Theater Review: 'Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr." by Landmark

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Landmark Community Theatre Youth Theatre Productions is presenting “Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.” at the Thomaston Opera House this weekend only. The closing performance is tonight at 7:00 p.m.

The junior version of the musical based on the beloved Disney film has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, with a book by Doug Wright. The music is adapted and arranged by David Weinstein.

The young performers are directed by Andrea Bingham with Kerri Morris as their music director. Shelby Griffin taught the dancers their adorable choreography, especially cute in “Human Stuff” and “She’s In Love.” Costume design by Jack Richards is also adorable, with age-appropriate outfits for the mermaids. Everything is colorful and well-fitting, with clever designs to suggest the undersea creatures.

The talented Mia McConnan, who I shared the stage with in Newbury’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” leads the cast in the coveted role of Little Mermaid, Ariel. She sings wonderfully and captures the longing of her character.

Shannon Filon is a delightful and funny Sebastian the crab in one of the best costumes on the stage. Riese Jakum does really well with the role of the fish Flounder, sporting a clever hairdo for her character.

Silas Caporuscio nails the comedy in the role of the seagull Scuttle, showing great stage presence in a gray fur jacket.

Keep your eye on Camila Reyes, who plays the evil sea witch Ursula (“Poor Unfortunate Souls”) in a great black and purple wig, no less. She slays the role with an evil laugh and great chemistry with her eels and her family members.

Sebastian “Sebby” Guibert plays the handsome Prince Eric and Jackson Magyar commands the role of Ariel’s father, King Triton.

Mia Perugini and Lyla Tortora slither about in their roles as the eels Flotsam and Jetsam, respectively. Madison Schomburg is convincing as Grimsby. Ariel Arral covers the role of Carlotta and a sea creature. Teagan Guertin wielded the knife in the role of Chef Louis, also playing a sailor and sea creature.

Kudos to the lovely actresses that played the Mersisters, gulls and the princesses. They include Eloise Clemente, Emily Mazzarella, Kloe Aldrich, Olivia Hernandez, Sadie Pustola and Sophie Parente. The young ladies that played the mersisters and the gulls had one very impressive quick change.

Isabella Cadogan stepped up to play the ship pilot and Walker Lee played the seahorse.

The well-rehearsed members of the ensembles played chefs, sailors, sea creatures, princesses and the all-important Sea Chorus.

The show is presented with one intermission.