Spreckels Theatre to Take Audiences Under the Sea with Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID

The award-winning Spreckels Theatre Company takes audiences under the sea for the effervescent Broadway musical Disney's The Little Mermaid, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright.

Based on Disney's animated film inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, this fishy fantasy follows the adventures of a lovable, but impetuous mermaid princess named Ariel.

Despite warnings from her father, King Triton - Ariel continues to leave her father's kingdom to explore the human world and falls in love with a young man named Prince Eric. In order to be part of his world, Ariel makes a dangerous pact with the evil sea witch Ursula. Ariel finds herself (and her loved ones) trapped in Ursula's evil spell. Ariel and her sea friends prevail and love and happiness is restored in kingdoms on land and under the sea.

An underwater adventure for all ages, this enchanting production features vibrant costumes, exciting choreography, theatrical surprises and favorite tunes including "Under the Sea," "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls." This main stage production is presented with the new Paradyne projection system, developed by Spreckels Performing Arts Center, combining still images and animations to create multiple backdrop effects - creating a visual aesthetic that's exciting and visually surprising for audiences of the 21st Century.

Starring Julianne Thompson Bretan of San Rafael as Ariel, The Little Mermaid; Jacob Bronson as Prince Eric; Mary Gannon Graham as Ursula; Fernando Siu as Flounder; Sean O'Brien as Scuttle; Robert Finney as Sebastian; Steven Barker as King Triton; and featuring a large ensemble cast of sea creatures, sailors and members of King Triton and Prince Eric's courts.

Directed by Gene Abravaya, Disney's The Little Mermaid will feature music direction by Tina Lloyd Meals, choreography by Michella Snider and costumes by Pamela Enz

Performances play April 29 to May 22, 2016. Please note that performances for this production are at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. (7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1 p.m. Sundays and 1 p.m. Saturdays May 14 & May 21; 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19)

Tickets: $16 to $26 ($16 students; $22 youth; $24 seniors; $26 general). Click here to order tickets online, or call the Spreckels Box Office at 707-588-3400. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. and one hour before showtime.

Student Rush: Spreckels welcomes SSU and SRJC students to take advantage of its student rush price. Present student ID at the Spreckels box office 10 minutes before curtain for special admission of $12. Reservations recommended.

Spreckels Performing Arts Center's Codding Theatre is located at 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. For more information, go to www.spreckelsonline.com.

Pictured: Julianne Thompson Bretan. Photo by Sarah Nelson.