One of musical theater’s most popular and enduring Disney shows, The Little Mermaid, brings its charms to the Elsinore Theatre stage for a limited engagement Friday, Jan. 4 – Sunday, Jan. 6.

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale, and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for all ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this family-friendly fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”

The Little Mermaid is a special production of Pentacle Theatre, Salem’s leading nonprofit community theater since 1954.

STORYLINE

The beautiful mermaid Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, falls in love with the human Prince Eric of the world above. So, Ariel bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her mermaid tail for legs so she can follow her heart. But the bargain comes with strings attached, and Ursula also steals Ariel’s beautiful voice. Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea, return her voice and find true love.

Featuring a cast of 51 talented actors, hundreds of colorful costume pieces, a live orchestra and plenty of singing and dancing on the beautiful Elsinore Theatre stage, The Little Mermaid is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

“It’s a challenge to bring a show of this size to our smaller stage and house at Pentacle Theatre,” said the show’s director Karen McCarty.

“Bringing our annual Pentacle Theatre fundraiser to the Elsinore Theatre is a plus for both the audience and our cast and crew,” she said. “We have more room for the production, and the wonderful dynamic of the Elsinore’s large house filled with people helps create a kind of energy between the audience and the players that results in pure magic.”

McCarty and her cast and production team have been rehearsing and preparing for The Little Mermaid since September. “It’s a huge effort with lots of moving parts,” McCarty said. “The cast has been working hard to learn dialogue, songs and dances, but there’s also lots of work happening behind the scenes by our set designers, costumers, hair dressers, makeup artists, prop masters, running crew and orchestra that will bring this fairy-tale story to life.”

THE CAST

The cast includes a mix of Pentacle Theatre favorites and newcomers, with Lindy Bibeau as Ariel, Chris Owens as Prince Eric, Kent Wilson as Sebastian, Kelsey Brown as Ursula, Noah Nieves Driver as Jetsam, Jillyn Chang as Flotsam, Jeffrey Watson as Scuttle, Chris Davidson as King Triton, Clara Lathen as Flounder, Tim Jaeger as Grimsby and Brett Hochstetler as Chef Louis and the Pilot.

The lead players are joined by 40 ensemble actors — from adults to young kids — who play mersisters, princesses, sailors, chefs, courtiers, seagulls and other land and undersea creatures.

IF YOU GO
What: Disney’s The Little Mermaid — book by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. Directed for Pentacle Theatre by Karen McCarty, with vocal director Kara Quello, choreographer Dee Montgomery, music director Christie Smith and costume designer Susan Schoaps.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, and matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6.

Where: The Elsinore Theatre, 170 High Street SE, Salem, Oregon.

Sponsored by: Pentacle Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid is made possible by generous support from the Compton Family Foundation.

Tickets: Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for ages 17 and under, plus fees depending on where you buy. For the best ticket prices, drop by Pentacle Theatre’s downtown Salem ticket office at 145 Liberty St. NE or call 503-485-4300 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Buy now to avoid disappointment: Tickets are on sale now and make a great holiday gift for the entire family. Pentacle’s annual fundraiser musicals are very popular and shows sell out well in advance. For the best ticket prices, drop by Pentacle Theatre’s downtown Salem ticket office at 145 Liberty St. NE or call 503-485-4300 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

IT’S THE ANNUAL PENTACLE THEATRE FUNDRAISER

Each year, Pentacle Theatre produces a large-cast, family friendly musical extravaganza as a special fundraiser.

INFORMATION AND INTERVIEWS

The Little Mermaid Director Karen McCarty: karenlittlemermaid@gmail.com or 503-851-6785.
• Pentacle Theatre Executive Director Lisa Joyce: lisa@pentacletheatre.org or 503-485-4300.