BY MARILYN JOZWIK
In the middle of a warm summer, it was cool and refreshing to experience Sunset Playhouse’s “The Little Mermaid.”
Including the many popular Disney tunes, Sunset’s production is awash in color with fabulous vocals, outstanding performances and non-stop aquatic and terrestrial action. Couldn’t be a better choice for a matinee or evening of top-notch entertainment.
The appreciative audience rewarded cast and crew with thunderous applause on several occasions for the sights and sounds they so enjoyed.
The delightful story centers around the headstrong Ariel (Riley Luettgen), a mermaid who is enchanted by humans and the world above the sea, which infuriates her father, King Triton (Jeff Adam). Triton, ruler of the seas, has his reasons for mistrusting humans. When Prince Eric (Jacob Cesar) is washed overboard in a storm, Ariel saves him and both are immediately smitten. Her love for a human is most distressing to Triton and he tasks Sebastian (Aundre L. Reid) to keep tabs on her wanderlust. Complicating life for Ariel are her six jealous Mersisters and evil aunt, Ursula (Kathryn Perry).
King Triton (Jeff Adam) is surrounded by his daughters, from left, Allana (Elisabeth Adam), Aquata (Cora Kay Trexell), Adella (Gabrielle Adam), Arista (Katelyn Farebrother), Atina (Amanda M Mahlum) and Andrina (Dana Marklund). Sebastian (Andre L. Reid), right, and a King’s Court member (Elijah Luna), top, observe the scene.
I don’t even know where to begin on what I loved about this show. Just when I thought one scene had to be the highlight, another one would come along – one highlight after another.
Everything is working for director/choreographer Karl Miller and music director Mark Mrozek, who handled keyboards as well as five other musicians. Add to that the gorgeous costumes (Lisa Quinn), including beautiful, floaty mermaids, wide-winged gulls, sinister eels, royalty above and below the sea and a variety of other sea life and land life.
So many scenes are a kaleidoscope of color, enhanced by screen projections, with perfect sound and lighting (Scott Varga and Marty Wallner). All the components are in place for performers to showcase their immense talents.
Luettgen sets the mood with her portrayal of Ariel. She is light and dreamy in her tunes of longing – “The World Above” and “Part of Your World” – and spunky in her interactions with her protective, unyielding father.
Kathryn Perry plays Ursula in Sunset Playhouse’s “The Little Mermaid.”
Reed Wilbanks is charming with pleasing vocals and nifty dance moves as Ariel’s hopelessly in love buddy, Flounder. Another one of Ariel’s cohorts is Scuttle, the clumsy gull, played with marvelous physicality by Bryce Giammo who rolls and flaps and squawks his way into the hearts of audience members.
But these were just the appetizers to some of the entrees to come, starting with Perry, who embodies the malicious Ursula with her growling, posturing and strutting as she details her wicked ways in “Daddy’s Little Angel.” Perry’s booming voice captures all of Ursula’s nastiness as she revels in one of Disney’s most well-known antagonists.
Nick Sweet and Mitchell Blohm as Ursula’s menacing eel companions, Flotsam and Jetsam, contribute fine vocals, harmonizing nicely as they glide their slinky characters around the stage.
The cast of Sunset Playhouse’s “The Little Mermaid.”
Perhaps the best-known tune and scene from the show is “Under the Sea,” featuring the Jamaican crab Sebastian, a servant of King Triton. As Sebastian, Reid showcases his incredible range and rich tones as well as nimbleness. In the romantic “Kiss the Girl,” Reid’s voice turns sweet and silky as the gentle calypso music encourages the kiss to unlock Ariel’s caged voice.
I loved Cesar in “One Step Closer,” in which his Prince character and Ariel communicate through dance when Ariel has lost her voice. He and Luettgen’s mute Ariel connect beautifully, the lyrics seeming to propel his steps. Plus, the tune is in his vocal wheelhouse, allowing him to breeze effortlessly through both song and dance.
Led by dance captain Cora Kay Trexell, the Mersisters (Dana Marklund, Katelyn Farebrother, Amanda M. Mahlum, Gabrielle Adam and Elisabeth Adam) are a sight for the eyes – with their colorful gauzy costumes and sharp, effortless choreography – and for the ears with several opportunities to showcase soaring soprano voices and lovely harmonies.
Morgan Gates’ Chef Louis contributes a hilarious, madcap Les Poissons as he cavorts with the frolicking chefs and crab puppet that transforms almost magically into Reid’s Sebastian.
From stem to stern, Sunset’s “The Little Mermaid” is simply oceans of fun, music and dance..
If you go:
Who: Sunset Playhouse
What: Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”
When: Through Aug. 6
Where: 700 Wall St., Elm Grove
Info: 262-782-4430; SunsetPlayhouse.com