‘The Little Mermaid’ Swims Into Southampton Cultural Center

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 for the ages. Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center will present a staged concert version of “The Little Mermaid” from October 11 to October 27, at the Southampton Cultural Center’s Levitas Center for the Arts.

Bethany Dellapolla directs and choreographs the production and John Tocco is the musical director. “The Little Mermaid” tells the story of Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, who is fascinated by life on land, which is strictly off-limits per her father. One day, while sneaking up to the surface, Ariel witnesses a shipwreck and rescues a young man, Prince Eric, with whom she becomes smitten. Frustrated by her father’s stubbornness and fueled by her love for the prince, Ariel runs away and strikes a deal with Ursula the sea witch to get the life she’s always wanted on land. But the bargain is not what it seems, and she will need the help of her friends Flounder, Scuttle, and Sebastian, in order to restore order under the sea.

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 fishy fable is one for the ages.

The Center Stage cast features Hannah Faye Huizing as Ariel, Michael Drozd as Prince Eric, Kimet Speed as Ursula, Adam Fronc as Sebastian, Jonathan Fogarty as Scuttle, Zoe Engeldrum as Flounder, John Tramontana as King Triton, Josephine Wallace as Grimsby, Winslow Ryan and Alexandra Behmoiram as Flotsam and Jetsam, and Michaal Lyn Schepps as Chef Louis. The cast also features Bethany Trowbridge, Amy McDougal, Holly Robinson, Rebecca Trowbridge, Ryleigh Morton-Boone, Sarah Sireci, Davianna Trowbridge, Aubrie Dimon, and Gabriel DiFrancesco.

Tickets for “The Little Mermaid” are $30 ($15 for students). Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. from October 11 to October 27. The Southampton Cultural Center is at 25 Pond Lane, Southampton. Dinner theater packages are available at Plaza Café and Le Chef. Brunch theater packages are available at Edgewater and Fellingham’s before Sunday matinees. To purchase tickets visit scc-arts.org or call 631-287-4377.