Paul Kane theatre group performs The Little Mermaid

A challenge to produce, but a delight to the senses, Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid arrives at the Arden Theatre with its cross-generational appeal.

The Paul Kane High School theatre and music programs resurrect the musical’s quirky parade of animated characters, witty score, brilliant lyrics and visually entertaining set bathed in watery illusions.

“We’ve never done a Disney production,” said show choreographer Angee Lockhart. “We decided to do a kid-centric show and stretch ourselves a bit. The Little Mermaid is a classic and there’s a strong message of following your dreams both for Ariel and Eric.”

The musical is based on the ĂĽber popular 1989 Disney animated film. Renowned for pillaging the classics, Disney adapted its animation from the darker Hans Christian Andersen fairytale of a mermaid that dreams about life on land. She gives up her voice and eventually her life for the love of prince.

Although Disney’s animation is lighter and fluffier, it was the entertainment monolith’s first venture featuring an empowered feminist heroine that gets the prince, but doesn’t need saving. In fact, she saves his life.

In this version, Ariel is princess of the merworld who defies her father, King Triton, to romance the handsome Prince Eric, a landlubber with a passion for the sea.

To fulfil her destiny, Ariel enters into a mismatched bargain with the evil sea witch Ursula, who overhauls the princess’s fish tail into a pair of human legs. But dark magic always demands payment in the form of a steep personal price.

The large cast of about 50 actors and 18 live musicians meld a wide variety of talents. Heading the extensive list of credits is Grade 11 student Emma Anderson as the youthful, fun-loving and curious Ariel.

“Emma is phenomenal. She’s a talent for sure. She has Ariel’s voice. When she auditioned, she understood who Ariel was and she allowed it to show,” said Lockhart.

Paired evenly with Anderson is Grade 10 student Ben Brown as the charming Prince Eric.

“Ben’s voice matched the Eric part and he looked the part. Ben is young and enthusiastic and has a naÄŹvetĂ© about him like the prince who thinks he can do what he wants until he discovers he can’t,” said Lockhart.

Grade 10 student Hannah La Pierre as the villainous Ursula is a “cross between a diva and someone desperate to be in power. She’s found that perfect mix.”

And of the other sea creatures, Lockhart notes that Conor Meadows (also a St. Albert Children’s Theatre actor) has nailed Sebastian’s Caribbean accent while Brett Williams encapsulates Flounder’s loyalty, innocence and romantic feelings for Ariel.

The spirited score, with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman respectively, pulls together diverse genres from the Calypso rhythms of Under the Sea and the sixties doo-wop She’s in Love to the boisterous sea shanty Fathoms Below and Les Poisson, a French kitchen song.

“For the kids in this show, this is classic Disney – fun, fun, fun. They all know it. They know the songs. They saw the film as kids and many have been to Disneyland. The show is colourful and bright. Ursula is dark, but good wins in the end. Love conquers all, but you need sacrifice to get there,” Lockhart said.