Syracuse, NY – Put the “sea” in the holiday season with the family favorite musical “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” at Syracuse Stage Nov. 25 – Jan. 8. Tickets are available now at www.syracsuestage.org or through the Box Office (315-443-3275). All ticket purchases are protected by Syracuse Stage’s “Worry Free Guarantee,” which provides automatic refunds to patrons if performances are canceled.
Based on the phenomenally popular 1989 animated motion picture (Academy Award for Best Score and Best Song “Under the Sea”), “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid determined to explore life beyond the depths of her watery home. A trip above the surface of the sea sets her on a romantic adventure filled with possibility and fraught with peril, as she enters into a dangerous bargain with the sea witch Ursula.
As the first princess released in the Disney Renaissance era, Ariel made a splash in 1989 for being the first modern heroine. The New York Times referred to her as “a spunky daredevil.” And Roger Ebert praised the character, “Ariel is a fully realized female character who thinks and acts independently, even rebelliously.”
In addition to “Under the Sea,” the vibrant score includes “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” “The World Above,” “Sweet Child,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and many more sung by a beloved cast of characters including Flounder, Sebastian, Chef Louis, Scuttle and, of course, Prince Eric.
Co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” features a cast of 35 led by the accomplished performer Katie Emerson as Ariel. Emerson has performed the role previously under the direction of Melissa Rain Anderson, who returns to Syracuse Stage to guide this production.
Anderson said she believes this is a great tale to tell at the holidays because it offers an opportunity to “get behind a real hero” who gives up her home and much more in order to fulfill her life.
“It shows just how strong you have to be to become who you are destined to be,” she said.
Assisting Anderson in bringing the show to the stage is a creative team of talented designers and artists. Syracuse Stage veteran Brian Cimmet returns as music director and conducts an 11-piece orchestra. Choreography is by Adam Cates. Kimberly V. Powers is the scenic designer with fantastical costumes by Rafael Castanera and wigs by Jason Estrada. Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz is the lighting designer and Syracuse Stage veteran Jacqueline R. Herter is the sound designer.
The return of 2 Ring Circus to Syracuse Stage (“The Wizard of Oz,” 2017) adds high flying aerial excitement to the production. 2 Ring’s special circus skills and acrobatics make this production a version of the musical “not done by anyone before,” said Anderson. “The characters will dance in the air.”
“The holiday time is a great time for families at Syracuse Stage,” said Bob Hupp, artistic director, Syracuse Stage. “This season is especially exciting as we welcome back 2 Ring Circus to help us create a truly magical production of ‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid.’ Watching this cast light up the rehearsal room, I can’t wait for our community to see them on stage in this stunning production.”
With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” ran for 50 previews and 685 performances on Broadway from 2008 to 2009. It received a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. It has had numerous productions around the world.
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film that was produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements
Originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions
Orchestrations by Danny Troob
Incidental music and vocal arrangements by Michael Kosarin
Dance arrangements by David Chase
Directed by Melissa Rain Anderson
Musical Direction by Brian Cimmet
Choreography by Adam Cates
Scenic design by Kimberly V. Powers
Costume design by Rafael Castanera
Lighting design by Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz
Sound design by Jacqueline R. Herter
Wig design by Jason Estrada
Associate music director: Jacob Stebly
Associate choreographer: Andrea Leigh-Smith
2 Ring Circus: Joshua Dean, Ben Franklin
Production Stage Manager: Stuart Plymesser*
Casting: Bass/Valle Casting
Co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama
Special Events
Nov. 30 – Dec. 4: M&T Bank Pay-What-You-Will Performances
There will be 76 tickets available for whatever price patrons wish to pay over the course of five days. Pay-what-you-will tickets must be claimed in person at the Box Office or by phone on the day of the performance wished to be seen, subject to availability. The Box Office opens at 10 a.m. Monday – Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday and will remain open until the start of the show. There is a limit of four tickets per person.
Dec. 4 at 1 p.m.: Prologue (free for ticket holders at 2 p.m. performance)
A pre-show discussion with Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp who will share behind-the-scenes information about “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” one hour prior to curtain. Prologue will be held in the Sutton Pavilion.
Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.: Wednesday @ 1 Lecture (free for ticket holders at 2 p.m. performance)
Join Leo Rode, education coordinator at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo for a talk about the real life under the sea creatures found in “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” The lecture will be held in the Archbold Theatre.
Dec. 7: Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Dec. 8: Happy Hour
Join us before the 7:30 p.m. performance for Happy Hour. Drink specials, complimentary appetizers and live entertainment begin at 6 p.m. in the Sutton Pavilion.
Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.: Prologue (free for ticket holders)
A pre-show discussion with Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp who will share behind-the-scenes information about “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” one hour prior to curtain. Prologue will be held in the Sutton Pavilion.
Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.: ASL Interpreted Performance at 2 p.m. for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Dec. 11: Actor Talkback (free for ticket holders at 7:30 p.m. performance)
A Q&A session with the actors following the 7:30 p.m. performance. The talkback will be held in the Archbold Theatre.
Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.: Prologue (free for ticket holders)
A pre-show discussion with Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp who will share behind-the-scenes information about “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” one hour prior to curtain. Prologue will be held in the Sutton Pavilion.
Dec. 17: Audio Described Performance at 2 p.m. for patrons who are blind or visually impaired.
Dec. 17: Open Captioning at 7:30 p.m. performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Dec. 18: Open Captioning at 2 p.m. performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Jan. 7 at 2 p.m.: Sensory Friendly Performance
The Sensory Friendly performance provides a welcoming environment that lets all patrons express themselves freely without judgment or inhibition. This live theatre experience invites and encourages individuals with autism, ADD, ADHD, dementia, and sensory sensitivities to enjoy the performance in a “shush-free” zone.
All tickets for the Sensory Friendly performance are $30 and include a 100% refund right up to the start of the show.
