Connecticut & The Berkshires - "The Little Mermaid"

Regional Reviews: Connecticut and the Berkshires

The Little Mermaid
Summer Theatre of New Canaan
Review by Zander Opper

Also see Fred's reviews of Not About Nightingales and Madame Mozart, the Lacrimosa

Laura Renee Mehl
Photo by Dutch Doscher

Summer Theatre of New Canaan is currently presenting a gorgeous production of The Little Mermaid. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a book by Doug Wright, this is a show that should please both children and adults alike. Director Arbender J. Robinson has done a wonderful job staging this musical, with a terrific cast and design team. Robinson has created a world onstage where one really can really feel they are (to quote one of the most ebullient songs) "Under the Sea."

This production is blessed with a perfect Ariel in the charming, strong-voiced Laura Renee Mehl, and Keisha T. Fraser is a larger than life, scene-stealing Ursula. Aidan Cole is a handsome, charismatic Prince Eric and it is easy to see why Ariel falls in love with him on sight. The combination of beautiful costumes, excellent choreography, and a Broadway-level team of actors makes this the ideal summer show to see.

The musical is just right for youngsters, but there is so much skill in the production that it should rivet just about anyone. From the opening song, "The World Above," the story of Ariel, a mermaid who falls in love with a human, is deftly presented and one cheers her on throughout the show. There are colorful characters and all the actors in the cast bring their individual personalities to their roles.

Laura Renee Mehl does a spectacular job of putting over her first big song, "Part of Your World," and she only gets better as things go along. As Sebastian, Jason Williams is a good deal of fun and scores strongly with the glorious, full-company number "Under the Sea," as well as the melodic "Kiss the Girl" in the second half of the show. Carlos V. Escamilla is an adorable Flounder and Mike Katz is great as the bird Scuttle. There is quite a bit of joyous, skillful flying and Katz is often seen aloft. He also proves to be a fabulous tap dancer in the big production number, "Positoovity," as he is backed up by a group of hoofers who tap so well that they would do justice to a production of 42nd Street.

Joseph Torello is a convincing and sympathetic Triton, especially good in his confrontation with his sister Ursula. Keisha T. Fraser, wearing an elaborate, beautiful costume (courtesy of Lauren Nicole Sherwood), chews the undersea scenery gloriously and her performance of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" is outstanding. Working for Ursula are Flotsam and Jetsam, portrayed sinuously by Gray Mortier and Logan Mortier, respectively, who bring more than a bit of Bob Fosse-like magic to the show.

Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd and Doug Shankman provide the varied, distinguished choreography, which ranges from tap to a waltz to the bouncy number "Les Poissons" (featuring the fine Christopher Isolano as Chef Louis). The production design is luxurious and stunning, with wonderful work by lighting designer Kevin Gleason and projection designers Grace Griffin and Alexa Lunney (the scenic design is also quite laudatory, though there is no credit in the program for the sets). The orchestra, led by expert music director Alex Parrish, presents Alan Menken's music majestically, with so many numbers bringing down the house.

The Little Mermaid at Summer Theatre of New Canaan is a treasure of a show and most highly recommended.

The Little Mermaid runs through July 27, 2025, at Summer Theatre of New Canaan, 11 Farm Rd, New Canaan CT. For tickets and information, please visit www.stonc.org.