This post has been updated on 2-6-14 at 10:00am.

Dallas, TX…Based on the Disney animated film and hit Broadway musical, Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID is making its North Texas debut at the Music Hall at Fair Park, produced by Michael A. Jenkins and Dallas Summer Musicals. The new production features a revamped script, additional songs, a new physical production and an entirely fresh interpretation of the musical.

Directed by Glenn Casale with original choreography by Glenn John MacInnis, the all-star cast includes Eric Kunze (Prince Eric), Chelsea Morgan Stock (Ariel), Liz McCartney (Ursula), and Alan Mingo, Jr. (Sebastian).

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on the enchanting 1989 Disney animated film and one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, with music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and his long-time collaborator, the late Howard Ashman, it also contains new songs by Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.  The book for the musical is by Pulitzer Prize® and Tony Award®-winning playwright Doug Wright, a native Dallasite.

“The Dallas Summer Musicals version of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID has never been seen before,” said director Casale.  “The script and the structure of the piece are entirely new.  Ursula and Triton have new songs.  It is a family adventure that you will want to share with your sons and daughters.”

Glenn Casale (Director) helmed the Broadway production of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby and filmed by A&E.  Off Broadway he directed The Property Known as Garland, Dragapella at Studio 54.  Internationally he directed Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.

Casale’s work has been seen throughout the U.S. in productions of Dr. Dolittle; Ballroom starring Tyne Daly and Charles Durning; Wrestlers starring Mark Harmon and George Clooney; From the Top starring Carol Burnett; Camelot starring Michael York; and The Prisoner of Second Avenue with Jason Alexander.  He is artistic director for the California Musical Theater in Sacramento.

John MacInnis (Choreographer) recently choreographed the European productions of Disney’s The Little Mermaid now running in Holland, Russia and Japan.  He also choreographed Beauty and the Beast in more than five European countries, including a touring production currently running in Spain.  In 2011 he served as associate choreographer of the Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon.  Other credits include directing and choreographing the Olympic Medals Ceremonies at the 2002 and 2012 Winter Olympic Games.  From 1999 to 2001, he directed and choreographed the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Craig Barna (Music Director) musically directed the Broadway productions of Peter and the Wolf, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the national tours of Camelot, Cats, Singin’ in the Rain and Grease.  Television credits include A&E’s Peter Pan, the 1999 Tony Awards, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, The Today Show, and CBS This Morning.

THE LITTLE MERMAID design team includes:

Scenic design by Kenneth Foy.  Foy’s credits include the Broadway productions of Candida starring Joanne Woodward, Macbeth with Nicol Williamson, the David Merrick production of Oh, Kay!, the 20^th anniversary production of Annie, An Evening with Jerry Herman, and the 1989 Tony Award-winning production of Gypsy directed by Arthur Laurents.

Costume design by Amy Clark and Mark Koss.  Clark’s design credits include Chaplin (Broadway), On Your Toes (Encores!), Show Boat (Goodspeed), and Monster at the Door (Alley Theatre).  Koss designed costumes for California Musical Theater’s Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Producers.

Lighting design by Charlie Morrison, whose credits include Groovaloo, Grinch, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Miss Saigon, Aida, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Gypsy, 42^nd Street, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Who’s Tommy, Titanic, The Music Man, and many others.

Sound design by Paper Mill Playhouse Resident Sound Designer Randy Hansen.  Over the past 25 years he has designed hundreds of musicals, plays, and live events all over the country.

Hair and wig design by Leah J. Loukas.  Loukas recently designed hair and wigs for Paper Mill’s production of The Sound of Music.  On Broadway, she designed Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, American Idiot, Irena’s Vow, and Shakespeare in the Park’s Into the Woods.

Paul Rubin will serve as the flying sequence choreographer.  His work was seen on Broadway in Wicked, Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby, Curtains, The Pirate Queen, Frozen, The Green Bird, Kiss Me, Kate, Dance of the Vampires, Fiddler on the Roof and Saturday Night Fever.

Preview performances of The Little Mermaid will be February 13-16, with official press opening night Tuesday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m., with the last performance Sunday, March 2.  There will be eight performances weekly.  All evening performances will be held at 7:30 p.m., and matinee performances will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and selected Thursdays during the show’s run.

Single tickets are priced from $25-$90, available at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane #542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any Ticketmaster outlet.  Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or www.dallassummermusicals.org.  For groups of 10 or more, call 214-426-GROUP (4768).

DSM 2014 Season Shows continue with WE WILL ROCK YOU, March 4-16, 2014; THE WIZARD OF OZ, March 18-30, 2014; EVITA, April 15-27, 2014; MAMMA MIA!, June 3-15, 2014; and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, September 2-14, 2014.

Mini Packs for any four DSM season shows, starting as low as $61, are also on sale at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane #542 at Preston Royal Shopping Center. Mini packs are also available at www.ticketmaster.com.  Groups of 10 or more get a 15% discount and priority seating; please call 214-426-GROUP (4768) or email groups@dallassummermusicals.org.

Season sponsors and partners for Dallas Summer Musicals are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, The Original Cupcakery, and Texas Instruments.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas.  DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education, and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region.

DSM is the largest producer and presenter of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theatre organization in the United States, and the fourth largest nonprofit theatre company.  In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours productions, and is involved in developing new works.  Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

As a nonprofit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theater, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children.

DSM provides positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theater arts training and scholarships to talented students in need.  Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors.  Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214-421-5678 or visit the website at www.dallassummermusicals.org.

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For media information, please contact Jo Ann Holt at joannholt@gmail.com or 469-363-7371.

Jo Ann Holt, Publicist
joannholt[at]gmail.com

Sing along to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious in the annual Walt Disney World Christmas Parade. MARY POPPINS National Tour stars Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee will perform the classic tongue-twister on Main Street, U.S.A. along with hundreds of dancers.

Here are some interesting fun facts regarding our appearance:

• Ashley and Gavin will be joined by Neil McCaffrey (“Michael Banks”), Cassady Leonard (“Jane Banks”), 20 “cast members” who perform at the Walt Disney World Resort, AND 450 kids from dance groups representing 35 states—and even Canada.

• The group that traveled the furthest was from Washington state and they traveled over 3000 miles.

• They rehearsed separately for over two months and practiced together for over 15 hours onsite.

• It was not until the morning of the Christmas Show taping that all 465 performers (MP cast, WDW cast, and 450 Cheer kids) actually danced together for the first time!

• Our segment was the largest production ever staged in the 25 year history of the parade broadcast!

• The production filled the entire length of Main Street U.S.A.–360 feet!!

The Parade will also feature performances by Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”), the Jonas Brothers and Corbin Bleu (“High School Musical”).

Gather the family, and tune in to ABC on Thursday, December 25 at 10am EST/9am CST (check local listings).

With sugarplum thoughts and wishes…