Photo Flash: The Little Mermaid

Disney Theatrical Productions proudly presents the theatrical stage production of The Little Mermaid, based on the Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, began previews at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 3, for an official opening December 6, 2007.

The company features Sierra Boggess as Ariel, Sean Palmer as Prince Eric, Norm Lewis as King Triton, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, Eddie Korbich as Scuttle, Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby, Derrick Baskin as Jetsam, Tyler Maynard as Flotsam, Cody Hanford and J.J. Singleton as Flounder and Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula.

"The Little Mermaid takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice," describe press materials.

Francesca Zambello directs, with a score featuring classic songs "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea," composed by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and his longtime collaborator, the late Howard Ashman.  The musical debuts 11 new songs by Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.  Book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright. 

The cast also includes:  Adrian Bailey, Cathryn Basile, Heidi Blickenstaff, James Brown III, Robert Creighton, Cicily Daniels, John Treacy Egan, Tim Federle, Merwin Foard, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Ben Hartley, Meredith Inglesby, Michelle Lookadoo, Joanne Manning, Alan Mingo, Jr., Zakiya Young Mizen, Betsy Morgan, Arbender J. Robinson, Bret Shuford, Jason Snow, Chelsea Morgan Stock, Kay Trinidad, Price Waldman and Daniel J. Watts.

The creative team includes Stephen Mear (choreography), George Tsypin (scenic design), Tatiana Noginova (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), John Shivers (sound design), David Brian Brown (hair design), Angelina Avallone (make-up design), Sven Ortel (projection & video designer), Rick Sordelet (fight director) and Pichón Baldinu (aerial design).

Performances begin on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street, NYC) today, November 3, 2007. The official Broadway opening night is December 6. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 212-307-4747, online at www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, or in-person at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street).

Performance schedule is: Tuesdays – Saturdays at 8PM; Wednesdays & Saturdays at 2PM; and Sundays at 3PM.

Photos by Joan Marcus (unless otherwise noted)