Deep romance: 'The Little Mermaid' goes from the screen to the Masquers stage

SOAP LAKE — “Mommy, can I take a picture with Ariel?” asks a little girl after the show. “How about Sebastian the Crab, huh? That guy sure can belt it out,” says a man to his wife after the actors take their final bows. “That guy who played the chef absolutely killed me. I couldn't stop laughing,” remarks a woman to an usher as she exits the theater.

It's pretty safe to assume that Friday night's opening performance of “The Little Mermaid” at Masquers Theater was met well by the large crowd packed into the auditorium. Friday night kicked off the company's opening production of the 2016-2017 season with a story that most have seen, or at least recognize. But most people haven't seen the story quite like this, as “The Little Mermaid” first made its way onto the Broadway stage in 2007 and was revived a couple of years later. The rights for the play to be performed in community theater were released last year.

The process for the play to come to the Masquers stage was different this year from years in the past.

“Usually we have directors who pitch shows. But this was one we have been talking about for around a year and the theater selected it,” explained show director, and King Triton in the Masquers play, Clifford Bresee.

The play, which is based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, follows the same general plot line that most are accustom to. The story revolves around Ariel, portrayed by Quincy high schooler Paige Lubach, who wants to know about that world above the surface, much to the dismay of her father King Triton (Clifford Bresee).

The king bestows the tremendous task of keeping an eye on his daughter on Sebastian the Crab (Andrew Covarrubias), but when Prince Eric (Jeff Ames) washes ashore after a storm, Prince Eric and Ariel are finally introduced.

After Ariel saves his life, Prince Eric sets out to find this mysterious woman who saved him, but much to his dismay she is gone. Ariel later strikes a deal with Ursula (Rachel Bresee) that gives her legs in exchange for her beautiful voice.

Ariel and Eric are later reunited, with plenty of high jinks along the way, and all is well under the surface, as well as above. From songs that get stuck in your head like “Under the Sea”, “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World,” to a talented cast, audience members appreciated the tremendous amount of work that went into the production.

“We've been rehearsing for about three months or so. Really, honestly coming up with a cast in Grant County in this area, it's really difficult when you are doing a large full-scale musical like this,” Bresee stated. “It's definitely one of the largest productions we have done. We have done some other large musicals and it is always a challenge to get a cast. We were fortunate to get a lot of talent from all over the county. A lot of interest in this play.”

Bresee isn't one to single out performers from the large cast, because they are all stars in his estimation, but he said he was especially proud and impressed with Lubach's portrayal of Ariel.

“She didn't just play Ariel. She is Ariel. She just is Ariel,” Bresee remarked.

There are still plenty of opportunities to see the play, as additional performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and 11. Weekend performances start at 2 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30, Nov. 5 and 6 and Nov. 12. Tickets can be purchased for $18 a person at www.masquers.com or by calling 509-246-2611.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.