era of new Princess movies for children that was followed by “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin” and many other films. When Disney Theatricals adapted BEAUTY AND THE BEAST for the stage, it became a runaway hit. So, Disney hired Doug Wright to adapt the animated story for live actors. The award-winning composer and lyricist team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman were, once again, taxed with writing the score, with Glenn Slater providing additional lyrics. More songs were added to the stage version to make the show a length that could command the high Broadway ticket prices.

This family-oriented musical opened on Broadway in 2008, but it wasn’t as well-received as its predecessor and the show closed the following year. The production was nominated for a number of accolades, but didn’t win any awards. Changes were subsequently made to the plot, characters and score prior to a 2012 international production. The newly revised narrative proved to be much better, and this new version is the musical that Disney now licenses to all international and regional US theatres. Much more to my liking, there’s also a much shorter version of the musical that trims an entire hour off the two-and-a-half-hour running time, making it more child-friendly in length. This version also remains closer to the film that inspired it.

But Drury Lane’s excellent full-length production is a veritable jaw-dropping experience for all ages, thanks to a large team of gifted artists. Multi Jeff Award-winning Director Scott Weinstein has guided a number of excellent musical productions all over Chicagoland. He’s remembered at Drury Lane for his fine presentations of ROCK OF AGES and RING OF FIRE. Now he’s brought this Disney princess story to be a “Part of Your World” at the Oakbrook Terrace venue, ably assisted by Musical Director Ellie Kahn and Choreographer Kasey Alfonso. 

The production is beautifully brought to life by an additional army of unseen artists who’ve contributed to the production. The show’s greatly enhanced by Tijana Bjelajac’s imaginative Scenic Design, made even more beautiful by Anthony Churchill’s wonderful, watery Projections and Ryan O’Gara’s lovely Lighting Design, that splits the show’s locale between land and sea. Talented Designers Caitlin McLoed, Zachary Sun and Tom Lee have created some pretty outstanding Puppets that bring an oceanic fantasy to the Oakbrook stage. And, along with Lindsay Jones’ outstanding Sound Design and Cassy Schillo’s spot-on Properties, talented Co-Costume Designers Ryan Park and Zhang Yu’s incredibly inventive and colorful costumes, with delightful Wig & Hair Designs by Tommy Kurzman, this production delights and dazzles in both “The World Above” as well as “Fathoms Below.”

As always, the hallmark of a Drury Lane production is a talented cast of theatre professionals. And THE LITTLE MERMAID is not exception. I can’t imagine a more perfect actress to create the role of Ariel, the beautiful Little Mermaid. Recently appearing on Broadway in HERE LIES LOVE, Sarah Kay has a voice and a smile that will charm and warm the hearts of coldest theatergoer. She’s everything that Disney Theatricals could’ve imagined in this role and Ms. Kay’s going to have a lot of devoted fans after her accomplished performance. Hopefully Chicago audiences will enjoy this gifted triple-threat in many more shows to come.

She’s supported by a fantastic cast. Chicago favorite Sawyer Smith makes an eerie and absolutely evil sea witch named Ursula. Enjoyed in so many other wonderful roles, Sawyer’s been seen at Drury Lane in A CHORUS LINE, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS and MARY POPPINS. Writhing across the stage with six giant undulating tentacles at her feet, they create a dark and fearsome character who’s out for revenge against Ariel’s father, King Triton. With his gorgeous baritone, Triton’s played with command and complexity by handsome Anand Nagraj, a talented performer who toured as Jafar in Disney’s ALADDIN. And the object of Ariel’s affection, Prince Eric is portrayed by good-looking young Patrick Johnson. Making his Drury Lane debut, it’s hard believe this talented actor is currently a student at Chicago’s CCPA, but he’s experienced at playing fairy tale royalty. He was Prince Topher in Metropolis Theater’s production of CINDERELLA.

In addition to a magnificent ensemble of versatile actor/singer/dancers, who play a multitude of roles, Michael Earvin Martin (recently seen in Marriott’s terrific 1776), is wonderful as poor, put-upon Sebastian the Crab, Ariel’s teacher and guardian. Clever and accomplished musical actress Landree Fleming is hilarious as Scuttle the Seagull. Ariel’s land-living buddy particularly delights with their knowledge of questionable information. And Maya Lou Hlava sweetly plays Ariel’s chipper little fishy friend, Flounder. Along with Ariel’s six shining sisters, Flounder sings my favorite new song in this musical, the 50’s rock number, “She’s in Love.” And Ursula’s duo of explosively-tempered electric eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, are deliciously portrayed by the always wonderful Leah Morrow and Ryan Michael Hamman. 

Although the stage musical differs slightly from the popular animated film, this charming production THE LITTLE MERMAID is funny, moving and a spectacle for both the eye and ear. Directed by Scott Weinstein, with solid Musical Direction by Ellie Kahn and a full-sounding pit orchestra conducted by Chris Sargent, the production is supported by a superlative team of artists, both on- and off-stage. This beloved magical fairy tale is just one in a long history of past excellent productions at the Oakbrook Terrace venue. This family musical is perfect for the holidays, and will both teach and entertain audiences of all ages. It’s filled with funny, heartwarming characters, gorgeous music and stunning special effects. The best way to celebrate the holidays and escape the Winter blues is to take the plunge into “Fathoms Below” with Ariel and her friends at the Drury Lane Theatre.           

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 16-January 12 by Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Drury Lane box office, by calling 630-530-0111 or by going to www.DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area shows may be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.