'Disney's The Little Mermaid' at Western School - My Review

Cast photo by Teresa Sagendorf Branco

The Western School Theatre Club decided to go “Under the Sea” for their annual spring musical. Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. is based upon the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film with the emphasis on the latter. The book is by Doug Wright and the music is by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater adapted and arranged by David Weinstein.

Western Principal Brenda Goodrich came out in her mersister costume to welcome everyone to the Friday night performance for which I had an excellent VIP seat. Also in the audience was Naugatuck Board of Education member James Scully and his wife Rosalie, recent Future Chef contestant Leah Quijano and her family and the family of Tyler Suarez, a student at Naugatuck High School, who served the students well as Sound Technician.

Mrs. Goodrich reminded us of the usual things and noted that the kids have worked so hard throughout the winter to put on this production, with the help of many dedicated staff members. Cross Street Intermediate School music teacher and Western School parent Cathy Lungarini directed the students and Ginny Doxsey once again led the young people in the choreography. School Counselor Holly DaSilva is credited as Theatrical Supervisor. Other teachers were on hand to help out behind the scenes. Congratulations to all of these adults that worked hard with these talented young actors and singers.

The music is perhaps the best part of the junior version of the show and the third and fourth grade Western School students sing it with gusto. The Boys Chorus sang well on “Fathoms Below” and the Girls Chorus was just as good in “Daughter of Triton.” The groups blended well to help out with “Les Poissons,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World (Reprise)“ and they looked amazing in their colorful costumes by Stephanie Colella. Lighted headdresses suggested undersea creatures and all chorus member sported colorful t-shirts marked with fish scales. Check out the costumes in the photo above. Audience members in the back of the room may not have been to see the chorus when they stood in lines in front of the stage, but they could certainly hear them.

The time that these young actors had put in definitely paid off. Lauren Umland was a strong actress in the role of Ariel the mermaid. Joseph Cervone was a charming Prince Eric and Jack Healy played the prince’s faithful servant Grimsby. Aidan Lyons was the very long haired King Triton and Riley Daigle was the funny Chef Louis.

Ciana Chirkout was the caring servant Carlotta and Madison Keller and Emily Fine made the most of their roles as the princesses. The mersisters were well played by Illiana Couvertier, Emily Fine, Sophia DeFilippo, Sydney Hunt, Mackenzie Skirkanich and the plucky Mrs. Goodrich. Ursula’s slithery hencheels were played by Taya Beazer and Bella Rafala.

Strong performances were delivered by Samuel Abate as an adorable Flounder and Sarah Wolfenden as the clueless and very funny penguin Scuttle. Emily Lungarini was the evil Ursula and she sang well enough to make a music teacher proud. Ms. Lungarini’s father Glenn was on hand to help out backstage. Janelle Escalante almost stole the show in the role of Sebastian the overworked crab; this young lady rocked her all-red outfit, nailed her accent and sang with conviction. Kudos to all.

The school auditorium stage was decorated in simple underwater accents and lit nicely by Sarah Lefebvre. White smoke preceded the entrance of the villain Ursula and Stage Manager and Grade 4 teacher Cathy Piscitelli reversed scenery pieces and helped students with their entrances.

The final performance of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. is today at 7:00pm in the Western School Auditorium.