‘THE LITTLE MERMAID’ IMMERSIVE THEATER PRODUCTION STILL UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE IN SOUTH MIAMI HOME IN 35 YEAR CELEBRATION

In 2023, Area Stage Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz became the youngest director ever to win the Carbonell Award (at age 26) as the youngest director with “Beauty and the Beast” and created another immersive theatrical experience with his production of  the Disney musical “The Little Mermaid”, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami which was highly praised by audiences and critics alike.

Almost a year later, Rodaz is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the founding of Area Stage by his parents John and Maria Rodaz by producing a shorter, one act 90 minute version of “The Little Mermaid”, running now through August 11 at the Shops of Sunset Place in South Miami in partnership with Loxen Productions.

Rodaz may have cut out some scenes and songs from the 2023 two act version of the musical, but he created a more immersive experience for the audience in his new production of the musical.

“What is different about the current production is that we have what used to be an empty warehourse that is so much larger than the Carnival Studio Theater at the Arsht Center to create the immersive experience for audiences and a larger budget and flexibility thanks to our collaborating with Benjamin Leon of Loxen Productions,” said Rodaz.

The tradeoff of a shorter musical for a more immersive audience experience appears to have worked judging by the enthusiasm of the opening night audience.

Rodaz and his many collaborators recreated the Sunset Place empty warehouse into a seaport tavern, with the actors scattered in this environment, singing and dancing on table tops with the audience seated on benches, providing everyone with the feeling that they are part of the underwater and on top of the water sea experience from the moment they are seated on the stage.

Theater designer Frank Olivia created a central grotto ship, a crow’s nest, a watch tower, and many staircases to complement the energetic cast, who all not only have to sing, portray their characters, but also to interact with the audience.

While being seated in the sea tavern by the 19 actors in character, the story develops with “The Little Mermaid” Ariel (played by Delaney Benson, the daughter of actress Jodi Benson, who played Ariel in the original film version of “The Little Mermaid”) exploring the human world above the sea, much to the displeasure of her father, King Triton (John Mazuelos), whose wife was killed by a sailor in the human world.

Ariel meets the enchanting Prince Eric (Henry Thrasher) when she saves Eric’s life when he falls overboard from his ship. Ariel’s attraction to the prince leads to her love for Eric, but she must become a human to be in his world.

The sea witch Ursula (Jonathan Chisolm) makes a bargain with Ariel to trade her fins for human legs in exchange for Ariel losing her voice and becoming mute.

Prince Eric becomes enchanted with the deaf mute Ariel and plans to forsake other women suitors to marry Ariel. The story reaches a climax and an eventual dramatic conclusion once Eric learns about Ariel’s origins.

The actors are veterans of Area Stage’s conservatory program and were enchanting. An audience member would never know when and where an actor would break into song  (including scenes on top of a table or by a person’s seat) or involve the audience in many of the production numbers in “The Little Mermaid”.

For example, the most well-known song in the musical “Under The Sea” had members of the audience joining the cast in a jubilant dance around the sea tavern.

Another highlight had Ariel, Eric, King Triton and Arie’s guide to the human world, Sebastian (a sea crab) sing in four part harmony “If Only” in four different areas of the sea tavern.

Each of the 19 actors have to be commended for drawing the audience in due to their performances.  Benson especially shines in her soprano singing of   “Part of Your World”. Along with her red hair and enthusiasm, Benson conveys both the playfulness and assertiveness needed to combat both King Triton and Ursula.

Thrasher was impressive in his singing, especially in the song “Her Voice”, emphasizing his wish to be with Ariel for the rest of his life. Chisolm, a trans femme nonbinary performer playing the female villain, was convincing in their role, sporting a feminine look with a purple dress, white hair and smooth dancing, their voice was commanding, especially in the solo number “Poor Unfortnate Souls”.

It is the impressive vision of Giancarlo Rodaz that stands out for the audience when the show ends. His trademark immersive theatrical experience makes “The Little Mermaid” seen more like an attraction that can only be seen at Walt Disney World or Universal Studios in Orlando.

For those who took part in the 35th anniversary of Area Stage on opening night of “The Little Mermaid”, guests were treated to extraordinary seafood and other culinary delights in a cocktail reception prior to the performance and followed by a full dinner and dancing with cast members following the performance.

Along with the magic of Rodaz’s imagination, his reputation for excellence attracted the majority of the 2023 cast to sign on again for the 2024 production. Adding to the talents of the actors were the outstanding offstage talent, including set designer Frank Oliva, costume designers Maria Banda-Rodaz and Sofia Ortega, choreographer Irma Becker, among 30 more staff, all who worked together to create the current production of “The Little Mermaid.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Area Stage Company in association with Loxen Productions presents the Disney musical “The Little Mermaid” now through August 11 at The Shops of Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Drive in South Miami.Performances are on Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. with additional matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $45- $105. For more information and tickets, go to areastage.org.org or call 305-666-2078..