Sebastian is right. 

Life under the sea is better than anything we have up here especially if it is Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s lively and family-friendly production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.  Having witnessed Disney’s 1989 classic The Little Mermaid several times, one of the many reasons to see Reagle Music Theatre’s stage version is it contains additional songs and scenes while still delivering all the beloved dialogue, music, and costumes from the 1989 film.  It was refreshing to see that The Little Mermaid has so much more to say.

Directed and choreographed exuberantly by Taavon Gamble with buoyant music direction by David Coleman, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid through Sunday, August 6 live and in person at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts.  This production is 130 minutes with a fifteen minute intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Less than 35 years after the release of Disney’s 1989 classic film and not too long after the release of Disney’s live action remake The Little Mermaid this year, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has chosen a grand time to bring this land and sea classic to life onstage.  Some will recognize the set pieces and settings from the 1989 film, but Reagle’s production also boasts a great deal of originality as well.

From shimmering fins to uniquely- shaped, brilliantly colored costumes adorned with carefully structured headdresses, Emerald City Theatrical delivers Caribbean charm in all of its animated splendor.  Tony Ferrieri’s layered aquatic scenic design combined with Franklin Meissner Jr’s impressive lighting enhances the complexion and depth of the production’s kaleidoscopic waves, transforming from welcoming to at times threatening along a backdrop steeped in puffy clouds.

Based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale and the Disney film, The Little Mermaid is about a curious mermaid princess named Ariel, depicted with vibrant charm and soaring vocals by Kayla Shimizu, who falls in love with not only a human prince, but the world on land.  She is offered a way to escape the sea, but will she take it?

The Little Mermaid boasts a completely lovable cast led by Ariel, portrayed with enthusiastic, wide eyed wonder by Kayla Shimizu.  Shimizu’s compelling performance and powerful vocals are remarkably reminiscent of Jodi Benson, the actress who voiced Ariel in the 1989 film.  Shimizu shines with splendid renditions of Part of Your World, The World Above and If Only.  Shimizu shares captivating moments with Ray Robinson as amiable and refined Prince Eric, sweet camaraderie with endearing Kenny Lee as shy, friendly and adorable Flounder and brave, streetwise, and frank Jack Mullen as seagull Scuttle.  Having depicted Will Parker in Reagle’s previous musical, Oklahoma, Mullen again demonstrates his sharp comic wit and jubilant dance moves in a hilarious rendition of Positoovity. 

A vision in deep, sparkling red, Davron S. Munroe is exemplary as strict and critical crab Sebastian who assists King Triton, portrayed with wise regality by Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia.  In a display of bursting color and enchanting merriment, Munroe’s calypso-infused rendition of Under the Sea is stupendous and Kiss the Girl not only has tender charm, but delivers a humorous and delightful depiction of twilight, especially as frogs look on.

Sibling rivalry has never been more fun as showcased through Ariel’s mersisters consisting of Kindred Moore, Aimee Coleman, Joy Clark, Ellie Lauter, Aubrie-Mai Rubel and Olivia Foght.  They are gorgeous beauty queens who gossip, laugh and try to upstage each other.  They perform a catchy, 50s style rendition of She’s in Love with Flounder where even the fishy puns are cute.

Rich Allegretto as Grimsby is also impressive as Prince Eric’s traditional yet sympathetic advisor and Teddy Edgar as deranged and passionate Chef Louis is hilarious even in a brief appearance for a marvelous rendition of Les Poissons.  Edgar’s menacing eyes and passion for food make every moment count! 

A trio of dastardly proportions takes shape in Katherine Pecevich as Ursula and Ursula’s two lurking and smirking neon electric eel henchmen portrayed by Miki Grubic as Flotsam and  Alan Cid as Jetsam.  With wild hair and a black and purple glittering gown, Pecevich’s slippery manipulations and brash, yet shrewd machinations match whatever Cid and Grubic have in their co-conspiring minds.  Even though Ursula is the main attraction, Cid and Grubic’s functioning and eye catching costumes do a bit of their own scene stealing.  However, Pecevich’s charisma shines in a devious rendition of Poor Unfortunate Souls, her husky vocals only second to her maniacal laughter.

Directed and choreographed exuberantly by Taavon Gamble with buoyant music direction by David Coleman, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid through Sunday, August 6 live and in person at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts.  This production is 130 minutes with a fifteen minute intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.