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Desert Stages Theatre Presents
‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.’
Fri., Feb. 22 – Sun., March 24
Tickets at DesertStages.org

Scottsdale, Ariz. (Feb. 19, 2012) – The Children’s Theatre makes an aquatic transformation as Desert Stages Theatre takes the audience under the sea for Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. Fri., Feb. 22 — Sun., March 24.

The magical world under the sea introduces the audience to the adventurous mermaid, Ariel, and her curiosity of life on land. In this beloved musical, Ariel is joined by her friends, reggae-singing crab Sebastian and Flounder the fish, as she follows her dreams.

A protective father, King Triton, and an encounter with Prince Eric, a human, only intensify Ariel’s curiosity. In a twist of events, she must overcome obstacles her curiosity led her to and defeat the sneaky sea witch Ursala.

History. The Little Mermaid first swept America as a Disney Animated Movie in 1989. First of an era known as the “Disney Renaissance,” the film was originally based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of a young princess mermaid hoping to become human. With book by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, The Little Mermaid was converted for the stage in 2007. The production debuted on Broadway in 2008 and ran for 685 performances. Musical Theatre International later adapted the production into a junior version.

Tickets Online & by Phone. Tickets are available at www.DesertStages.org; or by phone, 480.483.1664, and also at the theatre box office, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road, north side of Scottsdale Fashion Square, next to the former Coco’s restaurant. Tickets are $15.

About Desert Stages Theatre. A bustling community playhouse, Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3, founded in 1995, and delivers performances year round. Three show schedules occur throughout the year: Actor’s Café performances in the intimate, proscenium-style 65-seat theatre; the Mainstage Series in Cullity Hall, an inventive theatre-in-the-round; and the Children’s Theatre Series, also performed in Mainstage Cullity Hall. DST also operates a theatrical academy, regularly hosts talent shows (“Show Your Stuff”), and offers a variety of music, dance and other classes open to the community. DST is led by cofounder, executive director and artistic director, Laurie Cullity. Additional cofounders are Joan Thompson and the late Gerry Cullity. Included in each DST season are children’s productions of original scripts, musical scores and lyrics by cofounder Cullity whose works are still relished six years after his passing. Desert Stages has developed thousands of thespians, young and old, many with compelling personal stories of triumph and major stage success, and all of whom perform at DST for the pure love of the theatre.

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