The Little Mermaid
at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Reviewed on February 20, 2016

Lydia Gompper
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's performance of "The Little Mermaid" took the audience back to the days of their youth, diving into the watery world of one of Disney's most iconic stories. Complete with dancing sea creatures, powerful incantations, and a tale of true love, Thomas Jefferson's production possessed a magical whimsy that tugged on the child within all of us.

Disney's "The Little Mermaid," based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name, arrived in movie theaters in 1989, and became one of the most beloved animated films of all time. The stage adaptation followed nearly two decades later, arriving on Broadway in 2008. The story follows a wayward mer-princess by the name of Ariel who trades her beautiful voice to an evil sea-witch in return for the opportunity to enter the human world and nab her dream boy, Prince Eric. Thomas Jefferson High School created a delightful production of this Disney classic, with a score of familiar musical numbers that had the audience tapping their feet and mouthing the lyrics. The cast was energetic and committed, armed with the aura of innocent lightheartedness that a good Disney show requires.

In the title role of the "Little Mermaid" herself, Sophia Martinese, impressed with her lovely, crystalline soprano. Her voice held an enchanting mix of prettiness and power, swelling beautifully in musical numbers such as "Part of Your World." Throughout the production, Martinese maintained the sweetness and purity of a true Disney princess.

Abby Peterson, as the evil Ursula, was brilliantly sinister. Although she spent much of the show confined to her throne, she had no trouble commanding the stage. Her singing voice was smooth and expressive, wowing the audience from her very first solo, "Daddy's Little Girl." Alongside her sly sidekicks Flotsam and Jetsam (Juliana Gruver and Jennifer Steele, respectively), Peterson possessed a charisma that made her the ideal antagonist - the one you love to hate. Peterson also displayed a level of professionalism and maturity that is rare in a high school student, calmly pushing through the sound issues that occurred during "Poor Unfortunate Souls."

Another onstage standout was Timmy Chan in the role of Sebastian, the put-upon crab charged with Ariel's protection. Decked out in a snazzy red suit, he performed with incredible charm and likeability. His Jamaican accent was consistent throughout the performance, and his singing voice was strong and clear. His rendition of "Under the Sea" was one of the strongest moments of the night, with Chan leading an enthusiastic ensemble to produce a bright, lively number that was an expression of pure joy.

This production also impressed with many of its design elements, and a truly phenomenal orchestra. The orchestra started the show off strong with an absolutely stunning overture, and continued to wow the audience throughout the night. The production's costumes, designed by Masha Goykhberg, were also outstanding. The show's many sea creatures, all dressed in human clothing, were creatively and attractively interpreted. Ariel's fish-friend Flounder (Debi Das), for instance, wore an outfit as adorable as her personality, with a bright yellow shirt and thin blue suspenders.

"The Little Mermaid" is a show that comes with high expectations. With so many beloved characters and songs, it can be difficult for a production to live up to those expectations, but Thomas Jefferson High School had no trouble. Their performance of "The Little Mermaid" was spirited and fantastically entertaining, truly a night well spent.

Shanthi Gnanasekaran
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

A childhood classic came to life with the flamboyant, exhilarating performance of The Little Mermaid by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The audience took a tour under the sea as energetic thespians executed the perfect amount of humor, vocal technique, and charisma. Whether it was the melodic tones played by the Calypso Band, the sizzling chemistry between Ariel and Prince Eric, or the hilarious dance numbers by Sebastian the crab, Thomas Jefferson Theatre had the audience by the hooks for the entire show.

The nostalgic love story between a mermaid and a prince, first written by Hans Christian Andersen and later popularized by the 1989 Walt Disney film, The Little Mermaid follows young Ariel as she pursues her dreams of true love above the sea, against the wishes of her overprotective father. Sacrificing her voice to an evil sea witch, Ariel leaves the deep sea life she has always known to seek the man she laid eyes on for the briefest of moments. Accompanied by her best mate Flounder and crustacean companion Sebastian, Ariel embarks on a journey of hope, trust, and friendship, proving to all that true love cannot be replaced by anything - not even a voice.

Sophia Martinese, as Ariel, brought forth a voice truly suited to her role as the popular Disney princess. With her graceful movement and sweet soprano, she perfectly embodied the quaint mermaid, and enraptured the audience every time she performed. Other notable performances included those by Sebastian (Timmy Chan) and Ursula (Abby Peterson). Timmy Chan portrayed the role of Sebastian, hilariously, and had the audience doubling over in laughter with his performances in "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl." Chan also brought an impressive vocal range to his role, superbly executing his musical numbers. Abby Peterson was perfect as the vengeful sea witch, Ursula. With a powerful voice, she was excellent for the role, and oozed catty attitude upon her pedestal, bringing forth admiration and laughter from the audience.

With few creatively placed props, the set design team did an outstanding job, and convinced the audience of the presence of the coral reef. The lighting was also executed well, with appropriately colored designs, such as a soft purple light during love scenes. Thomas Jefferson Theatre did an exceptional job with their production, and swam into the hearts of all the audience members who attended.

Kathryn Heislup
Thomas Edison High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

The salt on your skin and the wind in your hair, is it coming from the ocean? No! It's coming from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Theatre's production of "The Little Mermaid"!

"The Little Mermaid", a musical based on the 1989 Disney film of the same name and Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, is a story of sacrifice and love as a mermaid gives up her voice in exchange for legs in order to be with the man she is falling in love with.

At the show's lead were Sophia Martinese as Ariel and Arjun Guidroz as Prince Eric. Martinese played Ariel beautifully with "swim-like" movements that created a believable underwater character, and a very "princess-y" tone in both her speaking and singing voice which brought innocence and beauty to her character. Martinese and Guidroz had great stage chemistry and worked well together in vocal and dance numbers.

Sitting in front of the stage with festive fish hats and notable enthusiasm was the TJ Mermaid Orchestra, who really captured the fun and whimsical feeling of The Little Mermaid. Not only did they play beautifully, but were included in numbers like "Under the Sea" in addition to the ensemble of puppeteers, who had beautifully crafted puppets from adorable seahorses to an extravagant angler fish. At the helm of the number "Under the Sea" was Timmy Chan as Sebastian, who possessed impressive vocals and hilarious dancing that definitely allowed a smile to creep up on all audience members' faces. Chan did a wonderful job as Sebastian, as he used the stage very well and was very expressive continuously throughout the show.

Down in the depths of her lair was the despicable Ursula, portrayed by Abby Peterson. Although Peterson was secluded to one platform for a majority of the show, she captured the character of Ursula through her movements and facial expressions. Every single move she made had specific purpose, which really created a loathsome character. In addition to her movements, her voice fit the character wonderfully and really shined in the song "Daddy's Little Angel". Her two odious little helpers, Flotsam (Juliana Gruver) and Jetsam (Jennifer Steele), were great in assisting Ursula (Peterson) with snide comments and sly movement. Both were great in numbers with Ursula (Peterson) and in their duet "Sweet Child".

In addition to the wonderful music and talented actors were beautiful set pieces designed by Rebecca Linick and Julie Lee. From the rocks in Ariel's grotto to Prince Eric's ship, all pieces were beautiful and effective. Most impressive though was the coral, which had been partially made out of coffee filters which was creative and surprisingly extremely beautiful. Although the set pieces were somewhat minimal, they were strikingly beautiful and got the underwater idea across admirably.

With beautiful music, nautical set pieces, and an extremely dedicated ensemble, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's production of "The Little Mermaid" was entirely successful in making the audience smile in nostalgia for this beloved "fish-tale".

Brittany Geier
Teens and Theatre
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

What is more popular than a story of a young woman rebelling against her parents' standards and struggling to find her voice in a world where she feels misunderstood? Nearly every teenager can relate to this situation, and the performance of The Little Mermaid by the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology provided an entertaining perspective on the power of true love.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's story and the 1989 Disney film of the same name, The Little Mermaid began its debut as a stage musical in 2007. The show opened on Broadway on January 10, 2008, and closed on August 30, 2009 after 685 performances. Notably, Sierra Boggess won Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female) for her portrayal of Ariel. The story tells of a young mermaid who longs to experience the world of humans against the will of her father, King Triton (Roman Kasparian). Falling in love with Prince Eric (Arjun Guidroz), Ariel (Sophia Martinese) trades away her beautiful voice in exchange for a spell that transforms her into a human. Having only three days to win a kiss from the prince and thus remain a human forever, Ariel encounters a series of events that test her love for Eric.

Thomas Jefferson's production was anchored by the unabated energy and enthusiasm of the cast, which was evident in scenes such as "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl." Furthermore, the witty humor sprinkled throughout the show elicited constant laughter from the audience, and several cast members performed beautiful vocals.

Sophia Martinese brought a sweet yet determined personality to the character of Ariel and convincingly displayed her character's inner conflict between love and loyalty to her father and a deep desire to experience the real world. As Prince Eric, Arjun Guidroz conveyed his character's struggle between adherence to tradition and a longing to follow his heart. In their scenes together, the two lead actors portrayed a believable romantic relationship that captured the joy and passion of innocent first love.

Many supporting actors and ensembles contributed to the show's humor and riveting scenes. Decked out in a bright red suit, Timmy Chan as Sebastian was hilarious and elicited much laughter from the audience as he sang and capered about the stage and cracked witty jokes. Abby Peterson (Ursula) brought an evil, sinister sense of humor to her character; furthermore, despite the fact that her range of motion was limited, her use of body language and voice intonation effectively conveyed Ursula's malice. Playing Prince Eric's palace chef, Jeb Berger carried an impressive, consistent French accent through all of his lines and provided much entertainment as he sang and hacked viciously at the fish on his cutting board.

The sets and props used during the show were simple yet elegant and gave a convincing impression of being underwater. In particular, the bright, colorful coral and sea animals were eye-catching and visually exciting. Some of the singers were occasionally off-key or hesitant, and the choreography sometimes lacked depth and precision; nevertheless, the constant energy and enthusiasm from the actors afforded an enjoyable, humorous performance that delighted the audience. The costumes and make-up effectively transformed the actors into their various characters without detracting from their humanity or their performance.

Thomas Jefferson's production of The Little Mermaid was unique in its presentation of this beloved classic while displaying the power of true love.

Anna Merrill
Teens and Theatre
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Would you give up a part of yourself for someone you loved? That is one of the questions posed by "The Little Mermaid", one of Disney's most classic and beloved movies-turned-musicals. The actors of Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology took on this classic production with aplomb, and thanks to the numerous talents of the students, their performance was very charming.

The Little Mermaid tells the tale of Ariel (Sophia Martinese), a teenaged sea princess who constantly longs to venture out of her world under the ocean and to join the world above. When she chances to rescue the charming Prince Eric (Arjun Guidroz) from a ship wreck, her resolve to leave the ocean kingdom only strengthens. Ariel makes an ill-advised deal with the bitter sea witch Ursula (Abby Peterson) and has three days to make Eric fall in love with her- without the use of her voice.

Directed by Jennifer Lowery, TJ's production started off strong before the actors even graced the stage, thanks to the talented orchestra. The instruments were all in sync, rarely hitting a wrong note, and the dynamic in the music left the audience captivated. Although the orchestra sometimes overpowered the voices of the actors, overall, they added to the enchanting atmosphere.

Sophia Martinese was a gorgeous leading lady who embodied both the innocence and determination of her character. Martinese also had a clear, pleasant voice and hit many electrifying notes. She worked very well with her fellow counterpart, Eric (Guidroz), allowing the two to appear to be in love.

Even with a persuasive protagonist, a show is only as good as its villain, and the menacing Ursula (Peterson) certainly delivered. Peterson was in character from the moment that she stepped onto the stage, and never broke from her menacing, arrogant demeanor. Peterson also had consistently strong vocals. Another audience favorite was Timmy Chan (Sebastian), who gave one of the most energetic performances of the night, and proved his vocal chops after carrying two of the show's biggest numbers.

Nearly every performer was strong on his or her own merit, but the most captivating moments of TJ's show came when the whole cast was working together. "Under the Sea", the musical's most iconic company number, was filled with energy and had the audience on the edge of their seats. Although the production was occasionally marred by sound issues, the cast made up for it with their confidence and personality.

Another factor that contributed to the fun, enchanting atmosphere was the show's set design. The set was colorful and exciting without being over-the-top, and understated without being sparse. The costumes, designed by Masha Goykhberg, were also creatively designed and fun to look at. Goykhberg took a more humanized take on the animal costumes, with Sebastian in a fiery red suit and Flounder (Debi Das) in blue suspenders.

Overall, TJ's "The Little Mermaid" was fun and enchanting. Thanks to the charismatic, confident performers, the audience was spellbound, and left the theater that night with unshakable smiles on their faces.

Emily Lachow
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

This beloved tale first entered the hearts of young girls in 1989 as a Disney animated film, depicting mermaid Ariel's journey to find love with human Prince Eric. The film won Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Score, and became an instant classic. It was adapted as a Broadway musical in 2007 and closed two years later after a successful run.

Sophia Martinese was the light and heart of the production as Ariel. She truly encompassed the mermaid's girlish charm, and traversed her character's journey with a pure, sweet singing voice. As Ariel's leading man, Prince Eric (Arjun Guidroz) was endearing and romantic. Guidroz portrayed the blossoming relationship of Eric and Ariel with a princely confidence that complimented Martinese's dainty elegance.

Timmy Chan's Sebastian was the anchor of the show. Bouncing with energy across the stage from start to finish, Chan lead the ensemble with finesse and outstanding vocals during "Under the Sea." His emotional range, charismatic humor, and smooth execution of choreography captivated the audience's attention and refused to let it go.

However, what family-friendly musical would be complete without a Disney villain? Ursula (Abby Peterson) filled those rather large shoes fearlessly. Delivering her lines with a dark, twisted humor and singing with a saucy voice well suited to her character, Peterson devotedly embodied Ursula's sea witch demeanor. Another notable actor was Jeb Berger as Chef Louis; his rendition of "Les Poissons" was delivered with a consistent French accent and an added flamboyant flair which made his performance all the more memorable. As Aquata, Ellie O'Reilly helmed the princess ensemble with a genuine eagerness and well-executed choreography.

The technical elements brought the magic of Thomas Jefferson High School's The Little Mermaid to life. The live student orchestra, which paralleled the emotional arch of the story flawlessly, was dynamically versatile and blended seamlessly with the actors' singing. The colorful costumes created an aesthetically appealing stage picture, especially the two-piece mermaid outfits. The creative set pieces had multiple uses; the ship could break apart and be used for staircases.

Thomas Jefferson High School's production of The Little Mermaid radiated the charm of the familiar Disney classic, while also adding their own magical touches. Their rendition of this timeless tale proved that love has the power to unite all, even humans and mermaids.

Maggie Shircliff
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology's production of The Little Mermaid takes us under the sea to visit some of the most beloved Disney characters. Following Ariel on her journey to find love, Thomas Jefferson's production allows the audience to relive their childhood and fall in love with the story all over again.

The Little Mermaid is based on Hans Christian Andersen's story about a young mermaid who gives up her voice in order to win over the love of a prince. Disney adapted this in 1989 and produced The Little Mermaid movie that many have come to love. The show made its Broadway debut in 2008, with book by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by both Howard Ashman, who wrote the lyrics for the film, and Glenn Slater, who wrote additional lyrics.

From the first moment she stepped on stage Sophia Martinese embodied the Ariel everyone knows and loves. Her undersea friends Flounder (Debi Das) and Sebastian (Timmy Chan) did an incredible job bringing the energy. Especially Sebastian's under the sea number, which was extremely entertaining to watch as Mr. Chan owned both the stage and his character, adding humor to the normally uptight Sebastian. Both Ms. Das and Mr. Chan had wonderful vocals, despite some microphone troubles. Both actors pushed through and delivered strong performances. Abby Peterson in the role of Ursula delivered wonderful vocals that were absolutely amazing. Ms. Peterson switched seamlessly from her head voice to chest to speaking, creating many dimensions to her songs. Despite being on a platform for the majority of the show Ms. Peterson owned the stage with her strong stage presence and commitment to the character. Another character that left an impression was Chef Louis (Jeb Berger). Despite his short stage time, Mr. Berger had the audience in fits of laughter with his solid accent and comedic timing.

The Calypso Band was truly hot, with a delightful orchestral performance that made the audience feel as if they were part of another world. The set was simple, yet versatile and allowed for flawless scene transitions. The hair and makeup was beautifully done, with Jetsam (Jennifer Steele) and Flotsam's (Juliana Gruver) hair standing out among the cast. Their styling and colors complimented Ariel's costume. Ariel's wig stayed perfect the whole show and looked natural. The costumes worked as modern clothing, because they reflected the characters personalities. Ursula's dress was stunning and well crafted, definitely a stand out piece.

From vocals to stage presence to incredible work behind the scenes, Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology put on a production that without a doubt stood on its own two feet, creating a fun environment for young an old audience members alike.

Cecily Wolfe
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The depths of the sea came alive with a mermaid's enchanting lilt as she dreamed of land and adeptly opened Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's The Little Mermaid the musical.

The fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen and the 1989 Disney movie both contributed to the creation of The Little Mermaid the musical, with the book written by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, which weaves the story of a young mermaid named Ariel who wishes for nothing more than to experience life above the ocean waters with the human race. The musical enjoyed a short run in Denver in 2007 before officially premiering on Broadway in January 2008.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's enthusiastic rendition of this classic tale captivated the audience with its charm and humor. Sophia Martinese's winsome portrayal of Ariel embodied the true innocence of the young protagonist. She fairly floated across stage, easily transitioning from a bright-eyed, open-faced girl to a pensive and forlorn dreamer. This change mirrored by her shifts between a strong, commanding voice to a sweet, airy voice in such numbers as "Part of Your World" and "Beyond My Wildest Dreams." Her tentative yet endearing flirtation with Prince Eric (Arjun Guidroz), who acted as the sincere and steady prince, illustrated the nervousness and excitement of first love. Ariel's infamous "protector," Sebastian, played by Timmy Chan, added a layer of levity to complement Martinese's optimism and Guidroz's candor. Chan's clear-cut vocals in "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl", along with the contrasting humorous reaction of a crab fearing for his life and an energetic entertainer grooving to an island beat, rendered Chan a delightful and caring comic. The villainous Ursula (Abby Peterson) commanded the stage in an entirely different way. Peterson's powerful voice and throaty threats rolled off her tongue particularly in "Poor Unfortunate Souls," as her confident sneer and assertive, hands-on-hips pose conveyed her casual and snide dominance.

In addition, a cast of quirky characters joined the fray, Roman Kasparian's (King Triton) pacing and wrinkled brow captured the stern and worrisome father. Loveable sidekick Flounder (Debi Das) flitted and shuffled with a certain bubbly nervousness wherever she went, while know-it-all seagull Scuttle (Aaryan Balu) tripped and guffawed his way across stage. Ursula's henchmen Flotsam and Jetsam (Juliana Gruver and Jennifer Steele) slithered and glided with oily voices through numbers such as "Sweet Child," and, in sharp contrast, Jeb Berger (Chef Louis) provided a hilarious moment in which he sung in a purposefully exaggerated about his maniacal glee for chopping fish in "Les Poissons." Finally, the sea creature ensemble as a whole contributed to the overall energy of the show as they swayed to the music and energetically sang in "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl."

Elements such as the dynamic, responsive orchestra, the creative use of stairs to represent a boat and minimal yet effective placement of rocks and a deep-sea layer, and coral made of colored coffee filters and fish made of papier-mâché heightened the show's innate magic. The modern takes on sea creature costumes, such as a sequined red jacket for Sebastian and blue suspenders for Flounder, as well as both fresh and contoured faces, flowing hair and green spikes, demonstrated the versatility and originality of both the costumes and makeup.

In other words, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's wonderful execution of The Little Mermaid reminded the audience what it is to dream of adventure and love and the joy in finally realizing that dream.