Open Forum

I did the show this year with no flying effects or anything really "spectacular". My big splurges were on a custom iridescent rain curtain for many of my "under the sea" scenes and I went big on costumes. My decision paid off and the show was very well received and sold out every night.  I have attached a few pictures for reference. If yo have any specific questions I would be glad to answer. 

Thanks Arthur! These really help. What did you do about the part where he falls off the ship and she rescues him?

At Olney Theater Center in Olney, Maryland, they used 3 or 4 strips of fabric stretched across the stage to be the water when they weren't under the sea.  That was particularly effective when he was drowning, because the people holding the fabric ends in the wings lifted the fabric several times so you could see him tumbling in slow motion, then the strip would cover him again.  His upper torso would appear above a strip of fabric, hands reaching up, then he would be submerged again.

I've used fabric as water in children's theatre many, many times, but it also worked well in that regional production.  

Thank you everybody for your help and suggestions! I feel inspired to take the voyage under the sea!

Lorie, We just closed Mermaid...it was a one of the most enjoyable musicals I have directed. As it is my favorite of all the Disneys, I did not want to screw it up! We used the MT Pit music, which sounded terrific. My students brainstormed all the set and scene change needs, then we worked with a professional designer. The permanent set of stacked lego-slabs became whatever was needed by lighting changes and a few pieces. It was the ship, castle rooms, the beach and also Tritan's Court. Downstage was always water, if lit. Stemming from a pinterest idea, we built six coral pieces, two in "Ursula colors," that we used in underwater scenes. Students created umbrella jellyfish that were spectacular, swimming across during the Overture.  Attached are some photos from our final dress. Show pics can be viewed at http://www.schools.studioaltius.com/whitfield/galleries/20160413musical/ 

Amy

We are doing Mermaid in the Spring and I was wondering if any of your costumes were available to rent/purchased?

Thank you!

Brian Hough

We did Little Mermaid Jr. with our Middle level a few years ago and it was delightful! We did no flying but we did put all of the Mer-people  and Flounder on heelies. It was great fun! The kids had a blast both in rehearsal and in performance. I do remember thinking that at least the junior version was very heavy set wise. It had NUMEROUS very short scenes and lots of different sets. I guess that's what you get with Disney. We simplified the sets and made it work but a big stage crew was essential.  It may be very different in the full version. I thought the show was amazing and held together beautifully without too many challenges. If you can get moving lighting involved the scenes really pop.  The show also provided a great way to feature lots of girls. Bet your kids will love it! 

We did the show this past March.  Sold out two weekends before we even opened.  Could have sold a third.  When you say you aren't able to do flying is that because you don't have a fly house?  Our theatre doesn't either but I've done lots of flying.  Companies like ZFX or Hall and Associates will be able to deadhang track from whatever superstructure you have.  You can get by with a single track or maybe two for the flying/swimming effects in LM.  We also simulated water with the dance/movement ensemble using Isis Wings which were a really cool way to create the ocean. lagoon, etc.  I'd be happy to talk with you about it.  We also focused a great deal on costumes which we built and they are available to rent if you are interested.  We also built and utilized puppets for the lead non-human characters along the "Avenue Q" route.  You can check out pics on our Facebook page--just scroll down a bit:  Appleton North High School Theatre

We also did TLM this past April. I looked to puppetry for solutions on how to creative movement and consistency in the aquatic world. We rented large puppets for Flounder, Sebastian, Scuttle, Flotsam, and Jetsam (seen in photo), and veil fans (from the belly dancing world) for flowing fish fins, and kites mounted on pvc pipes for flamingos and turtles in the lagoon. The girls had isis irridescent wings for swans in the lagoons, which created the space needed as well. For water, we used special lightiing instruments and color, no fabric. The black cyc helped divide shore and sea for the boat scenes. We also had a large mobile ramp/rock to help with land and sea distinction. Artistically, I was going for less Disney and more whimsical.

Hi,

   Our middle school just did the full version.  We have two acting levels: a stage and the floor in front of it. We set our seats up on three sides of the acting area. The stage was primarily land, and the floor was primarily the sea. Because we had two acting areas, Eric fell out of the boat and slowly started to drown as he made his way to the bottom (floor acting area) where Ariel saved him.

   SFX are neat and all of that, but it's the story and the iconic songs that they are coming for. 

   Costumes, however,  are crucial to the magic which you are striving for.

   I've attached some photos of what we did; I hope they help.

  Believe in your kids! We were blessed with fabulous singers across the board: Ariel, Ursula, Eric, Sebastian, Chef Louis, Flounder, Scuttle, Triton!

  We gave Ariel legs right in front of the audience just before intermission. We used a shadow double Ariel behind fabric with a light behind it, and switched out Ariel with a double and switched her back in when she lost her fin. Then, dropped the fabric for the reveal. There is enough underscoring for any creative way to transform her.

  We made a light weight dinghy for "Kiss the Girl." It was on wheels, which we concealed; Ariel and Eric foot pedaled it very slowly (like the Flintstones) and did a 360 during Sebastian's solo; the audience loved it.

   We also used a large silicon sea shell, which lit up when Ariel's voice is transferred. 

   We put Flounder, Ariel, Flotsam, and Jetsam on heelies for fun.

   The magic is in the singing, costumes, and your creativity.

   Best of luck in your voyage under the sea.

We did the Junior version with our middle school and it was an absolute hoot!! We did the King, Mersisters and Flounder and Sebastian on Heelies. The kids LOVED it!  The junior version is set heavy, (very short scenes in different locations) but that allowed us to include a lot more kids on crew than normal. Costumes are great fun and available from millions of resources. For middle school we chose to do leotard tank tops for the mermaids instead of bras and it helped the modesty issue. Kids loved the music and it was a hit with parents too.