Delaney Benson as Ariel in Area Stage Company's "The Little Mermaid" in South Miami through Aug. 4. (Photo by David Caserta)
What is Area Stage Company (ASC) doing for an encore following last year’s Carbonell-nominated, immersive production of Disney’s beloved musical, “The Little Mermaid?”
Almost one year later, the company, together with South Florida’s Loxen Productions, is presenting a tighter, shorter, but no less enchanting, moving, and gripping immersive production. It opened recently and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4. (Editor's Note: Area Stage Company has extended the run through Sunday, Aug. 11) So, if you missed last year’s sold-out run, you have another chance to become part of the beloved characters’ world.
Truly, this mounting offers a wonderful opportunity to introduce little ones to the magic and joy of live theater. Indeed, unlike last year’s two-and-a-half-hour version, this one lasts 90-minutes with no intermission. But unless someone pointed out to you what was cut, you would never know anything is missing. That’s because the key moments, characters, and songs are present in the latest production. And while it’s not perfect, it is a tuneful, touching, thrilling, and transformative experience. In addition, this version, like last year’s, is faithful to the Disney animated 1989 film of the same title without being a carbon copy of the movie.
Delaney Benson plays the role of "The Little Mermaid." Delaney is the daughter of Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in Disney's 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by David Careta)
Just as 35 years have passed since the animated film debuted, ASC is marking its 35th anniversary. So, it’s celebration time for “The Little Mermaid” and ASC a perfect moment for the nonprofit company that opened in 1989 on Lincoln Road to remount last year’s winning production of “The Little Mermaid.”
Chances are, you are familiar with the classic story. But if you’re not, the tale takes place above the sea and underwater.
Ariel, the titular character, is a spirited, curious teenage mermaid and the youngest daughter of the undersea ruler King Triton. The titular mermaid’s mission in life is to explore the human world above, which she finds endlessly fascinating. However, her father does not approve of Ariel becoming a part of life above sea. He has a disdain for humans, possibly because he thinks that one or more of them killed his wife. But the independent Ariel still explores the world above. There, she encounters the dashing Prince Eric, whose life she saves after a storm washes him overboard.
While Ariel and Eric may seem the perfect pair to marry, obstacles stand in their way. For one, neither Ariel nor Eric could survive in the other’s world. Therefore, the determined Ariel seeks to become human. The evil sea witch Ursula offers to transform Ariel into a human for three days. But while Ursula changes Ariel’s tail into legs, the witch takes away the teen’s beautiful voice, keeping it in a magical nautilus shell and leaving Ariel mute. And unless Ariel can nonverbally get Prince Eric to sincerely kiss her within three days, she will return to her underwater world and remain Ursula’s slave for the rest of her life.
Delaney Benson plays the role of "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by David Careta)
You may recognize the story from the 1989 Disney animated film, which carries the same title. The basis for the film is Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 dark fairy tale, also titled “The Little Mermaid.”
Set designer Frank J. Oliva is one of several artists who have returned for this year’s encore version. Oliva captured a Carbonell Award for transforming the Arsht Center’s Carnival Studio Theatre into a seemingly authentic seaside tavern in 2023. This time, Oliva has turned a vacant warehouse space in South Miami into a dark, mystical seaside tavern where the action plays out.
Unlike last year’s transformed Arsht Center space, the setting this time seems equally authentic but sparser. However, while some scenic elements from last year may be missing, that gives the audience the opportunity to concentrate more on the action and characters.
The location for this year’s transformed space is within the Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami. Let ASC company members direct you to the location. Chances are, you will see somebody from ASC if you proceed before the show to Suite 286 within the mall. That is ASC’s headquarters.
Henry Thrasher reprises his role as Prince Eric in the Area Stage Production of "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by David Caserta)
A nautical theme is apparent as soon as you approach the transformed space. Specifically, seashells rest on nearby tables and a boat is situated outside of the “tavern.” You may feel as though you’re walking through an underground cave as you approach the playing space. The entrance and path is dark except for mini candle lights, which adorn the walls. Inside, audience members sit at tables, which also serve as stages used as playing spaces when the performers stand on top of them for specific scenes.
Before the actual performance begins, you will likely notice performers milling about. They are wearing black striped shirts and carrying instruments such as accordions, guitars, and violins, which they play during the show. In addition, the live orchestra, which offers rich accompaniment, includes Michael Day on piano, Liubov Ohrimenco on violin, and Tom McCormick on winds.
Don’t look for a traditional stage. That is because the entire space serves as the playing space. Actors may sit next to you or stand directly in front of you or behind you in certain scenes. Be careful; you don’t want to accidentally trip a performer.
The proximity to the performers makes this production a particularly intimate, visceral experience. But it’s not immersive for everyone at the same time. Sure, for some scenes, you and others can reach out and touch the performers (which is not advised). But for other audience members seated farther away, that same scene may feel distant in this large space. Also, unless the performers are near you, you may have to look around to pinpoint from where actors are speaking or singing. While you are looking around, you may miss some of the action. On the plus side, you remain attentive and the element of surprise exists.
One issue with this production is that performers’ backs face us more than once and actors sometimes block each other. Therefore, at these times, we cannot see their facial expressions or hear them as well.
Overall, though, the strengths of this co-production outweigh its weaknesses.
While a number of artists from last year’s production have returned for this year’s version, the performer portraying the titular mermaid is new. Still, you may have heard of her. That is because Delaney Benson is the daughter of Jodi Benson, who provided the voice of Ariel for the 1989 animated Disney film.
Delaney Benson as Ariel and Amanda Harris as the fish Flounder" in "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by David Caserta)
Benson, a radiant red-haired performer with wide, shining bluish eyes and deft vocal control, sparkles as Ariel. Her clear, sweet, and strong singing voice soars across the space while singing classic numbers such as “Part of Your World.” In it, Ariel expresses her longing to explore the world above. A zest for life, dreamy yearning and enthusiasm emanate from Benson’s voice during the song. Benson also lends Ariel wide-eyed wonder and curiosity, while also nailing traits such as determination, assertiveness, and independence.
Of course, a performer portraying Ariel must be able to convey emotions and feelings nonverbally as well as verbally. To her credit, Benson succeeds at communicating through vivid facial expressions and gestures. And the performer shares a magnetic chemistry with Henry Thrasher, who reprises his role as Prince Eric.
Speaking of Thrasher, the light, curly-haired performer once again has created a charming, dashing, and sensitive royal young man. Eric may be a prince, but Thrasher doesn’t even betray a hint of arrogance. Thrasher’s benevolent Prince Eric stands in stark contrast to characters such as the evil witch Ursula.
Jonathan Chisolm returns from last year to once again lend villainess Ursula a sly demeanor, bringing to mind a sneaky snake. Rather than show off or beg for laughs, Chisolm portrays Ursula sincerely, allowing the comedy and menace to spring naturally from the sea character.
The performer, sporting a shock of tall white hair, an appropriately dark outfit, and long, dark fingers, commands the stage while remaining natural in the role. Certainly, Chisolm’s evil laugh is an apt choice for the character. And a gleeful wickedness accompanies their rendition of “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
Other cast standouts include Imran Hylton. He lends the meticulous, loyal crab Sebastian a seemingly endless supply of charisma and believable nervous energy. Infectious enthusiasm escapes Hylton’s clear and strong voice as his character sings “Under the Sea.” It’s a number that literally sings the underwater world’s praises, in contrast to “Part of Your World.” That song marvels at the above-ground, human world’s wonders.
Also onstage, Amanda Harris endows spirited little Flounder with convincing spunk, especially during the number “She’s in Love.” And John Mazuelos commands the stage as a stern King Triton, but also proves adept at playing a tender, concerned father.
Imran Hylton as Sebastian and Tico Chiriboga as Flotsam. (Photo by David Caserta)
In addition to Mazuelos, a large puppet (picture the titular character in “The Wizard of Oz”) appears in the production as the ruler. We clearly see that Mazuelos is doing all the talking as the character, but the impressive-looking puppet lends the proceedings an enhanced theatricality. Laura Plyler also deftly operates a puppet as the humorous Scuttle.
Under the direction of visionary ASC Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz, the production proceeds at just the right pace. In addition, to his credit, Rodaz gives time and space for truly touching moments to move us. Also, Rodaz directs with variety in mind. Specifically, the actors are often in motion, and change their position. Sometimes they stand on the floor, while at other times they stand atop tables.
Lighting designer Joe Naftal’s work, together with sound designer Abraham Oleksnianski’s vivid sounds, help create the illusion of being underwater. And during a storm, moving, blinking lights, combined with the sound of thunder, create the perfect effect. In the lighting department, Naftal also uses strobing effects and hues wisely. For instance, Naftal bathes the playing space with green lighting during scenes featuring the villainess, Ursula.
Also, behind the scenes, costume designers Maria Banda-Rodaz and Sofia Ortega differentiate the virtuous characters from the evil ones. Mostly, the bad guys and gals wear dark, while the virtuous ones sport lighter colors.
Movement choreographers Lauren Gaspard and Luciano Cortes have helped the cast make it look like they are moving in water. The actors’ movements, the lighting, sound effects, and a few props create the illusion of being underwater.
Following the reviewed performance, Rodaz noted that it took about two months for about eight people to transform the empty warehouse space into a seaside tavern. Obviously, hard work has gone into creating this entire immersive production.
We have seen Rodaz’s previous triumphant immersive productions of “Annie,” “Oliver!,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Frankly, it’s hard to wait to learn what this young and creative theater artist will do next.
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Katie Duerr, left, and Laura Plyer as Scuttle in "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by David Caserta)
If You Go:
- What: Area Stage Company’s immersive production of “The Little Mermaid.”
- When: Through Aug. 11. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
- Where: The Shops at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Drive in South Miami.
- Tickets: Prices range from $75 to $100.
- For more information, go to www.areastage.org.
