Review: “The
Little Mermaid”
By Alec Clayton
Published in The News Tribune, July 14, 2017
Ariel (Cherisse Martinelli), photo by Kat Dollarhide |
Fresh off the dizzying
experience of being the biggest winner at this year’s AACTFest, a national
competition of community theaters — winning eight top awards for “The Addams
Family” — Tacoma Musical Playhouse presents a sweet and romantic musical for
the entire family, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” This
is not a children’s play, it is theater for grown-ups with adult actors, but it
most definitely appeals to children. There were many in the audience opening
night, mostly little girls wearing Ariel’s crown (for sale in the lobby for
$5), and they clearly loved the show, even to the point of chasing bubbles in
the aisles.
It is not the most highly
polished show TMP has produced. It starts off slow and feels a bit wooden, but
becomes lively beginning with the big song-and-dance number “Under the Sea”
featuring Isaiah Parker as Sebastian the crab, and gets progressively better
from that point forward.
Most scenes take place
underwater, which created technical challenges that were unevenly met. Some of
the set pieces that are pushed on stage by hand are not up to TMP’s usual
excellent standards. The boat that Prince Eric (Colin Briskey) sails and the
big rocks on the seashore look like something seen in a school production. But
other set pieces, such as Ursula (Nancy Herbert Bach) the sea witch’s lair and
a palm tree-shaped coral with fish swimming around it, are marvelous.
John Chenault’s usual excellent
lighting lends an aura of magic to these sets. Interestingly, no set designer
is listed in the program, so I assume that was a group effort.
To further the illusion of being
underwater, many of the characters are flown on wires, which is done admirably,
and the mermaids move in waving motions throughout. They do so beautifully.
Based on the popular children’s
book by Hans Christian Anderson and the Disney movie of the same name, the
story is well known. Ariel (Cherisse Martinelli) falls in love with Prince Eric
and longs to become human. She agrees to a wager, giving her voice to the evil
undersea witch Ursula in exchange for a spell that makes her human for three
days. The horrible catch to the deal is she can’t speak and she must get Price
Eric to kiss her before time runs out or the spell will be broken and her soul
will be doomed to Ursula’s control forever.
Martinelli is highly expressive
as Ariel, in turn loveable, comical, love sick and pensive. She is delightful
in the scene where she is learning to walk on human legs. She’s as wobbly as a
newborn colt, and she keeps falling down with a precious look of surprise on
her face.
Parker is terrific as her
helpmate, Sebastian. I loved his mobile face and quick changes of expression,
and he sings sweetly.
Briskey has the clearest and
strongest singing voice of all the cast, and he plays Prince Eric as dignified
and down-to-earth.
Erik Furuheim as Chef Louis provides
the funniest passage in the play as he prepares a seafood dinner for Ariel
while singing “Les Poissons,” joined by the ensemble with a reprise as he
prepares to butcher poor Sebastian and serve him on a platter whereupon a
delightful slap-stick chase scene ensues.
Also outstanding is Jake Atwood
as the wisecracking seagull, Scuttle. His tap dancing backed by an ensemble of
dancing seagulls on the upbeat tune “Positoovity” is wonderful — with feathers
a flying.
Johnny Neidlinger is a
disappointment as King Triton. His costume and makeup were harsh and
unattractive, and his acting was stiff.
Typical of TMP, the large
ensemble numbers are the highlight of the show. Director Jon Douglas Rake’s
choreography is grand, as is the music by the great Alan Menken. Finally,
deserving of especial note is costume designer Jocelyne Fowler and assistant
Grace Stone. Their costumes are colorful and inventive; the mermaid’s dresses are
lovely, and some off the oddest ones, such as Ursula’s squid costume and the
long-tailed, lighted eels Flotsam and Jetson are hilariously creative.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday,
2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Tacoma Musical Playhouse
at The Narrows Theatre, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
TICKETS: $22-$31
INFORMATION: 253-565-6867,
http://www.tmp.org
No comments:
Post a Comment