Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID to Swim Into Kelsey Theatre This Spring

An underwater spectacular is coming to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre. The Yardley Players present Disney's "The Little Mermaid" Fridays, May 26 and June 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, May 27 and June 3 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays, May 28 and June 4 at 2 p.m.

Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on May 26.

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, this fishy fairytale features beloved characters including the spirited mermaid Ariel, Prince Eric, Flounder the Fish, Scuttle the Seagull, Sebastian the Crab, and the Evil Sea Witch, Ursula, of course! Ariel makes a scary bargain with the Sea Witch that allows her to visit the land above the sea, but a showdown looms ahead. The show boasts music by Academy Award winner Alan Menken featuring such family favorites as "Under the Sea," Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World."

Starring in "The Little Mermaid" are Rachael Shadle of Hatfield, Pa., as Ariel; Tristan Takacs of Hamilton as Prince Eric; Gabrielle Affleck of Philadelphia, Pa., as Ursula, the Evil Sea Witch; James LeGette of Levittown, Pa., as Sebastian; Nicholas Kianka of Hamilton as Grimsby; Liz Wurtz of Levittown, Pa., as Scuttle; Dylan Katz of West Windsor as Flounder; Pat Parton of Hamilton as King Triton; Fady Zaher of Hamilton as Chef Louis; Vincent Martinez of Toms River as Flotsam; Tylir Brown of Hamilton as Jetsam; and Dan Mucha of Yardville in the dual roles of Pilot and Chef.

Featured as the princess sisters are Stephanie Borcsik of Hamilton, Kristin Kraus of Levittown, Pa., Marina McLaughlin of Columbus, Heather Parton of Hamilton, Rachel Siegel of Robbinsville, and Erin Wurtz of Levittown, Pa.

The ensemble includes Robbie Angarone of Hamilton, Grace Axelson of Princeton, Emma Behrens of East Windsor, Nicholas Benedetti and Zachary Benedetti of Ewing, Hayden Clark of Lawrenceville, Shealyn Davis of Newtown, Pa., Ashley Gafgen and Shannon Gafgen of Newfield, Sydney Gilmore of Yardley, Pa., Makenna Katz of West Windsor, Leslie Kraus of Levittown, Pa., Jillian Lee of Hamilton Square, Connor McDowell of Levittown, Pa., Daniel Montero of Ewing, Peyton Nolan of Yardville, Marysa Pratico of Hamilton, Jeffrey Rosenthal of Dayton, Shreya Savur and Abby Scatena of Robbinsville, Danielle Slaboda of Hamilton, Troy Vallery of Yardville, and Kaitlyn Young of Robbinsville.

The production team includes Producer Kristy Davis, Director Marge Swider, Music Director Pat Masterson, Choreographer Laura Murey Ghaffoor and Stage Manager Jill Katz. The set design is by James Kenna; lighting design is by M. Kitty Getlik; and costumes are by Louisa Murey.

Tickets for Disney's "The Little Mermaid" are $20 for all and are available at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.

Pictured: There's trouble under the sea! From left, are Pat Parton as Triton, Gabrielle Affleck as Ursula, and Rachael Shadle as Ariel. The Yardley Players present Disney's "The Little Mermaid" at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre May 26 to June 4. Photo by John Maurer.