Press Release
PCRT Presents: Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Musical opens at Firehouse Arts Center Saturday, January 30
Pleasanton, Calif. – Pacific Coast Repertory Company kicks off 2016 with the dazzling East Bay Professional Premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, this fishy fable captures hearts with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.” The show opens on Saturday, January 30, at 8:00 p.m. at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton.
Special Events: “INSIDE THE SHOW” discussion with the principal actors will take place after the Sunday, January 31 matinee performance. PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: have your picture taken with the cast after the January 31 and February 6 matinee performances. Admission is free with a ticket to the performance.
Show runs January 30 through February 14. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m. Reserved seat tickets are $18-$39, and youth, senior, and group discounts for 10 or more are available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.firehousearts.org, by phone at (925) 931-4848, or in person at the Firehouse Arts Center Box Office, 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton.
Critically acclaimed director/actor and PCRT Co-Artistic Director David Judson directs, and Pat Parr, PCRT’s award-winning Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director, serves as Music Director. The professional production team is led by Brittany Danielle, Choreographer; Pat Brandon, Scenic Designer; and Mike Oesch, Lighting Designer.
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above and bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.
Director Judson notes “This is a great coming of age story with a strong feminist character (Ariel). While she deviates from her father’s wishes, like many of us have in our own lives, she ultimately earns his blessing. She looks outside her “world” to find happiness… and she does not let appearance or beliefs bother her, but rather she searches for one with a genuine heart like hers. Ultimately, all the creatures (under and above the sea) come together and accept one another. Wouldn’t that be nice in the world we live in?!”
When asked “why this show?” director Judson has a wonderful back-story: “My three kids were the very first children to ever ride the Little Mermaid ride at Disneyland, and were featured in a “cutting the ribbon” news story! We (PCRT) are privileged to be first out of the gate to produce this show professionally here.”
Technically speaking, the production design team is “pulling out all the stops,” says Judson, complete with bubble and fog machines, black lighting, high-definition projections, and new special effects LED lighting “to help transport our guests under the sea.”
And beyond all of the cool production stuff, PCRT has some of the most incredibly talented performers in the bay area in this production, having auditioned 100’s of people to find the right mix of actors for this show.
Bay Area actress Catherine Williamson stars as “Ariel,” having last been seen on the PCRT stage in Chicago. Nathaniel Rothrock appears as “Prince Eric,” Noel Anthony* plays “King Triton,” and Allison F. Rich* is a delicious “Ursula” (watch those eyes!). A very talented group of professional and regional actors complete cast and ensemble. (*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers)
The Firehouse Arts Center is dedicated to inspiring passion through the arts. The center is comprised of the 227-seat Firehouse Theater, the 2000 square foot Harrington Gallery, classrooms and rehearsal space, the grand atrium lobby, and the famous interior glass bridge. With world-class performing and visual arts, exciting interactive programs for all ages, and a state-of-the-art venue which opened in 2010, we combine the sophistication of the culturally rich Bay Area arts landscape with the hospitality and intimacy of our own home town. The Firehouse Arts Center is located at 4444 Railroad Avenue in downtown Pleasanton. Media: Jane Onojafe, jonojafe@cityofpleasantonca.gov, or 925-931-4855
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