Shine up your “dinglehopper,” freshen up your “snarfblat” and get your “thingamabobs” in line. After enchanting audiences around the world for more than 35 years, “The Little Mermaid” makes a splash at Arizona Broadway Theatre from Friday, June 21, to Sunday, Aug. 4.
For Glendale residents Alyssa Armstrong and Carter Wells, getting a chance to be part of this production is a dream.
Wells, a sixth grader at Highland Lakes School, plays Flounder, Ariel’s dutiful fishy friend. It is a role he shares with two other local child actors, Kingston Petty-Purcell of Phoenix and Jackson Beeson of Payson.
“This is my debut role at Arizona Broadway Theatre, and I am so excited to be part of the production,” Wells said. “For the past year my mom and I have been going to shows at ABT, and now to actually be onstage as Flounder and have a solo is really cool.”
Based on Disney’s beloved 1989 animated classic film, the stage musical is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s story of an adventurous mermaid princess with a knack for disobeying the rules and following her heart.
Her fascination with the human world leads her to the ocean’s surface, a zone designated “off-limits” by her father, King Triton. Ariel just can’t help it; she wants to see how the other half lives. On one of her adventures to the surface, she sets her sights on Prince Eric and will do just about anything to become part of his world, even if it means trading her voice to the king’s arch nemesis, Ursula, to make it happen.
“Our production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ is the epitome of sweet nostalgia and will take audiences back in time to the place they were when they first saw the heartwarming love story,” said Kurtis Overby, artistic director at Arizona Broadway Theatre. “With all the songs you love and characters you remember, audiences of all ages can expect a whimsical adventure under the sea and a night filled with romance, comedy and award-winning music.”
The Arizona Broadway Theatre stage is not new to Armstrong, who is playing sassy and talented mer-sister Alana. Her first performance at the West Valley theater was in 2012 when she debuted as Peaches, an orphan in the musical “Annie.” Since then, Armstrong has been in more than a dozen different productions.
“‘The Little Mermaid’ was definitely my favorite Disney movie growing up,” she said. “This will be my third time in a production of ‘The Little Mermaid,’ but it is the one show I never get tired of. I’ve gotten the chance to be a seagull, Ariel in a youth production, and now a mer-sister.
“One of the best things about being an actor is the impact you can make on people’s lives. Stepping into someone else’s shoes; bringing a character to life; and takingan entire audience,whether it’s 20 people or 20,000 people, on a journey full of laughter, hope and emotion is gratifying and what live theater is all about.”
The production will be a feast for the eyes including costumes made by talented local artisans and the use of Arizona Broadway Theatre’s $250,000 interactive LED wall, which measures 20 feet tall and 30 feet wide and includes more than 5 million pixels. This is the only one of its kind in the state.
“The LED wall allows scenic designers to incorporate a richer and deeper way to tell stories through video and effects,” Overby added. “With ‘The Little Mermaid,’ we are able to convey the underwater story in a more captivating way with an electric-colored set and an ocean that comes alive to enhance an already magical show.”
“The Little Mermaid” stage production includes music byTony and Oscar award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyrics byHoward Ashmanand Glenn Slater. The enchanting musical includes well-known songs like “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
“One of the things I love about being in a show like ‘The Little Mermaid’ is you get to see the cast and characters come to life right before your eyes,” Armstrong said. “Everyone involved has put their heart and soul into this production to create magic for each and every one of the families that step through our doors.”
The Arizona Broadway Theatre cast also includes Jasmine Bassham as Ariel, Tim Shawver as Grimsby, Richard Chaz Gomez as King Triton, Lynzee Foremanas Ursula the Sea Witch, Troy Wheeler and Ben Milan-Polisar as Flotsam and Jetsam, Malcolm Jamal King as Sebastian, and Danny Feldman as Scuttle.
“There are so many great things about this show, but one of my favorites is the friendship between Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian,” Wells added. “I think audiences will connect with their loyalty and love for each other, even when times get tough.”
Unlike any other theater in the Valley, Arizona Broadway Theatre provides an all-encompassing experience combining world-class dining and entertainment. For each show, a team of award-winning chefs creates a custom food and beverage menu.
For patrons who love Disney, Arizona Broadway Theatre is running a special promotion for its holiday production of “Beauty and the Beast,” onstage Friday, Nov. 15, to Sunday, Dec. 29. Patrons who purchase tickets to “The Little Mermaid” will get the option to reserve tickets to “Beauty and the Beast” and receive a free dinner. Ask about the promotion when purchasing tickets.
