Greatness On Stage At The Candlelight
Reviewed by Tom Jones
July 10, 2023
An overabundance of rain put a damper on many people this late spring and early summer. Any such unhappiness was swept away in just one evening, however, when “The Little Mermaid” reminded us how delightful life can be under the sea. And above it!
Magicians appear to be in great supply in Northern Colorado this year as the entire “Mermaid” production is a magical delight. Director, cast, orchestra, technicians all spell “Talent” these days at Candlelight. Matthew Dailey wowed audiences a few months ago singing and dancing as Don Lockwood in “Singin’ in the Rain.” This time he is not seen, but his brilliant skills are obvious, as director of “The Little Mermaid.”
Amazingly, Dailey’s talent is not the only brilliance involved with his show. It is rare to have an entire group of leading and supporting performers that are so strong. From the time the audience arrives in the foyer of the theater to be greeted by colorful reminders of life “Under the Sea” to the final standing ovation they are beguiled by magic in a variety of forms!
Susanna Cathryn Ballenski and Jack Wardell head the cast. Ballenksi is the beautiful mermaid, living under the sea, but interested by the “humans” she has seen on her visits to the shore. Wardell is the handsome, human, Prince Eric. He is onboard a ship when cast into the sea in a violent storm. Under the water Ariel finds him and takes him to the surface to survive. Ballenksi and Wardell are flawless. They are beautiful, handsome, excellent performers.
Equally excellent, however, are the performers in supporting roles. Stars on their own. Scott Hurst Jr. portrays King Triton, ruler of Atlantica. He is Ariel’s loving, but overly-strict father. He has an enormous dislike for humans, due to the accidental death of his wife several years prior. Hurst brings enchantment to any role. I am looking forward to the day when he makes an album which includes his “There But For You Go I” from Candlelight’s “Brigadoon” production.
Ethan Knowles provides super comic relief as Ariel’s seagull friend, Scuttle. Jack Olson, a newcomer to Candlelight, is impressive as Flounder, Ariel’s best underwater friend. Ghandia Johnson is a wow as Sebastian, Ariel’s practical guardian. She nearly steals the show with her great enthusiasm and talent. Kelly Maur is the wicked Ursula, sister of King Triton, and evidently Ariel’s Aunt. Maur’s Ursula is a squid with tentacles in abundance. And she is a meany – claiming if Ariel gives her voice to her, she will make Ariel human. Nathan Petit and Chas Lederer are Flotsam and Jetsam, two of Ursula’s slippery henchmen.
Stephen Charles Turner is in great form as Chef Louis who provides Ariel with her first out-of-the-water meal, unfortunately choosing a menu of fish! Brian Adams is believable as Grimsby, faithful servant to Prince Eric.
Put them all on stage together – they amaze!
The Candlelight production is a stage musical based on the animated 1989 Disney film. This Hans Christian Andersen’s story is about a mermaid who has such love of creatures above the water that she is willing to give up her beautiful voice to become “human.” The show’s pre-Broadway tryout was in Denver in 2007 with six weeks of sold-out performances. Nearly 100,000 theatergoers saw that production. I was among them. I liked the show, but was not as impressed as I am with the current local wonder. The Denver tryout-show moved to Broadway officially open in 2008 where it ran for 685 performances. It has enjoyed several productions worldwide.
The current Mermaid, under direction of Matthew Dailey, provides great beauty. The gorgeous choreography is by Kate Vallee who also serves as Artistic Director. The excellent orchestra is under direction of Jerimiah Otto. Brian Watson’s under-water set transitions smoothly to the above-sea scenes. Debra Faber and Peter West provide the enchanting consumes.
Music is by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. A few of the songs are delightfully familiar – “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,’ and “Under the Sea.” Not so well known is “If Only” a heartwarming charmer featuring Ariel, Eric, Sebastian, and Triton late in Act Two.
Will Ariel get her voice back? Will Prince Eric ever kiss the girl? What does life “under the sea” look like? Don’t hesitate to be amazed. Head to Candlelight for tickets before they are gone.
“The Little Mermaid”
Through September 10, 2023
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
4747 Marketplace Drive
Johnstown,, CO 80534
Box Office 970/744-3747
Online: www.coloradocandlelight.com