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PicksInSix Review: Disney's The Little Mermaid - Drury Lane Theatre

 
 

This ‘Little Mermaid’ Has Got Legs!
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy

Sparkling performances that shimmer from head to tail highlight director Scott Weinstein’s delightfully bewitching and hugely entertaining revival of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” that opened Thursday at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. The royal love story—with Alan Menken score, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright—is anchored by the stunning presence of Sarah Kay as Ariel and her stalwart Prince Eric played by Patrick Johnson. The timeless classic is a heartwarming fantasy adventure in a world that includes whimsical puppets, gorgeous costumes and magical special effects that will take your breath away.

That love story begins when Ariel, who has yearned for a new part of the world, away from the isolation of the underwater kingdom ruled by her father, King Triton (Anand Nagraj) and from her siblings, the Mersisters, saves Prince Eric from drowning. Fleeing from her father’s rage when he discovers what she has done, Ariel is lured into a pact with her evil aunt Ursula (Sawyer Smith) to trade her enchanting voice for the opportunity to explore the world in human form. But it all comes with a heavy price of Disney-style drama.

Ariel’s glistening underwater world is the work of scenic designer Tijana Bjelajac who crafts rock formations and massive stone laid columns together with sheer fabric all highlighted by Anthony Churchill’s projections and Ryan O’Gara’s lighting to simulate the mystical ocean depths and the stately kingdom that bursts with the color and rich texture of the costume design by Ryan Park and Zhang Yu. Those finely-feathered and floppy-finned friends in Ariel’s oceanic sphere—the creative artistry of Chicago Puppet Studio—come to glorious life in Kasey Alfonso’s superbly choreographed ensemble sequences. Music director Ellie Kahn brings out the brilliance in the iconic Menken/Ashman/Slater score performed in fine form by the Drury Lane Orchestra under the direction of Chris Sargent.

Michael Earvin Martin is terrific as the crab companion Sebastian, leading the company in the crowd pleasing “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.” Maya Lou Hlava’s Flounder, with the array of Sea Creatures, Gulls and Animals, are sure to make you smile. Landree Fleming shines as Scuttle in the playful “Positoovity|Positaggity” and you’ll love the zany antics of Matt Edmonds as the kooky French Chef Louis in “Les Poissons” along with the wonderful, and often hilariously understated, work of Rob Lindley as Grimsby, the Prince’s dutiful Guardian.

Few Disney villains compare in sinister scope to the sea-witch Ursula and Smith’s commanding presence in the role as the cunning sorcerous, with a couple of slippery eel sidekicks like Ryan Michael Hamman (Jetsam) and Leah Morrow (Flotsam) in tow, is magnificent. The trio are chilling in “Daddy’s Little Angel” and Smith brings the house down in a dazzling performance of “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”

It’s a night of fun filled comic chaos that keeps bubbling up with Kay’s marvelous, multi-layered performance at the heart of the show. Her exuberance, youthful charm and soaring vocal talents make Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” at Drury Lane a joy to watch and a destination for the holiday season and New Year.   

PHOTO|Brett Beiner

Drury Lane Theatre
presents
Disney’s
The Little Mermaid
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace
through January 12, 2024

WEBSITE

TICKETS

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

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PicksInSix® is a registered trademark of Roxbury Road Creative, LLC

PicksInSix Review: Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas

 
 

Delightful Holiday Treat for All Ages!
PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor | Kaitlyn Linsner

The stars of this show—Ma, Emmet Otter and a darling group of critters—have been warming the hearts of many for over fifty years. They first appeared in an illustrated 1971 children’s book by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban. Jim Henson then brought the book to life in a one-hour 1977 television special featuring puppets from his Creature Shop and a delightful score from Academy Award-winning songwriter Paul Williams. Folks fell in love, and now, old fans, and anyone looking for 75 minutes of sheer joy, can visit the Studebaker Theatre for the charming holiday celebration that is the live theatrical adaptation of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” with music and lyrics by Williams, book by Timothy Allen McDonald and Christopher Gattelli, who directs and choreographs.

This is the Chicago premiere of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” and should not be missed when planning this year’s holiday festivities. The story follows Ma and Emmet Otter who so badly want to buy each other the perfect Christmas gift. Ma (Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone) wants to buy Emmet (Andy Mientus) a guitar, and he wants to buy Ma a piano. You see, these two come from a family enriched with musical talents and traditions—Ma with her lovely singing voice, and Emmet with his own set of pipes and a mean rhythmic streak on the washboard bass. Problem is, they don’t have enough money to buy these special gifts for each other. So, when the mayor of nearby Waterville announces the town will be having its first annual talent show, Ma and Emmet decide to take their chances at entering and vying for that first-place prize of fifty dollars.

Turns out Ma and Emmet Otter are up against some stiff competition. Toward the end of the production, the audience becomes the patrons of the inaugural talent show and get to see humans and puppets alike showcase their talents. The magnificent Madame Squirrel (Sawyer Smith) delights in a performance with acrobatic squirrels. Mrs. Mink (Sharriese Hamilton) heats up the stage with a wildly entertaining burlesque performance, and we cannot forget a skunk on a tuba and tap-dancing rabbits.

At the core of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” is true enchantment. Each scene bursts with charm, clever humor and whimsical visuals. Take, for example, the costumes by Gregg Barnes and the makeup by Megan E. Pirtle. The costumes, like Madame Squirrel’s playfully large tail and Wendell Porcupine’s quills (Steven Huyhn), and the makeup both do well to transform the cast into their cute furry characters on Anna Louizos whimiscal set.

The puppetry, though, is what takes this family-friendly musical to the next level of creative, good fun. There are many laughs to be had when a band of squirrels tries to grow an evergreen tree in the winter by blowing hot air on it. There are also big feelings to be felt when puppet Pa Otter, deceased, appears to tell Ma to never stop dreaming and when that same band of squirrels advises Emmet to follow his heart and take flight. The opening-night audience audibly reacted in wonder when the puppet jug band practiced in a tree house, which looked exactly like the scene in the television special. The Jim Henson way of blending both worlds together worked seamlessly on stage and truly elevates the production.

Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas with music and lyrics by Paul Williams, book by Timothy Allen McDonald and Christopher Gattelli, directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Now playing at Studebaker Theatre through December 31, 2023.

Of course, there are also plenty of themes and lessons that make “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” a true holiday classic. Ma and Emmet Otter show us how to heal together after experiencing loss. We see bravery and growth in characters learning to trust themselves and each other when facing challenges. We also get to experience a show filled with so much love, which, in and of itself, is enough of a reason to join everyone in Frogtown Hollow and Waterville this season.

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR | KAITLYN LINSNER is a Chicago-based attorney practicing construction and surety law.

PHOTO|Michael Brosilow

ITheatrics with Broadway & Beyond Theatricals,
in association with the Jim Henson Company
presents
Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
Music and Lyrics by Paul Williams
Book by Timothy Allen McDonald and Christopher Gattelli
Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli

Studebaker Theatre
Fine Arts Building
through December 31, 2023


WEBSITE
TICKETS

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

ARCHIVE

PicksInSix® is a registered trademark of Roxbury Road Creative, LLC

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Roxbury Road Creative, LLC

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