Reviews: The Little Mermaid at Yorktown High School
Written by Sasha Jacobs of Quince Orchard High School
Iridescent waves flow across the surface and fish painted in warm pinks and graceful blues dance through the billowing tides. The calm depths of the ocean are paved with concealed treasures of the underwater world - elegant kelp studded thrones, twirled shell instruments, and mysterious long-lost possessions from up above. But to Ariel, this place was merely a foyer to the life she yearned on land. Yorktown High School's production of The Little Mermaid showcased the beauty of both the underwater realm and human world.
Based on the 1989 film and fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid premiered on Broadway in 2008. The story was originally published by Hans Christian Anderson in 1837 and was adapted slightly to expand Ariel's aspirations to searching for both her prince and a world that fits her dreams. The musical version of The Little Mermaid introduces a new collection of engaging songs that enrich the story's character development.
Experiencing the performance of Elizabeth Marshall as Ariel delivered the same sensational feeling as watching a Disney maiden come to life. Marshall's transcendent voice trickled tantalizing tunes, and her elegant but innocent facade enveloped the image of a princess of the seas. Though Marshall's vocals shone through in the first act, she demonstrated the duality of her enactment of Ariel when challenged with the absence of speech - having traded it for life out of the water. Marshall's pure excitement and marvel at the world around her, along with her clumsy manner as she entered the unfamiliar human surroundings, added an element of amusement and childlike wonder to the show. Her poise matched eloquently with the lovely Prince Eric, played by Colin Lee. Their chemistry particularly shone in "Kiss the Girl", where their affectionate interactions taunted an audience who longed for their success.
On the opposite side of the ocean dwelled the sea witch, who, played by Marney Shattuck, revealed herself to be inherently evil. Adorned in the deepest of purples, she starred in her iconic performance of "Poor Unfortunate Souls", acting both sympathetic towards the sweet princess Ariel, while somehow embodying an air of indifference to the tragic fates of the lowlier as well. Shattuck's sass and vivacious personality elevated her presence on stage, truly displaying her command of the seas as the rival to King Triton and the mermaids.
Nevertheless, it was the flawless execution of the lights and props team that led this production to achieve the magical underwater look that cloaked the stage. Shifting stage lights lit fluorescent waves to resemble a subaquatic atmosphere, and lights fixtures positioned on the sides of the auditorium were timed perfectly to add extra enhancement to tenser songs or spell castings, all thanks to the work and ingenuity of the lights team (Sofia Spugnardi, Molly Cooper, Kiki Terzi-Rowe, Caitlin Good). The lights prevailed in the critical storm scene, where bright flickering white flares seemed to rock the ship with real lightning and swirling spotlights conveyed the natural disarray of winding up ashore. Next, the props team (Ava Check, Hunter Bombaci, Natalie Gilmore) redefined the impossible by meticulously crafting underwater instruments, human trinkets, and fish puppets from paper mache. Most notable of them all was the statue bust of Prince Eric, customized and molded to resemble none other than the lead actor, Colin Lee. The craftsmanship of the props transformed the stage into a vibrant heart of the ocean.
In the end, Yorktown High School's production of The Little Mermaid delivered a charming and visually stunning show that captured the spirit of the classic fairytale - or perhaps better said, fairytail.
Written by Graham Bickford of Woodson High School
Under the sea may be where the fish are happy, but fish, mermaids, and humans alike are all happy at Yorktown High School's production of The Little Mermaid!
Beginning its life as a Danish folktale, The Little Mermaid was popularized by the loosely-adapted animated movie by Disney in 1989 in which the mermaid princess Ariel risks everything for a chance at love on land with the stunning Prince Eric, trading her beautiful voice for legs to walk on land. 19 years later the tale debuted on Broadway, adapting the timeless story to a staged musical. Its timeless melodies and nostalgic characters have made it a popular choice nationwide for countless high schools.
At the center of this whirlpool of a show was Elizabeth Marshall as Ariel. Her stunning voice richly soared over the audience with gorgeous vibrato. Upon Ariel losing her voice Marshall continued to delight the audience through her slapstick-esque physicality, particularly as she learns to walk and dance in "Positoovity."
Colin Lee as Prince Eric provided the perfect pair to Marshall. Their on-stage chemistry was always clear, particularly in their dance duet "One Step Closer." Together Lee and Marshall created a love story of the ages, one that transcends even the barriers on land and sea.
Lurking in the oceanic abyss is the devious Ursula, portrayed by Marney Shattuck. With a voice as deep and lustrous as the ocean itself Shattuck enthralled onlookers in "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "Daddy's Little Angel." In these songs she balanced the manipulative nature of the sea-witch with the abundant comedy of the character. Flotsam (Sarah Lennox) and Jetsam (Brady Knott), Ursula's twin eels, elevated the humor of Shattuck, shaking the audience with raucous laughter whenever the three graced the stage together.
While the ocean can feel cold and empty, the undersea ensemble kept the stage vibrant. Their consistent presence and energy in numbers like "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl" ensured that the stage always felt alive. Their cohesion as a unit conjured a vivid undersea wonderland, fueling the classic Disney movie vibe of the show.
Of course, the ensemble could only stand out so much with the help of the costuming team. Vivi Parsons, Peyton Olsen, and Josie Hadges specially designed and constructed elaborate fish costumes for each actor. The bright and flamboyant costumes mimicked actual marine animals in an attempt to distort the human shapes of the actors, creating a cacophonic clash of colors hidden with details to delight the eyes.
Pairing with the beautiful costumes was equally stunning hair and makeup (Vivi Parsons, Peyton Olsen, Julia Zalets). Makeup showed a clear artistic vision, highlighting fish-like features establishing relationships between characters. For example, all of the mermaids had scales on their face except Ariel, highlighting her division from the undersea world. Hair consisted of several elaborate wigs, from Ariel's iconic vermilion mane to Flotsam and Jetsam's electric-green mohawks.
Yorktown High School's The Little Mermaid showed the world that love can counter even the most insurmountable odds. Their clear dedication to this time-old classic brought a nostalgic feeling that left any former Disney kid crying happy tears of childhood joy.