Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr.

Photo by Seanna Kennedy.

A Walt Disney motion picture has the ability to transport its audience to a completely different world full of colour and music, qualities which make it easily adaptable to a lively stage production. The transition from film to stage is beautifully illustrated in the Lower Ossington Theatre's The Little Mermaid Jr., the hit Broadway musical, now on stage at the Al Green Theatre (Miles Nadal JCC). Disney's 1989 version of Hans Christian Andersen's tale comes alive in a slightly abridged, but no less enchanting production featuring the movie's famous tunes as well as new ones.

Adapted for a young audience, this journey under the sea with Ariel and her hilarious friends is a treat for all ages. As fans of the story, and the Disney movie, will remember, the spirited Ariel (played by Rebecca Sadowski) is the youngest daughter of King Triton (William Doyle), and the crown jewel among her sisters. Her adventurous nature leads her to skip a concert she was supposed to perform at, choosing instead to swim to the surface with her friends Flounder (April Clemmens) and Sebastian (Chris Vergara) in tow. At the surface, the audience is treated to “Human Stuff,” the first of several song and dance numbers performed by Scuttle (Kierans Jordan) a smooth talking seagull with a colourful knowledge of all things human. Upon returning to the underwater kingdom, Ariel is scolded by her father, but is not discouraged, as she returns to the surface again shortly after, this time finding herself part of a shipwreck carrying the handsome Prince Eric (Thomas Goetz).

Smitten with the Prince, Ariel's world is turned upside down as she makes a bargain with evil sea witch Ursula (Bianca Heuvelmans), trading her beautiful voice for legs and heading to the surface to try and win Prince Eric's heart in a matter of days. Fans of the 1989 movie will once again be enchanted by Alan Menken's music from the film, notably Sadowski's emotional “Part of Your World” and the unforgettable “Under the Sea” performed brilliantly by Chris Vergara and a chorus of various sea creatures.

The biggest surprise in this production is the new songs, from the Broadway musical, such as “She's in Love” performed by Ariel's sisters, which demonstrates their astonishment at her behaviour after meeting Prince Eric, and “I Want the Good Times Back,” performed by a bitter Ursula who recalls how life was before her banishment by King Triton. At only an hour long, The Little Mermaid Jr. retains all the fairytale qualities of the Disney film while throwing in a few surprises along the way. The cast members are clad in a variety of beautiful costumes that complement their talent as performers, making the production a joy to watch.

The Little Mermaid Jr. runs until August 31 at  the Al Green Theatre (Miles Nadal JCC). Click here For more information and to buy tickets.