CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Fresh from Hurricane Theatrical’s unconventional yet nostalgically and musically rewarding Southern Utah premiere of “The SpongeBob Musical,” director Kyle Myrick brings audiences “Under the Sea” once more with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”
Curious as to the reason for his oceanic theme in the 2022 season? Myrick explained how Hurricane Theatrical intended on bringing the ocean to Southern Utah through these high-energy and family-friendly shows to encourage community involvement, especially among children. Childhood involvement in the arts is also encouraged in Broadway or Bust, Hurricane Theatrical’s summer program.
In addition, “The Little Mermaid” extends the typical Hurricane Theatrical show run by a week to accommodate a show as big and popular as this. Aided by choreographer Sarah Rammaker and music director Nicole Kimzey, Myrick has created a show that can be summed up in one word: magical.
Following the story that’s well-known to those who grew up with the Disney movie, “The Little Mermaid” is a tale in which love, in all senses of the word, conquers all. Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton (Bart Pace), played by the incredibly talented Samantha Myrick (who also acts as the show’s costumer), is enchanted by “The World Above” and quickly falls in love with Prince Eric (Jayden Wright), whom she saves from drowning in a storm.
But with her father’s hatred of humans, Ariel is forced to go to her aunt Ursula (alternatively played by Karley Garrett and Grace Wells). Ursula, with the help of her morally askew moray eels Flotsam and Jetsam (Ashley Stackhouse and Makayla Klumpp), gives Ariel human legs in exchange for her angelic voice.
Without her voice, Ariel is caught in the troubles of the sea and the land. Chief amongst these troubles is the looming possibility that she will be enslaved by Ursula, and the fact that Eric is searching for the woman who saved him from the storm but can only remember “Her Voice.” It’s only through the help of her friends, Flounder the fish (Isa Johnson), Scuttle the seagull (Austin Jackson) and Sebastian the crab (James David) that this sea tale finds its happy conclusion rather than the tragic original ending by creator Hans Christian Anderson.
Make this show “Part of Your World” this summer and set sail to the Hurricane Fine Arts Center. This enchanting show opens July 29 and closes Sept. 3, with shows on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, which also include Saturday matinées. For more information, go to HurricaneTheatrical.com or call 435-668-9753.
Written by ALEINA LISTER, Playwright Public Relations.
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