Hooked by NSMT’s production of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

BEVERLY — There are plenty of fish in the sea, but there’s only one Little Mermaid, and she’s appearing this month at Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre in a production that is ?Positoovity’ phenomenal.NYU student Adrienne Eller is brilliant in the lead role as Ariel, with an angelic voice and spot-on vocals even while floating above the stage ? err, the ocean floor ? during her heartfelt rendition of “Part of Your World.”Bruce Landry is perfectly cast as Prince Eric, the tall and dashing object of Ariel’s affection. And when the two finally meet in Act II, after Ariel has traded her voice for human legs in a pact with her evil and bewitching Aunt Ursula, her prince teaches her to communicate through dance during a mellifluously choreographed number, “One Step Closer.”Actress Kecia Lewis’ Ursula is alternately ominous and hilarious as the nemesis, and exercises an incredibly powerful voice that seems would bellow across the oceans.Another standout in this cast of standouts is J. Cameron Barnett as Sebastian, a crab who is a servant to Ariel’s father, King Triton (Mark Campbell), and who watches over the youngest of Triton’s brood of seven mermaids.Barnett’s rendition of the catchy classic “Under The Sea” has the audience swaying, and his comedic timing is perfect throughout the show, especially when he nearly ends up on a dinner table being served to the human Ariel and her prince.Yes, Little Mermaid is a story for the younger set — and there were plenty of children in the audience at Thursday’s opening-night including some decked in mermaid costumes. But as Eller pointed out in a recent interview with The Item, the story also has an adult theme: A rebellious girl who is coming of age, who feels she doesn’t belong and who argues with her father to let her go to the world where she feels she does. This show resonates with all ages, and puts smiles on faces of children ages 4 to 94.Tip of the hat also to the NSMT Orchestra. Conductor Bruce Barnes and his pit orchestra of 11 musicians are truly hidden stars of this show and listening to the score is itself a treat.Disney’s The Little Mermaid has been extended a week, with performance to run through July 27, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch the show, or more precisely, let it catch you.The production also stars Freddie Kimmel (Scuttle), Benjamin Howes (Grimsby), Paul Louis Lessard (Jetsam), Jeremy Pasha (Flotsam) and Shawn Platzker (Flounder). The ensemble includes Sissy Bell (Aquata), Daniel J. Edwards, Rachel Fairbanks (Arista), Grace Hardin (Andrina), Carlynn Laurie (Adella), Michael McCrary, Stephanie Moskal (Atina), David Scott Purdy (Chef Louis), Emma Ritchie (Allana), Sam Seferian, Scott Shedenhelm and Lucas Thompson.The creative team is made up of Michael Heitzman (director), AC Ciulla (choreographer), Bruce Barnes (music director), Howard C. Jones (scenic designer), Paula Peasley-Ninestein (costume coordinator), Kirk Bookman (lighting designer), Charles Coes (sound designer), Kurt Alger (wig designer), John Godbout (production stage manager), Phill Madore (assistant stage manager), Luke Flood (assistant music director) and Binder Casting (casting).