Ariel (Melanie Fernandez) and Flounder (Kyle Kemph) interact during a scene from Slow Burn Theatre's production of "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by Larry Marano)
Whether it’s triple-threat performers demonstrating impressive vocal range, control, and power, holding high notes for an impressively long time, dancing energetically and seemingly effortlessly, or disappearing into their characters with deft comic timing, the cast of Slow Burn Theatre Company's latest production, "The Little Mermaid," never fails to astound.
The musical runs at the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale through Sunday, Dec. 31. And Slow Burn's Artistic Director Patrick Fitzwater said on opening night that tickets are selling fast, no doubt due to the popularity of Disney's much-loved musical. Slow Burn’s mountings of its musicals are consistently big, beautiful, believable, and bewitching.
Under Music Director Wilkie Ferguson, the large cast of performers sing Alen Menken (composer), Howard Ashman (lyrics), and Glenn Slater’s (lyrics) memorable music with flair. While Slow Burn used a live orchestra for its last production "Into the Woods," they've returned to recorded tracks, which ably accompany the performers. Also, cast members execute Nicolette Quintero’s acrobatic choreography without missing a step, keeping in sync and making it all look easy.
But these performers do not only move while on the ground. In addition, some fly to create the illusion that they are swimming through water. And when they are not flying, they move their arms and other body parts in such a way that it looks as though they are swimming or are at least stationary in water. In addition, during other moments, the performers seemingly skate across the stage. To ensure variety, Fitzwater has found different ways of making the performers appear as though they are moving through water. These are all examples of director Fitzwater’s attention to detail as he carefully and sensitively directed this mammoth production.
(See the digital program of Slow Burn's show here.)
Many may be familiar with “The Little Mermaid” from the hit 1989 Disney animated film. Or, you may have read storyteller Hans Christian Andersen’s darker 1837 fairy tale, also titled (in English) “The Little Mermaid.” Andersen’s tale is the basis for the film, while the animated movie inspired the stage musical.
Ariel (Melanie Fernandez) sings about the above world in Slow Burn's production of "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by Larry Marano)
Melanie Fernandez (Photo by Larry Marano)
The live show’s humorous and touching book, which Doug Wright penned, is mostly faithful to the film. It is a star-crossed tale centering on a reddish-haired mermaid named Ariel (Melanie Fernandez). She is the daughter of the commanding King Triton (Wilkie Ferguson). Then there's the dashing seafaring prince named Eric (Nate Promkul) who has no desire to attain his father’s throne.
Eric and Ariel meet when she saves him after a storm tosses him overboard. True, it is highly unlikely that the two could live together. But Ariel’s scheming sorceress Aunt Ursula (Heather Jane Rolff) convinces Ariel to sign a clause-filled contract. As part of it, Ariel trades her beautiful voice for a set of legs. However, unless she can get Prince Eric to kiss her within three days, Ariel must return under the sea to live out her days as Ursula’s slave. That is the plot not in a nutshell, but perhaps a seashell.
Prince Eric (Nate Promkul) sings his heart out in Slow Burn's production of "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by Larry Marano)
“The Little Mermaid,” like other Disney shows, follows Disney’s classic formula. It works and has likely won over so many to its tantalizing tales. Specifically, an endangered beauty and a prince fall in love. But a villain blocks their true love’s path. Finally, however, good triumphs over evil in time for the lovebirds to tie the knot.
“The Little Mermaid” is a show for all ages. (Note: the running time of this musical is 2 and a half hours with an intermission.)
Surely, the musical’s vast amount of eye candy will win over children (and the young at heart). From dazzling, colorful costumes that are also character appropriate (the costume designer and supervisor is Rick Pena) to eye-popping set pieces, the show features plenty of visual delights. That is partly why, may we suggest that"The Little Mermaid" is a great show to introduce children to live theater.
Meanwhile, the more mature theatergoers in the audience will appreciate themes such as ambition, forgiveness, redemption, family, parent-child relationships, holding grudges, generalizing, as well as loss and mourning (sea creature King Triton has not gotten over his wife’s and Ariel’s mother’s death; she disappeared and human beings may have killed her. Therefore, King Triton has grown to hate all humans).
Musical librettist Wright introduces us to Ariel shortly after the show begins. In particular, we hear her singing “The World Above,” and then shortly after, “Part of Your World.” To her credit, Fernandez, with long reddish-brown hair, sings dreamily and longingly about the world above, one which she itches to join. The performer’s facial expressions and voice carry a dreamy quality and her dark shining eyes impart enthusiasm.
During the second act, when Ariel’s voice is gone, a performer portraying her must be able to non-verbally convey emotions, and Fernandez succeeds. Her vivid facial expressions and gestures sometimes “say” more than spoken words.
Fernandez delivers a multi-faceted performance, one in which she also conveys anger and emotional pain, particularly at her father.
As King Triton, Ferguson commandingly plays him with pride, stubbornness, sternness, and later regret and vulnerability. Specifically, the King comes to regret how harshly he acted toward his daughter, forbidding her to join the human world against his wishes. He comes to appreciate the power of true love, the one that exists between Ariel and Eric. Together, Fernandez and Promkul share strong chemistry as Ariel and Eric, respectively. We believe they were meant for each other.
For his part, Promkul radiates joy as the prince, and imbues him with an adventurous spirit. Toward Ariel, Promkul’s Prince Eric is graceful and knight-like. You sense you are watching a brave gentleman who wouldn’t hesitate to rescue his lady if she were in danger.
Promkul’s gracious and kindly Prince Eric stands in stark contrast to Rolff’s devious, scheming and devilishly determined and mocking Ursula.
With white hair standing atop her head, she looks out through wide dark eyes, and sports black eyeliner and makeup. Rolff, wearing a black, shimmering costume, looks every bit the villain. She emits an evil laugh and speaks sharply. Rolff’s Ursula is also self-loving. As Ursula, the performer is more of a humorous villain than one who is truly threatening.
Nolan Montogomery and Matthew J. Brightbill are also effective as Ursula’s evil helpers.
Flounder (Kyle Kemph), Ariel (Melanie Fernandez) and Scuttle (Rodney Holmes) appear in a scene from Slow Burn's production of "The Little Mermaid." (Photo by Larry Marano)
Other cast standouts include Kyle Kemph as a spunk-filled and fun-loving Flounder. This fish is Ariel’s devoted best friend who is loyal to the end. Kemph sings “She’s in Love” with confidence and energy but doesn’t quite belt out the number. Even so, Kemph conveys the song’s message. So, too, do his castmates who also accompany him on this show-stopping number.
While his Jamaican accent could be more convincing as Sebastian, Jesse Smith nails the crab's meticulousness, anxiety, and loyalty as he tries to keep Ariel safe. The character’s solo, “Under the Sea” is always a crowd pleaser, and Smith sings the number enthusiastically. As much as ”The World Above” and “Part of Your World” literally sing the above-world’s praises, “Under the Sea” does the same for the world below.
Meanwhile, Michael Materdomini plays the devoted Grimsby, Prince Eric’s prim and proper valet. The performer gives Grimsby the traits expected of loyalty and honor
Rodney Holmes (Photo by Larry Marano)
“The Little Mermaid” is an often humorous show, although characters get the lion's share of the good humor. This goes for Scuttle (Rodney Holmes) the seagull. Holmes's clownish character is also always endearing. Another comic stand out is Chef Louis played by Ryan Crout, whose brand of eccentricity might remind you of the Muppets’ Swedish Chef.
Even before the show begins, we get a sense of this production’s world. When the audience enters the theater, the curtain is open, revealing two staircases leading to what looks like an observatory area through which one can see underwater that is in motion. Soon, we notice a boat coming at us. Also, a log-like object is tied down with ropes.
This observatory area, which rests upstage, is actually a video projection with water, which creates an extension of the stage, so the entire place looks like a vast body of water.
Lighting hues such as blue and green help to reinforce the setting as one that surrounds water. The lighting designer is Clifford Spulock. He uses a variety of colors, from red to purple to green and blue, to create an otherworldly aura. When coupled with the lighting, plenty of stage fog helps to reinforce a sense of mystery and drama, while bubbles rising from the water’s surface add to the visual delight.
In addition to directing the production, Fitzwater deftly handled the sound and wig design, allowing us to hear and understand the performers. Various sound cues create realism of an undersea world.
One curious part of the production involves a silver curtain, which descends at seemingly random times. On opening night, it was hard to determine the curtain’s purpose.
But this is a mere flaw in a production that sparkles from opening to closing.
Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of “The Little Mermaid” runs through Sunday, Dec. 31. For show times and tickets, go to Slow Burn Theatre Co: Disney's The Little Mermaid Tickets | Event Dates & Schedule | Ticketmaster.com or Home | sbtc (slowburntheatre.org). The address for the Amaturo Theater, which is housed in the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, is 201 S.W. 5th Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale. For more information, call (954) 462-0222.
