Globe Theatre set for the magic of The Little Mermaid
Family-friendly production based on Disney film poised to be big success
If advance ticket sales are any indication, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is going to be a big hit for Globe Theatre.
The musical, which opens May 25, has already been extended three times — the production will now run through July 2.
So does director Stephanie Graham feel any added pressure given the increased expectations of the ticket-buying public?
“No, I actually feel excited that more people in Regina will get the chance to see it,” said Graham.
The production is based on the 1989 Disney film and the fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837. The musical, written by Doug Wright with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, was also presented on Broadway, running from Jan. 10, 2008 until Aug. 30, 2009. During that run it had 685 performances.
The family friendly production focuses on Ariel, a mermaid princess who is fascinated by the lives of people living on dry land. Her ultimate wish is to join them but King Triton, her father, forbids her from having any contact with the humans. After falling in love from a distance with Prince Eric, Ariel is temporarily transformed into a human but there’s a catch — to remain a human, she must get a kiss of true love from Prince Eric within three days.
Given the popularity of the movie, Graham will be challenged to put a fresh take on the musical but she’s confident the cast and crew will be up to the task.
“The Globe special is so special and so different that you always have to rethink no matter what,” said Graham. “When you’re at the Globe, you can’t do what’s been done before. I find that so freeing as an artist. All the lovely stuff that everybody knows about the movie and will remember will be there but of course there will be new stuff as well. There’s new songs. We have to be creative so it’s fun.”
Graham is coming off serving as the director of Key Change, the previous Globe Theatre mainstage production. She had two weeks off before rehearsals for The Little Mermaid began on May 2.
While the two productions are both musicals, that’s where their similarities end. Key Change had a small cast of three actors while The Little Mermaid has 18 actors. Also, Key Change had a mature theme while The Little Mermaid is directed at families.
It’s been a drastic changeover for Graham.
“Everything’s different, it’s totally different but I love it,” said Graham. “It’s like (comparing) apples and oranges, you know? Logistically and as far as all the prep work you have to do, stage management, there’s way more costumes, so it requires way more work from everybody in the building, just coordinating that many people. But again, it’s kind of fun because we’ve got new performers to the Globe who’ve never been here before and they’re all just loving it.
“The cast is from across Canada. The Vancouver and Edmonton contingent are meeting people the East Coast and it’s really cool.”
Joining Graham, who is also serving as the choreographer for the show, on the artistic team are: Noah MacDougall (musical director), Alex Hartshorn (assistant director), Sean Mulcahy (set designer), Brandon Kleiman (costume rental coordinator), Renee Brode (lighting designer), Jeremy Sauer (sound designer), Ryland Alexander (fight director), Anne Taylor (stage manager), Kenilee Kehler (assistant stage manager), and Alana Freistadt (assistant stage manager).
The production will also include two special presentations. On June 21, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, the Globe will provide an American Sign Language interpreted performance.
And on June 24, the Globe will host its first Relaxed and Audio-Described performance for individuals with autism, other sensory/communication disorders or families with small children who may not be used to a traditional performance environment. Tickets for this production will be available only through the Globe Theatre box office, 306525-6400.