Toby’s Takes Audiences Under The Sea With Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”

You would have to be living under a rock, or inside a giant clam shell, to have never heard of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” With its catchy soundtrack and story about a mermaid chasing her dreams, the 1989 animated film put a new spin on the Hans Christian Andersen tale and captivated audiences. A live action version followed in 2023.

Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia is recreating that magic with a musical adaptation, onstage now through August 17.

A young mermaid named Ariel yearns to explore the world above her underwater kingdom. As she bobs her head above the surface and Prince Eric catches her eye, she fantasizes about being human. But to embark on this journey of self-discovery, Ariel needs to barter with Ursula the sea witch. In exchange for two legs and a chance to be human, Ariel must surrender her voice and agree to a terrifying condition: she has three days to get the prince to kiss her, or she will lose her soul.

Under the direction and choreography of Mark Minnick, and the music direction of Ross Scott Rawlings, the Toby’s show is designed for all ages and features music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken. Families will recognize “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and other memorable songs, but the musical has material not included in the animated film: “The World Above,” “I Want the Good Times Back” and “Daddy's Little Angel.”

Toby’s makes the magical kingdom come alive with its set design and costumes. Colored cloth sways back and forth to simulate ocean currents. King Triton’s staff illuminates to show the mighty power he wields. Ursula’s minion eels Flotsam and Jetsam skate around the “sea” to replicate their animated counterparts’ slippery maneuvers.

With the help of the cast, the show is family friendly and fun. Abby Middleton is the ideal Ariel, a role she held in the 2018 Toby’s production. With a pitch-perfect princess voice, she shows off Broadway chops on “Part of Your World,” “The World Above” and other songs. She resembles Disney’s Ariel — selfless, free-spirited, hopeful and a bit rebellious.

Making his Toby’s debut, Elijah Henderson masters Sebastian’s Trinidadian accent and skillfully balances both parts of the crab’s persona — the charming confidant and the nervous caretaker tasked with watching Ariel after she defies King Triton’s wishes and lives among humans.

As Scuttle, Jeffrey Shankle delivers plenty of comedic relief. He mistakes a fork for a “dinglehopper,” used by adults to brush their hair. To check Prince Eric’s heartbeat, Scuttle places an ear on Eric’s foot. Shankle also shines on the song “Positoovity.”

David Bosley-Reynolds induces plenty of laughter as the frenetic, mustached French chef Louis, who tries to cook Sebastian.

Plenty of the jokes are meant especially for adults, such as the “squid pro quo” pun Ursula delivers when crafting a contract for Ariel to sign.

Lynn Sharp-Spears reprises her role as Ursula from the 2018 Toby’s show. She is wicked but also shows just enough concern for Ariel to make a believable case to mislead the mermaid.

Rounding out the cast, Carter Crosby plays the honorable Prince Eric, Nicky Kaider is the loyal yet risk-averse Flounder, Adam Grabau exhibits a full-bodied voice and intimidating presence as King Triton, and as Flotsam and Jetsam, Shane Lowry and Joey Ellinghaus, respectively, rely on mischievous grins and a serpent-like cadence to accentuate their characters’ devious tendencies.

Between the performers, the set design and costumes, and the talented orchestra, Toby’s has all the necessary ingredients for an enchanting musical with “The Little Mermaid.” The sea-themed adventure has performances until mid-August, including a sensory-friendly performance in partnership with the Autism Society of Maryland on July 13. Next at Toby’s is “Saturday Night Fever,” which runs from August 22 through November 2.

As Ursula insists, “Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?” This choice isn’t so tough. Visit Toby’s to sing along to memorable tunes and enjoy a moving theater experience.