The White Plains Examiner

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Sparkles at the White Plains Performing Arts Center

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Princess Ariel and King Triton.
Princess Ariel and King Triton.

The New York regional premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, starring Broadway’s John Treacy Egan as the sea witch “Ursula,” will be on-stage until January 4 at the White Plains Performing Arts Center.
Based on the 1989 Disney film and one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken; lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater and a book by Doug Wright.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid tells the story of a beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, who longs to leave her home in a magical kingdom beneath the sea to live in the world above. Disney’s The Little Mermaid will capture your heart with its and irresistible score that includes the hit songs “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”
Fresh from Broadway, the NY Regional Premiere of The Little Mermaid is taking audiences on an exciting journey ‘under the sea’ with Ariel, one of Disney’s most beloved princesses. The White Plains Performing Arts Center is honored to be the first professional theatre in New York to present this iconic show since it was on Broadway. John Treacy Egan, who was “Chef Louis” in the original Broadway production; is a Westchester resident with an extensive performance career including the Broadway productions of  Casa Valentina, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid, The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde and Bye, Bye Birdie.

Spellbound by the artfully designed stage set—you really do get the feeling of going under the sea – youngsters at WPPAC’s Friday night premiere, sang along to familiar songs and once again fell in love with their favorite character Ariel.

For the older children in the audience – us adults – the Hans Christian Anderson tale holds a wealth of wisdom about life and relationships that never seem to lose their depth of meaning. There’s enough provocative script to read between the lines to make you cry and make you laugh, and reach your hand out to lovingly pat the knee of your young daughter as you recognize yourself as the parent in King Triton’s role.

The WPPAC cast performing “Under the Sea.”
The WPPAC cast performing “Under the Sea.”

The musical numbers “Under the Sea” and “Les Poissons” rival those of any Broadway show.
The production is directed by Jeremy Quinn (WPPAC’s Producing Artistic Director) with music direction by Stephen Ferri (Les Miserables, Disney’s On the Record) and choreography by Lexie Fennell Frare (Les Miserables, Disney’s On the Record) with set design by Evan Hill, lighting design by Jamie Roderick and sound co-designed by Jonathan Hatton and Scott Tunkel.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid performs at the White Plains Performing Arts Center located on the third level of City Center off Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains. Tickets start at $25.
For tickets: visit the theatre box office Monday-Friday (11a.m. to 6 p.m.), purchase the tickets online at www.wppac.com or call 914-328-1600. For Group Sales, contact barbara@wppac.com.

WPPAC’s Conservatory Theatre is offering a two-day “The Little Mermaid” workshop for grades 2 to 12, December 29 to 30; 10 a.m. to 4p.m.. Students will focus on scene work, music and choreography from the show, work with production staff members and meet some of the cast. The fee is $180. Contact education@wppac.com for more information and registration.

 

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