Jessica Grove, Alan Mingo Jr. and More Star in Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID at North Carolina Theatre, Now thru 8/3

North Carolina Theatre (NCT), the region's premier producer of professional Broadway musicals now celebrating 30 years, has announced the casting for their upcoming original production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, their final show of the 2013/14 season. This will be the professional regional premiere of the production, running from today, July 29 to August 3, 2014 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

Based on the Disney Classic movie, Disney's The Little Mermaid, and with music by Oscar-winning Disney tunesmith Alan Menken, Disney's The Little Mermaid was nominated for two 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Original Score. The show tells the story of a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel who longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.

Cast in the role of "Ariel" is Jessica Grové, who has played the role at Paper Mill Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Kansas City Starlight, Sacramento Music Circus and Theatre Under the Stars. Her Broadway credits include A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and LES MISERABLES, in addition to a long list of regional and national tour appearances.

The production will also star Alan Mingo Jr. as "Sebastian," a role he understudied on Broadway in 2008. In the role of "Prince Eric" is Ian Parmenter in his third production at NCT, having previously appeared as Combeferre in LES MISERABLES ('14), and Munkustrap in CATS ('13).

NC Theatre is also proud to announce eighteen students from their flagship training program, the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory in North Raleigh, appearing in the production, including Joseph Gaitens in the role of "Flounder". He has previously appeared on our stage in LES MISERABLES and Oliver!

The creative team includes Artistic Director Casey Hushion, Producer Carolee Baxter, Musical Director/Conductor Ed Goldschneider, Choreographer Brian J. Marcum, and Director Jennifer Werner. Jennifer Werner's credits include Associate Director of The Book of Mormon on Broadway, and Director and

Choreographer of Disney's The Little Mermaid at TriArts Sharon Playhouse, and Director of Monty Python's Spamalot at TriArts Sharon Playhouse. Werner is also an accomplished choreographer and performer, and previously choreographed the NCT production of Phantom ('08).

Disney's The Little Mermaid originally opened on Broadway January 10, 2008 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and ran for a total of 685 performances. The magnificent score includes all of the beloved songs from the movie, including "Part of Your World", "Under the Sea", and "Kiss the Girl", as well as new songs written specifically for the musical version.

Performance Schedule:

Tuesday, July 29: 7:30PM
Weds, July 30: 7:30PM
Thursday, July 31: 7:30PM
Friday, Aug 1: 7:30PM
Saturday, Aug 2: 2:00PM
Saturday, Aug 2: 7:30PM
Sunday, Aug 3: 2:00PM
Sunday, Aug 3:30PM

For tickets to NC Theatre's production of The Little Mermaid, visit www.NCTheatre.com or call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Groups of 10 or more, call 919-831-6941 x5204. Coming up next season: A Chorus Line, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Billy Elliot, Peter and the Star Catcher, Next To Normal, and Buddy: The Buddy Hall Story.

Pictured: Jessica Grove as Ariel in Theatre Under The Stars' production of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Photo by Bruce Bennett.

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