The new Midway Theater has produced another family crowd pleaser in THE LITTLE MERMAID. The huge cast (51) sported flashy, fishy costumes (Diane Schlebo, Cathy Orr and and a large crew) dressing up a simple and versatile two-level set (Jeff Boerger) that easily morphed into many wet and dry locales.
The big dance numbers were a lot of fun. I especially loved the tap-dancing seagulls. (choreographer Elizabeth Schubkegel) Kudos to director Elizabeth Stuart for wrangling so many performers!
All the leads were very good: The lovely Christine (Landers) Hall as Ariel (well remembered as Sandy in Riverwalk’s Grease) the dashing Case DeKoning as Prince Eric — and the entertaining fussbudget Matthew Apostle as Sebastian the Crab.
Allison Tousley was a vision of awfulness as the Evil Ursula, enhanced by her tentacles dramatically portrayed by four black-clad actors. James Geer was Ariel’s powerful but frustrated father, King Triton, eventually coming to terms with his daughter’s rebellion.
Chase Buher was an overwhelming dynamo of sadistic seafood prep as the trés French Chef Louis. Rebecca Duffy was the funny, flighty Scuttle the seagull, spewing her creative malapropisms, and young Seth Chester was a cute Flounder.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid runs ONLY ONE WEEKEND at Hannah Community Center, 7pm Friday and Saturday with a matinee also Saturday at 2 - but that is already sold out. Tickets at midwaytheatercompany.org