BWW Reviews: Hale Centre Theatre's Breathtaking THE LITTLE MERMAID Shimmers

Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley does not disappoint with its sumptuous production of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID.

The show (music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright) tells the beloved tale of a young mermaid named Ariel who will give anything, even her beautiful voice, to be with Prince Eric--a human with whom she has fallen in love. But will he fall in love with her in return before it's too late?

THE LITTLE MERMAID is a Broadway musical as much deserving of success as the hit animated film on which it's based. With a shimmering score that features both old and new favorites, it has all the makings of a hit. Thankfully, the show is beginning to get its "day in the sun." The new licensed version features a number of revisions from the original Broadway version, including new, cut, and reordered songs, as well as book changes. For the most part, these revisions improve the storytelling, although some of the cut music is missed.

Hale Centre Theatre's production does justice to the material in a massive production that shimmers in its own right. The production team, helmed by director John Sweeney, has conjured a whimsical undersea world and an even more magnificent "world above." The striking choreography by Geoffrey Reynolds (with aerial work by Ramsi Nia Stoker) and superb music direction by Kelly DeHaan pulls all the right heartstrings as the story plays out across the exquisite, colorful background created by Kacey Udy (set design), Adam Flitton (lighting design), Tamara Baker and Jennifer Stapley Taylor (costume design), Trisha Ison and Krissa Lent (hair and makeup design), and Michelle Jensen (properties).

Some of the highlights: Flounder (Thomas Wood, double cast with Tyler Rowe) and Ariel's sisters shake and shimmy on the constantly rotating stage in "She's in Love"; lamplight pierces through the rising fog in the haunting ballad "Her Voice," sung by Price Eric (Jon Rose, double cast with Taylor Morris); Sebastian (Conlon Bonner, double cast with David Martin) stuns vocally as the costumes and dance wow in "Under the Sea"; and a breathtakingly gorgeous ballroom, featuring deep purple lace and a ship-shaped chandelier serves as the setting for the lovely song and dance number "One Step Closer."

One of the most poignant songs ever written for the musical theatre is the quartet "If Only," in which Ariel (Amy Shreeve Keeler, double cast with Bre Welch), Prince Eric, Sebastian, and King Triton (Rhett Richins, double cast with Bryce Clifton), express their innermost desires. Heartbreakingly sung, masterfully staged, and gloriously lit, it is the pinnacle of this production's creative achievement.

Ariel's iconic voice comes to life through Keeler's expressive, crystal clear singing voice. Her "Part of Your World" and "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" wonderfully capture the character's youthful longing while demonstrating mature vocal technique, as did original Ariel actresses Jodi Benson (film) and Sierra Boggess (Broadway).

Also worthy of praise are Ariel's seagull pal, Scuttle (Trevor Dean, double cast with Aaron Ford) and deliciously evil foils, Ursula (Camille Van Wagoner, double cast with Brooklyn Pulver Kohler), Flotsam (Jeremy Egan, double cast with Darren Robinson), and Jetsam (Matthew Richards, double cast with Ben Butters).

THE LITTLE MERMAID plays through August 1, 2015. For tickets, call the box office at 801-984-9000 or visit www.halecentretheatre.org.

Photo Credit: L-R Conlon Bonner (Sebastian), Taylor Morris (Prince Eric), Amy Shreeve Keeler (Ariel)

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