Tyler Civic Theatre goes under the sea for the Disney musical

Published 1:30 pm Thursday, July 28, 2016

LURAE STOKES, Special Contributor

The ocean is coming to Tyler as Tyler Civic Theatre stages “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” as its summer musical.

Director Stephen Rainwater said the show is a full Broadway-style production and contains musical numbers that were in the animated movie version as well as others that are only in the 2008 play version.

To bring the unique underwater experience to life, Rainwater said the cast and crew left no stone unturned.

The production features quality props, music from a band in the theater, extravagant costumes and professional-quality performances, he said.

The challenges they had to overcome included turning the stage into a moving ocean and a seaside beach. The task called for building and working with large moving props and making intricate costumes.

The musical tells the story of Ariel the mermaid who longs live in the world above. After defying her father, King Triton, and striking a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, she finds herself with no voice and in a series of crazy situations.

She must find a way to convince Prince Eric, her love interest, that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice that once saved him.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and also Aug. 4-8 and 11-14 at the theater, 400 Rose Park Drive. Tickets can be purchased online at tylercivictheatre.com or at the box office.

Even though “Mermaid” is kid appropriate “don’t let it fool you, there is a lot of depth,” Rainwater said.

Rachael Cilliers plays the beautiful mermaid Ariel.

It is “one of the most demanding roles I’ve ever played,” she said. … “At the end of the day, I needed to find my own way to relate to Ariel.”

She said that as a young woman who left her home town in search for new adventure and opportunities, she is sympathetic to Ariel’s feelings of wanting to be independent.

Cilliers said her relationship with her own father is similar to that of King Triton and Ariel.

“I know he (father) loves me and wants the best for me, but I can be stubborn,” she said.

As a father, Jonathan Davidson said he relates to his role of King Triton, who is facing the difficult challenge of watching his daughter grow up and letting her go.

The play has parenting moments that are “too real,” Davidson said.

His said he loves it when King Triton gets to “destroy things in the theater.” His favorite scene is the moment when he destroys Ariel’s grotto.

“It’s an intense argument,” he said.

Carol Burrow Leos plays Ursula, the villainous sea witch.

“It’s just fun to pretend to be bad,” Leos said “I just love bringing a character to life that you love to hate.”

Others in the cast include Jordan Boyd as Prince Eric, Andy Martinez as Grimsby, Ethan Gonzalez as Flounder and Chris Fisher as Scuttle. Others take on the roles of Ariel’s princess friends and a variety of sea creatures.

Helen Strotman serves as assistant director and Charles Praytor is the musical director.

Rainwater said all involved have worked hard to make “Mermaid” a showstopper.

“This play needs to be the Super Bowl kickoff to all of our upcoming productions,” he said.