The Little Mermaid

Like so many others, I grew up watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The lyrics of those songs are ingrained on my brain to this day. So seeing Broadway Across America’s current production of the story is bittersweet. It was fun to revisit the characters, but it was impossible not to compare the musical with the movie as I watched.

The show contains quite a few new numbers, but not a single one is a stand out. Instead they feel like efforts to kill time in between the recognizable songs from the movie. “Daddy’s Little Angel” is particularly cringe-worthy. “Positoovity” is another example; Scuttle the seagull didn’t need his own number.

Even when the audience is treated to “Under the Sea” and “Part of your World” they fall a bit flat. It’s not the singing that’s off, but the production as a whole. Though the lead, Diana Huey, can belt out her parts beautifully, it’s hard to concentrate on her singing as she shimmies her way around the stage “swimming” through the set. The show works so hard on perfecting the technical aspects, like dangling swimming actors a dozen feet above the stage, that the emotion of the story is missing. 

If you're hoping for something on par with Broadway's production of the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, you might want to skip this one. The Little Mermaid just doesn't translate to stage as well. On the other hand, if you're hoping to take your kids to a fun live theatre performance, then this one will be perfect. It's geared towards little ones and they won’t be bothered by an annoying version or Flounder or the lackluster ending.

Don't Miss the Show 

The show runs until Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Old National Centre (Murat Theatre) so hurry to get tickets. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online here. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos courtesy of Broadway Across America