Theater Review: 'Disney's The Little Mermaid' by Oxford High Drama

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

I was invited to attend the opening night of Oxford High School Drama’s “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” I enjoyed going “Under the Sea” with the students for their spring musical and loved seeing them perform in their spectacular costumes on the large stage at Oxford High.

The music for “Little Mermaid’ was written by the talented Alan Menken, with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. The book was written by Doug Wright, based on the Hans Christian Anderson story and the Disney film.

In March of 2020, the Drama students were weeks away from opening their production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” when the COVID 19 pandemic shut down the production. Therefore, in the printed program, the cast and crew of OHS Little Mermaid 2024 dedicate this performance to the OHS cast and crew 2020.

The cast includes some talented high school students that are directed and music directed by Emily Marquardt, with Jennifer Crooks serving as the show’s producer.

The director calls “Little Mermaid” a “timeless Disney classic that transcends age. It’s full of some of my favorite songs that are magical, silly, and poignant. It addressed important lessons about chasing your dreams, love, friendship, belonging, expectations, and positivity.”

Ariel is brought to lovely life with the lovely soprano voice of Oxford sophomore Jenna Piechota. The actress has performed in ten musicals since her first one in the fourth grade and recently played the title role in “Matilda, Jr.” Thamar Alcindor shines brightly in the role of Sebastian the Crab, complete with the appropriate Carribean accent, in her inaugural musical at her high school.

Isaac Motes, who recently performed in Center Stage Theatre’s memorable “Catch Me If You Can,” is a fine actor in the role of Prince Eric, as is Dylan Roth as Grimsby.

The six Mersisters are played by some graceful dancers/singers. Dharaben H. Patel plays Aquata, Julianna Fabry plays Adrina, Emily Fitzpatrick is Arista, senior Giaben Patel is Atina in her first high school musical, Adriana Meyers (in her fifth show) as Adella and Emmeline Forsberg, in her 12 show, in the role of Allana.

Hannah Brunje, who was awarded a Halo Award for her role in “Almost, Maine,” is a delight in the role of the fish Flounder. Freshman Ryan Piechota is a riot in his delightful performance as the bumbling seagull Scuttle (“Positoovity” and “Positaggity.”) The actor, who has been in ten musicals since his first in the fifth grade, also plays one of the chefs in “Les Poissons.” Adam Hess does double duty playing Ariel’s father King Triton and a chef in his first musical.

The role of Ursula is shared by Daia Jade Johnson, a senior at Oxford High and the theater department at the Educational Center for the Arts, and Emma O’Gorman. O’Gorman, who played Brooke Wyndam in “Legally Blonde,” did very well with the role on opening night with this delicious role. Rest assured that the evil Ursula is well-portrayed.

Ursula is assisted by Oxford seniors Arianna Sanders and Jenna Senatore (Roz in “9 to 5”) as her eel “hench fish” Flotsam and Jetsam respectively in light-up green and black costumes. Tyler Rainho also does double duty as Chef Louis and the ship’s pilot in his third musical production at the high school. J Palarino is credited as Windward-Leeward, a sailor and a chef.

Maids are played by Julianna Fabry, Emily Fitzpatrick (Blue Fairy Mama in “No Strings Attached,”) Alayna Platosz and the off-night Ursula. Princess are sung (purposely badly) by Emmeline Forsberg, Adriana Meyers, Dhara Patel and Gial Patel. Sea creatures are brought to life by Sydney Billings, Hailey Cardona, Jenna Halbert, Madelyn Koutikas, Alayna Platosz and Milagros Teves. Sailors are Kal Mahmood and sophomore Ky’Nai Teves. Tapping gulls, yes, tap dancing gulls, are danced by Sydney Billings, Hailey Cardona, Alayna Platosz and Jenna Halbert.

And the tiniest member of the cast is first grade student Cora Collins, who blows bubbles for her cameo in “Under The Sea” as a blowfish. Miss Cora attends Quaker Farms School and cheers with Oxford Pop Warner. This little dancer attends rehearsal alongside her mom and is participating in her first musical.

The sound design was very uneven, making it difficult to fully enjoy the opening night performance. The musicians were overloud, but I found it very difficult to make out lines and lyrics far too often.

However, I am going to gush about the look of the stage. The costumes designed by Darlene Fitzpatrick and Mandy Hess are both impressive and well-constructed. So many of the characters are decked out in sparkly pieces that we feel that we are truly under the sea. Ursula’s costume and wig are a work of art and the mersister ensembles have personal touches that work so well together.

Sebastian the Crab looks amazing and Flounder and Scuttle are adorable. There are beautiful gowns for the ladies and the ensemble members get to wear sparkly ensembles that suggest undersea creatures and move beautifully. Dancers move as the waves that overtake Prince Eric dressed in deep blue.

The set design by Pam Aldrich and Bethany Campbell is ingenious at times and reaches beyond the edges of the stage with undersea elements. Choreography by Kristen Collins is lyrical and lovely. Lighting is well executed.

The professional musicians delightfully covered the wonderful score. In the pit are Conductor Aron Smith on Keyboard 1, Joel Pietrorazio on bass, Jacob Zonderman on drums, Kate Seversky on horn, (my) Clio Janis on Keyboard 2, Sarah Riccio on Keyboard 3, Marc Sokolson on Keyboard 4 (Strings,) Alex Casimiro on percussion, Rick Sadlon on Reed 1, Phil Plott on Reed 2, Gary Ruggeiro on Reed 3 and retired WAMS principal Leo Lavalle on Trumpet.

Shout out to the stage crew who efficiently move the sets in and out and Izzy Marjanovic for managing the great props made by Gabriel Koosa. Becca Miller, Sophia Petronis and Sarah Brunje are credited as associate producers. Kudos to the students and the adults who work with them.

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” is presented with one intermission. Remaining performances are scheduled for Apr. 27 at 2 p.m and 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee on Apr. 28 at 2 p.m at Oxford High School.