Disney's The Little Mermaid
at Tuscarora High School

Reviewed on May 4, 2018

Max Jackson
James Madison High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Perhaps the ultimate goal of a performer is to pull the audience in, to make them feel part of their world. Tuscarora High School manages this feat, with their lovely staging of The Little Mermaid.

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story, the Little Mermaid was adapted into a Disney musical in 1989. It proved massively successful, sparking what many call the Disney Renaissance of the 90s. Following that success, it was adapted into a stage musical in 2007 by Doug Wright and Alan Menken. The show ran for over 600 performances from 2008-2009 and garnered several Tony nominations.

Tuscarora's production proves to be a solid, entertaining show. Impressive vocal performances are supported by clever choreography and incredibly vibrant costumes and set, and a magnificent ensemble elevates an incredible leading cast.

As the Little Mermaid herself, Carrie Zurliene deserves all the attention Ariel is due. Delivering classic songs with an amazing, emotionally ranged voice, her acting draws you into the whirlpool of this character. Zurliene effortlessly recreates many aspects of Jodi Benson's original movie performance, from the animated expressions to the little moments. Even just the way she says "feet" in "Part of Your World" brings forth wonderful childhood memories. Even more impressively, in the songs new to the stage musical that don't appear in the movie, Zurliene shines and gives Ariel whole new dimensions. To top it off, James Sheppard backs her up with a melodically light Prince Eric.

The many supporting characters add such fun to the show. JJ Hensley stands out as Sebastian, delivering wonderful comic assistance and Jamaican accent with unyielding exuberance and confidence. Hensley unfortunately has to be in a wheelchair for the performances, but he takes it in stride and uses this to positive effect. Natalie Ah Nee brings out a delightfully evil Ursula, followed by her devious Eel Minions Flotsam and Jetsam, respectively played by Krystena Pennix and Faith Jordan. Kelly De Angioletti and Teryn Cuozzo as Flounder and Scuttle embody their ridiculously comedic roles with charisma and charm. De Angioletti elevates Flounder's lines with detailed emotion, making even the smallest phrase tug at heartstrings, and Cuozzo flaps and guffaws around the stage with joyous braggadocio. And don't forget Luke Barbour as Chef Louis, absolutely stealing his scene and bringing his all to his animated, zany role.

The rest of the ensemble is on the same level. Every voice was smooth and ranged, and the dancing was spot on with the show's atmosphere. Ariel's sisters stand out with incredible vocal performances, easily making "She's in Love" one of the most memorable numbers in the show. Similarly, the ensemble glitters with suaveness and dedication in songs like "Kiss the Girl", blending Disney glamour with tender nuance.

The technical elements are as dynamic as the cast. Soft fabrics drape over the few set pieces to give them an aesthetically pleasing ocean-worn look. The costumes are all vibrant, brilliantly incorporating Heelys to emulate the smooth movement of swimming, a feature that gets utilized in the dances as well. The makeup is incredibly detailed, down to the scales on the Merpeople's faces, and changed and reapplied with unnoticeable ease. Perhaps most excitingly, the show pulls off several flying scenes, with Ariel ascending into the air as she swims around her kingdom under the sea.

Tuscarora's production of the Little Mermaid is fun, charming, dazzling, and at times even heartbreakingly emotional. With its solid cast and killer tech, any poor, unfortunate souls who haven't seen it are missing out on a treat.

Alex Budzynski
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Loveable characters, eye-popping colors, and over-the-top effects- Tuscarora High School's dazzling performance of Disney's The Little Mermaid reeled in the audience, inspiring one to become a ‘part of their world,' deep down and "Under the Sea."

The Little Mermaid first appeared as a fairy tale crafted by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837 and has been subsequently passed along by generations. Since the release of the classic 1989 animated movie produced by Walt Disney, the story has become a universally recognized title. Most recently, the musical adaptation, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, appeared on Broadway for a single season.

Ariel (Carrie Zurliene) commanded the stage with her mature and captivating voice, and her facial expressions and gestures articulately conveyed meaning, particularly while Ariel was unable to speak. Flounder (Kelly De Angioletti) proved to be a brilliant and fresh counterpart to Ariel, as she effectively transformed from awkward to confident while remaining hilarious. Another standout was the discomfited yet energetic Scuttle (Teryn Cuozzo) whose fancy footwork was particularly memorable in the tap dancing sequence of "Positoovity." Ariel's trusty posse would of course not be complete without Sebastian (JJ Hensley) whose superior vocals and presence on stage was consistently entertaining and astonishing. Despite being in a wheelchair, (which was brilliantly incorporated into his costume) Hensley captivated the audience as he controlled the stage in numbers such as "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl."

However, none of these numbers would be complete if it wasn't for the twirling, flipping, and flashy sea creatures who remained entirely engaged and energetic while in the background. Furthermore, the Mersisters ensemble proved themselves the coolest clique on the ocean floor with every sassy movement and tight harmony, as displayed in the song "She's in Love." Finally was the incredible duo of Flotsam (Krystena Pennix) and Jetsam (Faith Jordan), for with every coordinated, snake-like movement they sent chills to the audience. In addition, their chemistry paired perfectly both vocally and physically with the luscious, deep voice and ghoulish spirit of Ursula (Natalie Ah Nee), as portrayed in "Poor Unfortunate Souls."

One cannot forget the many technical elements which submerged the audience into the deep, blue ocean. One of the most inventive methods by which this was accomplished was through the wheeled shoes, which were elegantly utilized by the cast to seemingly swim on and off stage. Also, the special fly system rigged for this show impressively allowed Ariel to be hoisted into the air and appear to be swimming in water. Finally, the elaborate but fun costumes and makeup of every color were creatively designed and used by the cast, especially the various sea creatures.

The essential theme of water versus land was evidently achieved through the lighting of this show by Taylor Vigil. Every light plot was well-thought out, planned, and set a proper tone in the appropriate scene, such as the green used for the eels. Additionally, the minimalist set pieces were very effective in establishing a location of each scene, but not distracting from the actions on stage as well as leaving plenty of space for the numerous dance routines. Equally notable was the brilliant flow of the show, largely due to the seamless scene changes which happened in mere seconds. Finally, the blend of sound obtained by Julia Spewak was extremely professional, with only some microphones becoming too loud at points.

From the land to the sea, Tuscarora High School certainly crafted a fun-filled show that left no nook of the ocean unexplored.

Miles Jackson
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Mermaids, evil sea serpents, crabby crustaceans, and creatures of the sea galore! We all know it, we all love it; it's Disney's The Little Mermaid! And though it may take a deep-sea plunge to visit our friends from under the sea, the powerful and pertinent subjects of love, deception, and individuality bring us humans ever closer to our nautical neighbors.

Adapted from the 1989 Disney film and the Hans Andersen fairy tale both of the same name, The Little Mermaid follows Ariel, a youthful mermaid, who wants more than anything to live above water. Willed by her dream as well as her pursuit of a love interest, Ariel must choose to follow her heart or her tail.

Tuscarora High School brought exciting color and energy to the stage most prominently through creative technical and design choices. In large numbers such as "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl," intricate costumes and makeup created striking and engaging stage pictures throughout the production. Though it can be difficult for some in Act II to distinguish between land and sea scenes, Tuscarora made the distinction clear with adaptive lighting and set choices, such as the "sun" spotlight and the columns to depict land and the rock formation to indicate underwater scenes in Ursula's lair or Ariel's cove. Whether it was Flounder's coiffure, the vibrant lighting, or the giant jellyfish puppets, there was always a technical aspect to lure the audience in.

Ariel (Carrie Zurliene) drove the performance with her compelling vocal performance as well as her charm; however, her true capabilities flourished in Act II, when Ariel loses her voice to Ursula. Here she was able to demonstrate her acting prowess through her non-verbal communication and characterization. Natalie Ah Nee brought spunk and charisma to her role as Ursula. Her ability to command the stage with her voice both in and out of song complimented her character perfectly. Lastly, Kelly De Angioletti beautifully developed Flounder, mixing the perfect ratio of humor and innocence for her character.

Among the most powerful songs in the play was "She's In Love." The chemistry and energy of the Mersisters was enchanting throughout the number, and the well-executed harmonies made it an audience favorite. In a much different light, the two sea serpents, Flotsam (Krystena Pennix) and Jetsam (Faith Jordan), were constantly engaged. Their creepy fluid movements and choreography as well as their impressive vocal abilities made the deceit of Ariel all the more convincing. Lastly, one of the biggest standouts of the ensemble was Sam Barthel, playing Windward the seahorse. No matter if he was on stage for a brief moment or an entire song, he remained one of the most engaging to watch throughout the show.

Though The Little Mermaid is commonly known far and wide, its application to modern themes remains ever present, and Tuscarora accurately reminded us once again of how truly similar we can be to those who live under the sea!

Sam Fremin
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Disney's "The Little Mermaid" is beloved all around the world. Everyone knows something about the story, even if they've never watched a version of it before. Overcoming major obstacles, Tuscarora High School's production of "The Little Mermaid" offered a modified take on the classic in a way that kept the audience engaged throughout.

"The Little Mermaid" is a Broadway adaptation of Disney's 1989 film that was heavily inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. It follows Ariel, a mermaid, who dreams of living on land as a human and Eric, a prince, who is in desperate need of finding love. A sea witch, Ursula, gives Ariel feet, allowing her to experience land above for the first time. That comes with a price however; a price that leaves Ariel voiceless and Eric confused as he tries to connect with his love interest exclusively nonverbally.

One of the largest obstacles Tuscarora was faced with was written in by the original authors. Carrie Zurliene, as Ariel, spent almost all of act two unable to speak to her castmates. While her acting prowess was on full display prior to the intermission break, Zurliene's understanding of her character shined blindingly bright afterwards. Simultaneously, James Sheppard (Prince Eric) was placed in a sink or swim situation as he had to get the audience invested in his struggle for love without anyone talking opposite him. His concern and eventual elation seemed genuine throughout the piece. Both Zurliene and Sheppard's voices worked together in song to show the connection that was difficult to express without constant dialogue.

No question about it, JJ Hensley, in the role of Sebastian, stole the whole show. Arguably dealt the trickiest hand out of anyone in the cast, Hensley performed from the seat of a wheelchair. What's more is, his portrayal of Sebastian did not flounder even slightly, in spite of his uncommon position. Hensley's vocal skills and clear knack for comedic timing took a backseat to his infectious energy. The show always benefited from his presence onstage. Hensley was not the only undersea actor that was under injury stress, Dawson Lazorchak (King Triton) performed with a recently broken arm. Astoundingly enough, again it had no impact on the quality he offered. Lazorchak's singing was a welcome portion of the heartfelt "If Only (Quartet)" with Ariel, Eric, and Sebastian. Natalie Ah Nee, Krystena Pennix, and Faith Jordan (Ursula, Flotsam, and Jetsam, respectively) demonstrated clear chemistry whenever onstage together. Their scenes often included few to no other characters. Rather than allowing these moments to drown, the trio played off of each other in a way that kept audience members constantly engaged.

The visual spectacle would not have felt complete had it not been for the technical design. Forced to conceal major injuries, it's highly impressive the costume team was able to come up with pieces so gorgeous and functional. No mishaps regarding costumes occurred and they were easy to marvel at. The lighting highlighted the well thought out set pieces and gave the illusion of being underwater. Every factor of the show complimented one another and the end result was an enjoyable experience all the way around. I do not envy any ‘poor unfortunate souls' who managed to miss it.

Amanda Hampton
Riverside High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

Overflowing with whimsical charm and vivacity, Tuscarora High School's production of The Little Mermaid was a dazzling blast from the past as they took on the childhood classic and brought the audience on a fun-filled journey under the sea.

Based on the 1989 Disney film of the same name and boasting music by Alan Menken and a book by Doug Wright, the musical made its Broadway debut in 2008. It marks a continuation of the Hans Christian Anderson tale of a spirited mermaid who feels out of place in her own environment and falls in love with a human prince and his world. She struggles to find her place while coping with an overbearing father, resentful sisters, and a scheming sea-witch, and along the way discovers the importance of family and following even the most improbable of dreams.

The cast did a commendable job of breathing new life into the familiar characters while retaining the nostalgia characteristic of roles popularized by Disney. As the titular little mermaid, Carrie Zurliene provided an anchor for the production from the moment she glided onto the stage. Her fresh-faced exuberance and crystalline voice made for a vibrant, engaging performance, and she managed to encompass both Ariel's bubbly nature and her inner conflict. JJ Hensley was another standout as the uptight Sebastian, often managing to steal the show with his high-strung tendencies and effortlessly resonant voice, which made numbers such as "Kiss the Girl" a true pleasure to watch.

Krystena Pennix and Faith Jordan lent a sense of slinky malignance to the sea witch's sly henchmen Flotsam and Jetsam, maintaining an air of creeping servility throughout the delightfully sinister "Sweet Child." As a whole, the ensemble maintained a laudable dynamism that kept the audience fully engaged throughout high-energy group numbers.

It seemed the goings-on behind the scenes went just as swimmingly as the onstage action. Taylor Vigil's lighting reflected the underwater locale, with blue tones rippling across the stage and bright lights hitting bows of ships and crests of waves just as sunlight might hit the sea. Molly Klemm, Carrie Zurliene, Teryn Cuozzo, and Alina Mitchell made up a quality costume crew, re-working traditional characters' costume concepts into imaginative breaths of fresh air. Each technical element served to add another dimension to the fantastical enchantment of the show.

Overall, Tuscarora High School managed to wholly capture the magic and nostalgia that lie at the heart of The Little Mermaid, thereby ensuring that the audience truly felt a part of their world.