Sierra Boggess Confirmed as The Little Mermaid's Ariel

Disney Theatrical Productions (Thomas Schumacher, Producer) is proud to announce Denver's own Sierra Boggess as 'Ariel' in the theatrical stage production of THE LITTLE MERMAID, based on the Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

THE LITTLE MERMAID will begin a seven-week engagement at Ellie Caulkins Opera House beginning July 26th, 2007 and officially open on August 23rd, 2007.

Thomas Schumacher said "We are delighted to announce Sierra Boggess is our Ariel. She is a thrilling young talent and I am certain audiences will discover that she was destined to play the beautiful young mermaid."

"I am so excited to be able to play this role," Sierra Boggess said. "Ariel is such an iconic Disney princess and to be able to bring her to life on the stage is a dream come true for me!"

Sierra Boggess (Ariel) Sierra is currently starring in Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, where she originated the role of Christine, under the direction of Hal Prince. Before Phantom, Sierra came directly from the Broadway National Tour of Les Miserables. Regional credits include West Side Story (Maria), The Boyfriend (Polly) and Pirates of Penzance (Mabel). Sierra created the role of Binky in Princesses at Goodspeed and again at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. She was also a part of Lincoln Centre's "American Songbook Series" performing in Go the Distance: The Lyrics of David Zippel. Sierra received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University. Her first acting job was in a shark costume at Denver's indoor aquarium, educating children who came to learn about life under the sea. Sierra's excited to be promoted to mermaid!

Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Led by director Francesca Zambello, some of the theatre's most innovative artists will gather this summer to create THE LITTLE MERMAID with a score featuring the 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 frequent collaborator, the legendary Howard Ashman. There are 11 new songs by Mr. Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® -winning playwright Doug Wright.

Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID's visionary team of artists include Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear (choreography), George Tsypin (scenic design), Tatiana Noginova (costume design), Tony Award® winner Natasha Katz (lighting design), Angelina Avallone (make-up design) and David Brian Brown (hair design).

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, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice.

TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets to the Denver production go on sale on March 18th, 2007. Visit www.denvercenter.org for more information.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts hosted the opening of Disney's national touring production of The Lion King in 2002 and recently had a triumphant return engagement.