The Little Mermaid

Our production of “The Little Mermaid”, with music by Mark McGee and book and lyrics by Brenda Bell opened in November of 2000 at the Hitchcock-Rockefeller Auditorium on Lexington Avenue in NYC and most recently appeared at the Players Theatre in the fall of 2007

Click here to read reviews of The Little Mermaid.

The Story

Once upon a time there was a little mermaid who dreamed of the day when she would finally be old enough to explore the wonders of the world above the sea. When her turn comes, she is not disappointed. In fact she saves a young prince from drowning in a shipwreck and falls deeply in love with him. Now her longing increases, as she desires to become a mortal so she can marry her young prince; but as with all dreams, there are sacrifices. The little mermaid soon learns that getting her wish means making hard choices. She also learns how much she is willing to give up for someone she loves.

The Show

Everyone will enjoy the shows rousing show tunes including "The Mermaids Ball" not to mention the beautiful sets and costumes. The talented cast is headed up by the mermaid sisters, Coral (the little mermaid), Shelly and Pearl, a comic-singing trio featured in numbers like "Deep Sea Blues" and "Longing to See Anything but Sea", done ala Andrews Sister style. No telling of "The Little Mermaid" would be complete without the evil Fish-witch; the "Diva of the Deep". In her own mini-cabaret act, she reveals the truth about herself to the audience as she brings the house down belting out "Misunderstood". Todd Eric Hawkins plays the loving father, King Neptune. Parents will easily identify with the trials he endures while raising his six mermaid princesses. He tries to offer valuable advice in "Pearls of Wisdom" and reflects on the laughter and tears of parenthood in "Loving and Letting go".

The Workshop

Don't miss this opportunity to meet some members of the cast and artistic team. Prior to each performance, families' may participate in an arts workshop. Here the audience discovers how different art forms bring literature to life. They learn some of the movement and music from the show and create a sea creature that glows in the dark when placed on the stage. We highly recommend joining us in the workshop to get the full "Literally Alive" experience!

About Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen was born into the humblest of situations on April 2, 1805. With nothing to sustain him but sheer will and determination (much like his little mermaid), Hans left his little hometown of Odense, Denmark and headed for Copenhagen. The adventures that lie ahead were as exciting as any tale he would come to write. He managed to obtain a full education, the favor of prominent and influential society people, and the admiration of his artistic peers, all while entertaining young and old with what would become his timeless classics. He wrote a variety of plays, novels, travel articles, and stories but was best know for his children's fables. He wrote "The Little Mermaid" in 1837 and enjoyed a full a prosperous career until he died at age 70.

Hans once said "The whole world is a series of marvels, but we're so used to them that we call them everyday things!"

For the better part of two centuries, Hans Christian Andersen has continued to remind us of the everyday marvels in all our lives.

LITERALLY ALIVE (TM): The Little Mermaid An enchanting retelling of the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale with musical styles ranging from Big Band to Blues to Swing.