'The Little Mermaid' to be part of Croswell Opera House's world for three weekends

Arlene Bachanov
·6 min read

ADRIAN — Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian the crab, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and all the other characters from “The Little Mermaid” come to life on the Croswell Opera House stage for the next three weekends.

The musical based on the animated Disney film, which in turn was inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen story, opens at 7:30 p.m. today.

Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.

Emma Skaggs as Ariel is pictured in a scene from "The Little Mermaid" at the Croswell Opera House.
Emma Skaggs as Ariel is pictured in a scene from "The Little Mermaid" at the Croswell Opera House.

Tickets are $44/$33/$22 for adults and $25/$20/$15 for students, and are available by calling 517-264-7469 or online at croswell.org.

Sarah Nowak of Tecumseh, the Croswell production’s director and choreographer, was part of that generation of children who grew up with the Disney version of the story and loving the movie. That’s why being asked to direct the stage version was such a special thrill.

“It’s definitely a show that’s been near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I love Ariel. And Ursula is my favorite movie villain,” because compared to the usual such character, “she was so different, and had such a different personality.”

In comparison to the Disney version, the stage production develops its characters more fully. This Ariel, for example, is not only smart, curious about life, and searching for more than she has in her undersea home, but “I think she’s stronger,” Nowak said.

“She definitely has her own personality and wants what’s right. Although it is true that she falls into teenage traps.”

As for Prince Eric, his character is “better developed, too, rather than just being handsome,” as he questions his royal obligations versus wanting to simply have a carefree life on the water.

Zachary Flack as Sebastian, Brian Jones as King Triton, Emma Skaggs as Ariel, and Ella Flumignan as Flounder are pictured in a scene from "The Little Mermaid" at the Croswell Opera House.
Zachary Flack as Sebastian, Brian Jones as King Triton, Emma Skaggs as Ariel, and Ella Flumignan as Flounder are pictured in a scene from "The Little Mermaid" at the Croswell Opera House.

The stage musical also adds songs that have their own role in developing the story. One particularly striking one to Nowak is “If Only,” sung by Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian and King Triton. In this tune, each character, as the title implies, sings about his or her own struggle with the “if only” of their life.

“It’s this really emotional moment where you see the humanity of each character,” Nowak said.

But even with such added elements, the story generally follows Disney’s plot and keeps all the characters and moments that fans of the movie know and love.

Those moments are especially important in the Croswell’s production. In order to prepare to direct the show, Nowak watched both movie versions — the animated one and the recent live-action one — and the stage musical, and asked a variety of people what they connect with when they see the show.

Her goal was to find the key moments in each version because “I wanted to focus on that,” she said.

For example, in the newer movie version King Triton’s love for his daughter and his fear of losing her is much more developed than in the animated production, “so that was something I really wanted to incorporate.”

Of course, none of it would work well without the right cast, and Nowak said she was fortunate that so many really good performers came to audition.

Ariel is played by Emma Skaggs of Perrysburg, Ohio, as Ariel. Skaggs was previously seen as Carole King in the Croswell’s “Beautiful.”

“Emma is perfection,” Nowak said. “She really captures that innocence as Ariel, and you can tell she really cares about the production.”

Xavier Sarabia plays Prince Eric, and “he’s really great. We’ve already known he’s an amazing vocalist from other shows he’s done, and now we get to see a whole different side of him. … And the connection that he and Emma have is really nice.”

Brian D. Jones (Maumee, Ohio) plays Ariel’s father, King Triton. Ariel’s friends include Zachary Flack (Allen Park) as Sebastian the crab, Ella Flumignan (Onsted) as Flounder the fish, and Jonah Hiatt (Palmyra) as Scuttle the seagull. Ariel’s sisters are played by Alexandra June (Adrian), Lila Brighton (Onsted), Rachel Ogger (Jackson), Emily Smith (Temperance), Kayla Garlick (Sylvania, Ohio) and Amber Wilkes (Toledo).

Anjewel Lenoir (Adrian) plays Ursula, a character that in the stage version is also better developed than in the Disney movie.

“You find out more about Ursula and why she is the way she is,” Nowak said. “And Anjewel finds the sass in her.”

Ursula the sea witch, played by Anjewel Lenoir, tricks Ariel, played by Emma Skaggs, into giving up her voice in a scene from "The Little Mermaid" at the Croswell Opera House.
Ursula the sea witch, played by Anjewel Lenoir, tricks Ariel, played by Emma Skaggs, into giving up her voice in a scene from "The Little Mermaid" at the Croswell Opera House.

Madelyn Bowman (Adrian) and Cooper Adams (Manitou Beach) play Flotsam and Jetsam. Jeff King (Temperance) is Louis, the chef who wants to cook Sebastian for dinner. John Lamb (Ann Arbor) is Prince Eric’s palace adviser, Grimsby, and Steven Owsley (Jackson) is the pilot of Eric’s boat.

The ensemble consists of Trent Aneed, Haylie Blohm, Kylie Bushman, Christopher Harlan and Aiden Ketola (all of Adrian); Bella McQuigg (Dundee); Joanna Bacarella (Monroe); Carsyn Benzing and Oden Berthelsen (Tecumseh); Jerold King and Chris Smith (Temperance); Reed Schwieterman (Maumee, Ohio); and Katie Spieles (Wauseon, Ohio).

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news, and high school and college sports content.

The assistant director and choreographer is Emily Flack, the vocal director is Wynne Marsh, and the orchestra is conducted by Ray Novak. Scenic design is by Marty Flake, and costumes are by Pam Krage.

Nowak said the show is a great production for all ages to enjoy together. It moves along quickly, with plenty of bold, bright colors and dance elements to draw children into the story, and — as with any good children’s tale — there are moments that adults will connect with as well.

“It’s a beautiful show that’s full of fun personalities and things people can all relate to,” she said. “I’m just extremely proud of my cast and my team, and I think the show will have something for everyone in it.”

If you go

WHAT: “The Little Mermaid”

WHERE: Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3

TICKETS: Adults $44/$33/$22, students $25/$20/$15

HOW TO ORDER: By calling 517-264-7469 or online at croswell.org

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Preview: 'The Little Mermaid' at Croswell Opera House Nov. 17-Dec. 3