The Little Mermaid

I lived mere blocks away from California Music Circus in Sacramento for year, and not once did I visit the venue, an oversight I surely regret.  I was however majorly involved in acting myself at the time…sometimes with three productions at one time. As were my theatre loving friends.  Needless to say, my love of theatre didn’t hit me until I became a theatre manager in San Francisco.  I had seen the tour of ‘Private Live’ with Joan Collins in 1992 and the tour of ‘Fosse’, both in Sacramento..but still, not the big musical as I now know and love.  When I read Music Circus was presenting ‘The Little Mermaid’, I knew I had to go. I saw the original production on Broadway, loved it, and have waited to see this magnificent show again.  Sacramento is the first city in the United States to obtain licensing to bring Ariel and her cohorts back to life.  Under the sea of course, as we’re reminded with a “dance in your seats” number brilliantly put together for this venue.  Music Circus, for those who do not know, is in the round. There lies my original skepticism with the show.  On the New York stage ‘Mermaid’ has extravagant sets, a pirate ship and a lagoon illuminated with vivid colors and life as Sebastian sings and whispers to Prince Eric, “Kiss the Girl”. 

My skepticism was immediately put to rest. The team at Music Circus crafted a worthy and phenomenal production.  Without major sets, the show relies on the talent of the actors, lighting and costumes.  They succeeded in all three areas.  Approximately half of the costumes were borrowed from the original production, a cast of seasoned Broadway vets (one even from the mother show), and a stellar job in the lighting department made for a worthy rival of the original production.  Eric Kunze is, as any prince should be, dashing as Prince Eric, Merwin Foard gives a noteworthy performance as King Triton, Jessica Grové captures all the charm and innocence of Ariel, never has a crab been so loveable and entertaining as Kevin Smith Kirkwood’s  and Vicki Lewis is brilliant as the evil sea witch Ursula.  My only regret is that I no longer live blocks away from this midtown hot spot…I would have likely taken this trip “Fathoms Below” more than once.

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