National Youth Arts - ArtsDig - Resource for youth arts

News

Go "Under the Sea" with VYT as they present

Disney's The Little Mermaid

June 10th - 26th

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story about a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where the exquisite young mermaid, Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. With music by eight-time Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," and "Part of Your World."

About The Cast:

Disney's The Little Mermaid boasts a brilliantly talented cast of young actors from all over the Valley including: Phoenix, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Peoria, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Surprise, Laveen and New River.

"We had around 170 young people audition for this porduciton, says Bobb Cooper, VYT's Producing Artistic Director. "There was more talent under one roof then is imaginable. We had to make some very tough decisions and this cast is going to blow your socks off."

Nathan Sheppard, returns to the Herberger stage as the handsome Prince Eric. Nathan was last seen at VYT as Joseph in its Season 2015-16 opening production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat where he received rave reviews including "better then Broadway's national touring production" (David Appleford Valley Screen and Stage) and according to Gil Benbrook of Talkin' Broadway "(Joseph) led by Nathan Sheppard as Joseph not only has clear and strong vocals but also exudes charm and joy ...bringing a high level of excitement to his role. Sheppard's voice soars in his solos."

Nathan is a senior at Sandra Day O'Connor High School and has been accepted to the Lyrics Opera Program at Arizona State University to study Musical Theatre . "Honestly, this is a dream come true for me," says Nathan. "This is a movie that I grew up watching so it has a very special place in my heart. To portray a Disney prince like Eric, who has so much heart and pure love for Ariel, is going to be an absolute blast."

The beautiful mermaid, Ariel, will be played by award-winning actress Kayla Dobbs, a freshman at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek. She returns to VYT after recently winning an NYA Award for Best Lead Actress in The Wizard of OZ. "All Kayla wanted was a call-back for any role so she could perform at the Herberger Theater," say Jennifer Dobbs, Kayla's mother. "It was 2am when we found out she had been cast in the role of Arial. She was in disbelief...she started crying and jumping on her bed and laughing all at the same time."

"Kayla had me in tears at her first vocal audition," says Cooper. "When she came for call back's she made me cry again. She is a very talented young lady."

Making her VYT debut, playing the infamous Sea Witch, Ursula, is Tatumn Zale. Tatumn is a senior at Xavier College Preparatory where she has performed in several productions. "She is a true triple threat with an amazingly rich voice and we are very excited to welcome her to VYT," says Cooper.

Another new-comer to VYT is Kylan Chait playing Ariel's adorable and ever-faithful friend Flounder. Ariel's five beautiful and cruel Mersisters are played by: Addison Bowman, Isabella Conner, Tatum Dial, Talia Kahn, Tiana Marks and Avery Strachan. "These five are a force to be reckoned with," Cooper says.

Other noted young actors include: Sam Primack, playing Ursula's shady side-kick Flopsam. Sam is a freshman at Chaparral High School. He notably appeared as Pugsley Addams on the Broadway national tour of The Addams Family. Primack is a true VYT veteran. This is his 16^thproduction.

Rounding out the cast of the Little Mermaid are many talented, up-and-coming entertainers from around the Valley playing all sorts of fishy sea creatures and humans.

Synopsis: Disney�s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story about a beautiful mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her voice to find her true love; this musical will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including "Kiss the Girl," "Part of Your World" and the Oscar-winning triumph "Under the Sea."

This production will be presented June 10 � 26, 2016 Center Stage at the Herberger Theater Center.

Based on the animated 1989 Disney film and the classic story of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. Produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written and directed by John Musker & Ron Clements. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Theatre Company: Valley Youth Theatre

Production: Disney�s The Little Mermaid (full Broadway version)

Book by: Doug Wright

Music by: Alan Mendken

Lyrics by: Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater

Directed by: Bobb Cooper

Musically Directed by: Mark Fearey

Dates On Stage: June 10-26, 2016

Show Days & Times: Thursday(s), June 16 & 23 | 7:00pm

Friday(s), June 10, 17 & 24 | 7:00pm

Saturday(s), June 11, 18 & 25 | 2:00pm & 7:00pm

Sunday(s), June 12, 19 & 26 | 2:00pm

Venue: The Herberger Theater Center

222 E Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 254-7399

Ticket Information: www.vyt.com | 602.253.8188 | HerbergerTheater.org