In commemoration of Area Stage’s 35th Anniversary, the critically acclaimed company in a new partnership with Loxen Productions, is proud to announce the 90-minute immersive theatrical experience of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Audiences will step into a mystical seaside tavern where sailors and pirates share myths of mermaids and adventure in a brand new space carved out of an empty warehouse at Sunset Place Mall in South Miami designed by Frank J Oliva under the creative
vision of director Giancarlo Rodaz. The experience will begin July 11th for preview with the opening night on July 13th at 7pm.
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved tales and the classic animated film, Disney’s
The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages, with music by eight-time Academy
Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug
Wright. After a successful sold-out run at the Arsht Center last summer, award-winning Director and
Creative Giancarlo Rodaz returns to direct with his creative team. Area Stage will indulge local audiences
with this unforgettable immersive experience. A Miami native, Giancarlo grew up in the theatre,
working in all areas of production. As Miami New Times Best Director ‘23, Giancarlo has made
substantial contributions to the artistic identity of the South Florida cultural landscape.
Area Stage and Loxen are extremely proud of the cast of actors, a mix of diverse, young talent from all
around the country. It merits to mention that Jonathan Chisolm, a nonbinary actor, will be playing the
role of Ursula and Delaney Benson will play the role of the Little Mermaid. Delaney is the daughter of
Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in Disney’s 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid.
In 2023, this production was nominated for the Carbonell Award for Best Musical and Best Set Design.
Frank J Oliva won the Carbonell Award for Best Set Design and is coming back to Miami to re-design the
stage for this new experience.
To celebrate the momentous occasion, Area Stage is hosting ‘An Evening Under The Sea,’ the
35th-anniversary gala of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, taking place on July 13th, 2024. Join Area Stage to
commemorate 35 years of theater excellence in the Miami arts community.
To learn more visit areastage.org/mermaid.
ABOUT AREA STAGE
Area Stage is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by John and Maria Rodaz on principles of artistic
innovation, education and inclusion. Throughout its 35-year history, this nationally recognized and
critically-acclaimed organization has striven to bring extraordinary theatrical experiences to members of
the community, consequently becoming one of South Florida’s most influential cultural institutions. In
addition to its award-winning mainstage productions, Area Stage houses a world-class Conservatory,
which provides professional training to hundreds of young aspiring artists each year, as well as the
Inclusion Theatre Project, a program that offers similar opportunities to participants with intellectual and
developmental disabilities. Area Stage celebrates 35 years of artistic excellence this year with the return
of the sold-out immersive production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid this Summer.
ABOUT LOXEN
Loxen Productions, LLC was founded in 2019 by Benjamin Leon IV with the mission of providing artistic
opportunities to the remarkable talent, both artistic and technical, living and working in South Florida,
fostering their growth, as well as the growth of the entire arts community in our area. During the
company’s first five years, its productions of In the Heights, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th
Annual Putnam Spelling Bee and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein have received high praise from critics
and audiences alike for their artistic excellence. The company has presented its shows at a variety of
venues such as the Ziff Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown
Miami, Florida International University, Miramar Cultural Center and the historic ARTime Theater in
Southwest Miami and looks forward to this new partnership with Area Stage.
CREATIVE TEAM
Frank J Oliva (Set Design), Joe Naftal (Lighting Design), Maria Banda-Rodaz and Sofia Ortega (Costume
Design), Irma Becker (Choreography), Luciano Cortes and Lauren Gaspard (Movement Directors), Erik
Sanko and Jessica Grindstaff, Phantom Limb (Puppets), Katie Duerr (Associate Music Director), Michael
Day (Musical Director), Giancarlo Rodaz (Creative Vision and Director).
CAST
Delaney Benson (Ariel), Henry Thrasher (Prince Eric), Imran Hylton (Sebastian), Amanda Harris
(Flounder), Jonathan Chisolm (Ursula), Tico Chiriboga (Flotsam), Luke Surretsky (Jetsam, Grimsby), John
Mazuelos (King Triton, Chef Louis, Pilot), Laura Plyler (Scuttle, Andrina), Greta Hicks (Aquata, Carlotta),
Matisse Carmack (Arista, u/s Ariel), Donesha Rose (Atina), Lauren Horgan (Adella), Katie Duerr (Allana).
Ensemble: Ava Bean, Nicole Becker, Carlos Bravo, David Velasco.
