Take Another Dive ‘Under the Sea’ With Hurricane Theatrical
– By Aleina Lister –
Little Mermaid – July 29th and closes September 3rd
Fresh from their unconventional yet nostalgically and musically rewarding Southern Utah premiere of “The SpongeBob Musical”, director Kyle Myrick brings audiences “Under the Sea” once more with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”.
Curious about the reason for his oceanic theme of the 2022 season, Myrick explains how Hurricane Theatrical intended to bring the ocean to Southern Utah through these high-energy and family-friendly shows to encourage community involvement, especially in children. Children’s involvement in the arts can also be encouraged in Broadway or Bust, Hurricane Theatrical’s summer program. In addition, “The Little Mermaid” extends a typical Hurricane Theatrical run by a week to accommodate a show as big and popular as this. Aided by choreographer Sarah Rammaker and music director Nicole Kimzey, Kyle Myrick has created a show that can be summed up in one word: MAGICAL.
Following the story that is well known to those who grew up with the Disney movie, “The Little Mermaid” is a tale in which love, in all senses of the word, conquers all. Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton (Bart Pace), and is played by the incredibly talented Samantha Myrick (who also acts as the show’s costumer), is enchanted by “The World Above” and quickly falls in love with Prince Eric (Jayden Wright), who she saves from drowning in a storm. But with her father’s hatred of humans, Ariel is forced to go to her aunt Ursula (alternatively played by Karley Garrett and Grace Wells). Ursula, with the help of her morally askew moray eels, Flotsam and Jetsam (Ashley Stackhouse and Makayla Klumpp), gives Ariel human legs in exchange for her angelic voice. Without her voice, Ariel is caught in the troubles of the sea and the land. Chief amongst these troubles is the looming possibility that Ariel will be enslaved by Ursula, and the fact that Eric is searching for the woman who saved him from the storm, and he can only remember “Her Voice”. It is through the help of her friends, Flounder the fish (Isa Johnson), Scuttle the seagull (Austin Jackson), and Sebastian the crab (James David), that this sea tale finds its happy conclusion rather than the tragic original ending by creator, Hans Christian Anderson.
Make this show “Part of Your World” this summer and set sail to Hurricane Fine Arts Center. This enchanting show opens July 29th and closes September 3rd, with shows on Monday, Friday, and Saturdays, which also include Saturday Matinees. For more information, go to www.hurricanetheatrical.com, or call 435-668-9753.
