Review: THE LITTLE MERMAID at Fox Theatre

The national tour of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID swam into Atlanta yesterday and made one heck of a splash. The tour, originating at Theatre Under the Stars in Houston, clearly had a positive impact on natives as countless attendees wore their best mermaid attire, fins and sea shells included.

The best part of the night was realizing that even though there was an uncomfortable amount of children in the theatre, that was not the only generation present. Millennials, whole families comprised of adults and everyone in between bonded over our favorite songs and a story that has become a staple in our culture. A story that was ahead of its time that has been empowering young people all over the world to be their own person. A story that clearly has left its mark on plenty of generations since the film's release in 1989.

The tour, and its incredibly talented cast, did an exceptional job representing the animated film and the 2008 Broadway musical. The multi-faceted, ever-changing set and brilliantly colored costumes allowed the audience to use their imagination to see the story how they wanted to. It allowed us to see the power of Triton's trident, the waves of the ocean and every other magical moment that happened under the sea.

If the imagery was not enough, the leads (most of which have been on Broadway) were incredibly talented. Diana Huey, Ariel herself, had an exceptional performance that made every audience member want to be a part of her world. Huey's voice gives every attendee exactly what they want in the most effortless way. Playing the villain, Jennifer Allen makes us love Ursula a little too much. Her wickedly good acting and stunning demeanor shape the character in the most refreshing of ways. Lastly, Melvin Abston plays the sassy yet loveable Sebastian. His charisma and charm bring the character to life that is authentic and truly entertaining. (Fun fact: I interviewed Melvin about the show last month.)

Overall, this show will make you want to flip your fins under the sea. Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID is in Atlanta through January 15, 2017, at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.

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