Candlelight Pavilion Presents a Swimmingly Good LITTLE MERMAID

Disney's The Little Mermaid/book by Doug Wright/music by Alan Menken/lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater/directed by John LaLonde/choreographed by Chelsea Morgan Stock/musical director: Julie Lamoureux/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through September 1

Disney's The Little Mermaid is an entertaining treat ... it's aglow and scintillating for kids of all ages. Young kids laugh and hiss at Ursula and her mad pranks; older ones love Ariel's romantic reverie with the Prince. All the color and splendor of the ocean is onstage without water, and that has a lot to say about the creative team who strive to make us believe where we are. As technical aspects of the show are working smoothly, and splendid director John LaLonde and his vibrant cast are in full bloom, Candlelight Pavilion may take extreme pride in their lovely production, now through September 1.

Many have seen the film and know Ariel's (Erin Dubreuil) story of how terribly she wants to become a human. She swims to the surface of the sea with her friends Sebastian (Desmond Clark) and Scuttle (Alex Allen), but her father King Triton (Donovan Wright) is not pleased. In fact, when he finds the lair she has been hiding from him, in which she keeps things she has been collecting from her human encounters, he destroys them, prompting Ariel to escape. Ursula (Cody Bianchi), Triton's evil sister, who lost her control over the dominion of the sea to her brother, will stop at nothing to regain it. She makes a pact with Ariel. In exchange for her voice, Ariel may take human form and attempt to seduce earthly Prince Eric (Tyler Matthew Burk), with whom she has fallen in love. If within three days, he kisses her, she may remain human. If not, she must obey Ursula and remain her slave.

Of course, this is a fairy tale, so the ending is a happy one. Ursula is stripped of her powers, Triton keeps control and eventually surrenders and grants Ariel her freedom to become human, marry Eric...thereby uniting for all time the two royal kingdoms of sea and land.

Under John LaLonde's perfect pacing and liquid staging, the show is uber enjoyable to watch and the cast, delightful. Pretty Dubreuil makes a winning Ariel. She possesses an innate tenderness and ... a ferocious determination to pursue her dreams. Wright is a strong Triton, ultimately disciplined and unrelenting. Burk makes an attractive prince and is fun to watch as he teaches Ariel to dance as an expression of her true feelings.("One Step Closer") I could not help but think of Rafiki and Zazu from The Lion King as I watched Sebastian and Scuttle respectively. Wright is riveting as the court advisor, and Allen is physically and comically adept as the affectionate bird. Bianchi, without even trying, steals the show as Ursula. This is the very first time I have seen an actor in drag assume the role and it works beautifully, particularly in expressing Ursula's nastiness. There is so much childlike play here and Bianchi handles it with panache. Auntie Ursula's two assistants Flotsam (Nicholas Alexander) and Jetsam (Anthony Vacio) teat across the stage and are deliciously evil. Bob Bell makes an appropriately straight-forward yet friendly Grimsby. Ryan Watson is Flounder. It seems like there should be more for him to say and do, as he carries a special, deeply felt love for Ariel. Watson does his utmost to express his caring within the role as written. Andrew Metzger tears up the scenery in but one scene as Chef Louis, creating gales of audience laughter. The six Mersisters with garishly colored wigs - Emily Chelsea, Yadira Del Rincon, Judy Fernandez, Erin Keturah McIntyre, Helen Tait and Samantha Wass - are in constant flutter and adorable to watch.

Creatively, scenery by Chuck Ketter, costumes provided by Huntsman Entertainment and coordinated by Merrill Grady and Linda Vic, and lighting by Nick Robinson Events are bright and vivid, putting us "Under the Sea". Thanks to Chelsea Morgan Stock for some zippy choreography and to Julie Lamoureux who leads the great orchestrations. Flying segments are expertly carried off, making it seem that Ariel has a fin and no feet.

The Little Mermaid was Disney's first big animated musical hit on screen in 1989, which translated so very well to the Broadway stage years later. It's a fun, charming story that you do not want to miss. And bring the little ones! You have until September 1 to be Part of This World, but judging from the SRO audience the night I attended, I would not delay. So rush - fly or swim, of possible - to get tickets!

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Act One at Candlelight Pavilion is always expertly carried off. The dinner is divine and the service impeccable from a staff of handsome and friendly waiters. The slow roasted tri-tip is a delicious choice, and the desserts to die for. Everything, including the ice cream is hand made in Candlelight's kitchen. Drink specials at only $6 are worth selecting. I had the Mermaid on the Rocks with rum and blue curacao added to a sweet and sour pina colada mix. Scrumptious! There's also Kiss the Girl and Fathoms Below, so try one or all of them!

www.candlelightpavilion.com

Next up Bonnie and Clyde commencing September 14. Can't wait!

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