Dallas Moms Blog has partnered with Dallas Summer Musical’s to review Disney’s The Little Mermaid for our audience. All opinions are 100% our own.
My kids already knew much of the story of The Little Mermaid because I serenade them with “Part of Your World” before they go to sleep on a consistent basis. It’s an interesting choice for a lullaby, made somewhat less interesting to them because I was a theatre major so my song choices always trend toward eclectic (read: showtunes on the regular). So when I scored some free tickets to write a review, my kids fought over who got to be my date. I ended an eager costumed princess and her BFF, both of whom still need carseats. They were ecstatic, and I was excited to see their response to a more elaborate show (we see a lot of local/high school theatre with our kids). We practiced the songs on the way to Fair Park:
While I can appreciate a Disney-based show, it takes quite a bit to overwhelm me. I anticipated quite a bit of cheese: just the right amount to delight a pair of 5 year olds. So imagine my surprise when the characters dazzled!
The spectacle (visual impact) was beyond outrageous. The colors, the costumes (look for the ensemble bathing Ariel while dressed in skirts that look like loofahs!), and the lights were a shock to the senses in the best possible way. While driving to the show, my daughter asked how they could make it look like characters were swimming when they were onstage. The way Director Glen Casale and his designers answered this question was more convincing than anything I could have imagined: a fly system for sea creatures, shimmering sets and glass ocean bubbles, LED lights, and the creative use of wheels all contributed to feeling like we were “under the sea.”
Ariel, Sebastian, Ursula, Triton, and human Prince Eric were all well cast by Julia Flores. The standard favorite songs like “Part of Your World” were crowd-pleasers, and some new songs (written by Oscar-winning Disney composer Alan Menken) held some surprises as well. The book by Dallas-native Doug Wright was also on point — I loved chuckling at the lines written for Scuttle, the confused lexicon “expert.” The seagull’s tap number in the second act delighted the crowds, as did “Kiss the Girls”. But the scene that stole the show for me was “Les Poissons,” sung by Jeff Skowron as the bouncy round sadist Chef Louis. Skowron was just the right amount crazy, and the character he built made the music come alive.
So the show was great — go with your hubs if you want, and you won’t be let down. But there are aspects of the show that parents need to know about that make it an ideal performance on which to initiate young theatre-goers . . .
5 Reasons Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the DSM is the Most Kid-Friendly Musical Experience Ever!
The Lobby entertainment:: Bubble machines, costumed mermaids for photo opps, and other sea-themed decor dazzled my duo before the show and during intermission.
The booster seats:: I have never seen these before but for $3/seat my gals could sit without bouncing, and see without complaining. Best $6 I have ever spent!
Valet parking:: They will give your valet ticket a special mark if you are attending with kids (though you may have to ask), helping them fetch your car faster at the end of the show.
Lobby show projection for scary parts:: Ursula was awesome, and legitimately scary, which is to actress Tracy Lore’s credit. For one of my littles who is prone to nightmares, being able to go to the lobby and still watch her “Poor Unfortunate Souls” number was a win-win.
There were some interesting themes worth discussing with the girls afterwards. Triton asked Ariel to be a good steward of her voice — did she do that? Is it true that “the secret of happiness is that we “mustn’t wish for impossible things” ?? When did you see a character make a mistake/receive consequences/receive grace? etc. etc.
Overall, this is not just a show to bring your young theatre-lovers to; it’s one the whole family can enjoy!
Get tickets now, while you still can. Score tickets for the Dallas engagement of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at DallasSummerMusicals.org, by phone at 1.800.514.ETIX (3849) or at The Box Office (5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542) in Dallas, TX.
You won’t regret it!
Disclosure: Dallas Moms Blog received complimentary tickets in order to provide this review. All opinions are 100% our writer’s own!
Excellent review! My 4 yr old must go nuts if she knows I’m going to take her to this The Little Mermaid musical. She is an ecstatic fan of Ariel. One question where did you score free tickets?