Ariel (Josslyn Shaw) falls for Prince Eric (Henry Thrasher) in Area Stage Company's immersive production of "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz)
Rest assured, you are part of the characters’ world in Area Stage Company’s immersive, energetic, and believable live professional production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”
It runs through Aug. 27 in the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts’ Carnival Studio Theater in Miami. The production features a mixture of local talent and New York-based performers.
In 27-year-old visionary director Giancarlo Rodaz’s imaginative take, which unfolds just swimmingly, merely stepping into the theater may cause your jaw to drop. “Where’s the stage?” you might ask. Of course, the entire room is the stage. More specifically, Rodaz and set designer Frank J. Oliva have transformed the Carnival Studio Theater into a seaport tavern filled with impressive detail. The space includes a watch tower, staircases, and a crow’s nest. There’s no water, you say? No worries; In Rodaz’s detail-oriented production, the actors’ movements and a few props create the illusion of being underwater. It is make-believe at its best.
Wherever you sit, you will want to pay close attention; you never know from where an actor will emerge. Indeed, the performer may stand on the table at which you are seated or sit next to you and start speaking or singing.
If you have witnessed Rodaz’s past immersive productions, you may not be as surprised when you step into the theater to experience this immersive “Mermaid.” However, chances are you will be just as impressed as other Rodaz-helmed mountings of “Annie” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Indeed, in his vision, audiences are more participants than passive spectators.
LEFT: Aaron Hagosas Sebastian in "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz). RIGHT: Katie Duerr and Annette Rodriguez (hidden) operate the seagull puppet Scuttle. (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz).
Although this is a non-traditional production, the story that you know and love remains the same. In fact, for this production, Rodaz reached out to Disney’s head of theatrical licensing. He did so because he sought permission to stage the version of the script that ran on Broadway from 2007 to 2009. The licensing head said yes, making Area Stage the first company to obtain the rights to that version.
Rodaz, recently taking over the role of artistic director of the company, has said that he sought to stage the Broadway version because it is more faithful to the original 1989 Disney animated film version of “The Little Mermaid” than a revised stage version produced by regional theater companies. The animated film’s basis is Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 dark fairy tale, also titled “The Little Mermaid.”
Chances are you are familiar with the story. But if you’re not, the tale takes place above the sea and underwater. Ariel is a spirited, curious teenage mermaid and the youngest daughter of the undersea ruler King Triton. The teen mermaid’s mission in life is to explore the human world above, even though her father disapproves of such an action. In the world above, Ariel encounters the dashing Prince Eric. In fact, she saves his life after a storm washes him overboard.
While Ariel and Eric may seem a perfect pair to marry, obstacles stand in their way. For one, Triton hates humans. Also, neither Ariel nor Eric could survive in the other’s world. And, so, 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 get Prince Eric to kiss her within three days, she will return to her underwater world and remain Ursula’s slave for the rest of her life.
The production begins once you step into the theater. Fog drifts across the room while soft, live music and conversations fill the space. At this time, the performers are already in character even though the actual storytelling has yet to begin. You may see and hear one of the cast members playing a flute, while another plays an accordion. Cast members also hand out the map-shaped programs.
A boat holding lighting equipment hangs upside down from the ceiling. Look around, and you will see ropes in different places and lit candles perched on posts. The tavern is circular-shaped, creating a sense of community and a party-like atmosphere complete with glitter, bubbles, and more.
“Excuse me lad,” one of the performers may tell you as he or she tries to pass you.
LEFT: Ariel (Josslyn Shaw) and Prince Eric (Henry Thrasher) share a moment together as Sebastian (Aaron Hagos) urges him to "Kiss the Girl." (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz). RIGHT: Ursula (Jonathan Chisolm) is, not surprisingly, up to no good (Photo by Ariany Cespedes).
Then, suddenly, a bell clangs. Before long, a cast member addresses the audience.
“Welcome sailors, how are we feeling tonight?”
During the reviewed performance, the audience responded enthusiastically. But understand that cast members will “throw the gadgets in the ocean and feed them to the sharks,” if you do not turn off your cell phone before the actual storytelling begins.
Remember, the entire room is the stage, so the action could begin anywhere. On the one hand, that is a good thing because it keeps you attentive and the element of surprise exists. However, if you cannot immediately determine from where a performer is speaking or singing, you may miss a line or two in your effort to pinpoint that location. The good news is that under Rodaz’s careful direction, it is never hard to follow the story.
Certainly, it is easy to hear the voice of King Triton, as Frank Montoto, wielding a large cane-like object, commandingly plays him. While Montoto’s royal man can be stern, we never sense that he is mean or a ruthless tyrant. Rather, Montoto makes King Triton a devoted, tender father concerned about his children. Montoto also shines as Louis, an over-the-top Chef who suggests the Muppets’ Swedish Chef.
Meanwhile, Josslyn Shaw, sporting long reddish hair, lends Ariel a dreamy quality and imbues her with wide-eyed wonder and curiosity. Shaw’s Ariel is also assertive, determined, independent, and emotional, when necessary, but always likable. You root for this character as Shaw plays her with a zest for life. Shaw wraps her soaring soprano voice around the lyrics to such well-known songs as “Part of Your World.” During the number, Ariel sings about her desire to immerse herself in the human world above the water. As she clearly and expressively sings the number, Shaw’s timing and emphasis are spot on.
In addition to speaking, singing, and moving as though she were underwater, a performer portraying Ariel must also be able to convey believable emotions non-verbally, after the character loses her voice to the witch. Shaw succeeds admirably in all facets.
Opposite Shaw, Henry Thrasher injects Prince Eric with a gentlemanly disposition, suggesting a brave, dashing, elegant knight in shining armor. Speaking and singing in a deep, rich voice, Thrasher’s benevolent Prince Eric stands in stark contrast to characters such as the evil Witch Ursula.
Speaking of the villain, Jonathan Chisolm lends the character a devious demeanor. Rather than show off or beg for laughs, Chisolm makes Ursula’s traits seem organic to her. The performer, sporting an oddly-shaped shock of white hair and an appropriately dark outfit, commands the stage while remaining natural in the role and demonstrating deft comic timing. In addition, Chisholm’s evil laugh is an apt choice for the character.
Other cast standouts include Aaron Hagos, who radiates nervous energy and dependability as the meticulous, loyal crab, Sebastian. The actor, whose Jamaican accent could be more believable, nevertheless shines in singing numbers such as “Under the Sea.” That song literally sings the underwater world’s praises in contrast to “Part of Your World,” which marvels at the above-ground, human world’s wonders.
King Triton (Frank Montoto) commands the stage.
As a spunk-filled Flounder, Hallie Walker makes the most of her time in the limelight while energetically singing the number “She’s in Love.”
In addition, Annette Rodriguez brings humor to the funny and off-beat seagull, Scuttle. Actually, Rodriguez skillfully maneuvers a puppet, which New York’s Phantom Limb Company specifically created for this show.
Behind the scenes, Joe Naftal’s lighting design bathes scenes in hues such as blue, purple, and green, creating just the right atmosphere.
Costume designers Maria Banda-Rodaz and Sofia Ortega have opted to not include mermaid tales, and that is just fine. Oftentimes, less is more. As they are, the costumes reveal character and allow the performers to move easily while wearing them. Appropriately, evil characters such as the witch sport darker attire than pure characters such as Ariel.
Sound designer Eric Green ensures that we can understand the actors. Also, he has created realistic sounding effects.
Movement directors Luciano Cortés and Lauren Gaspard also contribute significantly to the production. Specifically, they have helped the actors to move in such a way that it looks as though they are wading in water or that currents are moving them.
Live musicians ably accompany performers while they sing, under music directors Michael Day and Rick Kaydas.
All in all, this is a Carbonell Award-deserving production that brings “The Little Mermaid” to vibrant life in a unique manner. There are no bad seats in the house; wherever Area Stage Company seats you, you are as much a part of this world as Ariel and Prince Eric.
No doubt, Giancarlo Rodaz’s enthusiasm for immersive theater is contagious. Next up for Area Stage Company, we hear, is an immersive musical production of “The Addams Family.”
Area Stage Company’s production of “The Little Mermaid” continues through Sunday, Aug. 27. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday- Sunday, as well as 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $110 for VIP seating, $83.50 for general admission, $52 for students (must show student ID), and $31 for lap seating (day of show only at box office). For more information, call (305) 949-6722 or go to www.arshtcenter.org.
