Family Holiday Classic: The Des Moines Community Playhouse Production of: Disney’s The Little Mermaid

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 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. 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 will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”
Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining 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.
Join us for holiday performances prior to Disney’s The Little Mermaid!
Friday Dec. 1, 7 PM | Preshia Sings Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 2, 1 PM | Des Moines Roosevelt High School Choir and Da Capo A Capella Jazz Choir
Saturday, Dec. 2, 5 PM | Heartland Youth Choir
Sunday, Dec. 3, 1 PM | Preshia Sings Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 3, 5 PM | Christmas Classics Performed by Preshia Paulding and Brenda McConahay
Friday, Dec. 8, 7 PM | Urbandale Community Adult Swing Band
Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 PM | UU Singers from First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
Saturday, Dec. 9, 5 PM | Caleb Moore
Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 PM | Christmas Belles Handbell Quartet
Sunday, Dec. 10, 5 PM | Grace Lutheran Handbell Choir
Friday, Dec. 15, 7 PM | GottaZING
Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 PM | Ann Bass
Saturday, Dec. 16, 5 PM | Trastevere Winds from St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Sunday, Dec. 17, 1 PM | Christmas Classics Performed by Preshia Paulding and Brenda McConahay
Sunday, Dec. 17, 5 PM | Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church’s Adult Choir
Thursday, Dec. 21, 7 PM | Michael and Sierra Howland
Friday, Dec. 22, 7 PM | Michael and Sierra Howland
Saturday, Dec. 23, 1 PM | Laura Erickson and Friends
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The performance at 5:00 PM on Sunday, Dec. 10, will have live audio description, provided by IRIS. Please contact our ticket office at 515-277-6261 if you would like to use this free service. |
Sponsored by:
- Ariel
- Savannah Trotter
- Eric
- Johnny Kroll
- Ursula
- Jackie Schmillen
- Sebastian
- Blake Clyde
- Triton
- Jerry Stoner
- Grimsby
- Darren Grote
- Flounder
- Jack Gabby
- Scuttle
- Christopher Rozenboom
- Chef Louis
- Chad Milosevic
- Flotsam/Seagull
- Mitchell Nieland
- Jetsam/Seagull
- Jess Hoffert
- Pilot
- Jamerris Holder
- Aquata
- Natalie Grote
- Andrina
- Lexus Theissen
- Arista
- Jessica Richter
- Atina
- Maggie Schmitt
- Allana
- Taylor Peecksen
- Adella
- Sarah Rasavanh
- Windward/Prince/Chef/Sailor/Sea Creature
- Tony Tandeski
- Leeward/Prince/Chef/Sailor/Sea Creature
- Eric Layden
- Sea Creature/Butterfly
- Caitlyn Dean
- Sea Creature/Butterfly
- Maggie Wildermuth
- Sea Creature/Butterfly
- Julianne Ungs
- Prince/Chef/Sailor/Sea Creature
- Will Johnson
- Prince/Chef/Sailor/Sea Creature
- Kyle Kloppe
- Prince/Chef/Sailor/Sea Creature
- Lawrence Walker
- Prince/Chef/Sailor/Sea Creature
- Alex Lindsley
Interview with actors Jackie Schmillen and Jerry Stoner, We Are Iowa News, ABC5, Nov. 30, 2017
Review, dsm magazine, Dec. 5, 2017
Interview with costume designer Angela Lampe, Cityview, December 2017
Des Moines Community Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Dec. 24, 2017
Subject: Des Moines Community Playhouse Presents “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358
The Des Moines Community Playhouse production of “Disney’s the Little Mermaid,” will be presented Dec. 1-23, 2017. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer.
Ariel (Savannah Trotter) may have fins, but she wants nothing more than to leave her kingdom under the sea. After saving Prince Eric (Johnny Knoll) from a storm at sea, she knows she’s in love and her father will never understand. But when Ariel makes a deal with Ursula (Jackie Schmillen), the evil sea witch, to experience the life she’s dreamed of, things go terribly wrong. Make “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” part of your family’s world this holiday season!
The Playhouse cast is directed by Maxwell Schaeffer and choreographed by Megan Helmers with music direction by Brenton Brown. The cast includes Blake Clyde, Caitlyn Dean, Jackson Michael Gabby, Darren J. Grote, Natalie Grote, Jess Hoffert, Jamerris D. Holder, Will C. Johnson, Kyle Kloppe, Johnny Kroll, Eric Layden, Alex Lindsley, Chad Milosevic, Mitchell Nieland, Sarah Rasavanh, Jess Richter, Taylor Rose, Christopher Rozenboom, Maggie Schmitt, Jackie Schmillen, Maggie Schmitt, Jerry Stoner, Tony Tandeski, Lexie Thiessen, Savannah Trotter, Julianne Ungs, Lawrence Walker, and Marguerite Wildermuth.
Audiences are encouraged to come 20 minutes prior to show time to hear local musicians share holiday music in the lobby. Among those performing are Roosevelt High School’s Chamber Choir and Da Capo A Cappella Jazz Choir, Urbandale Community Swing Band, Trastevere Winds from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, First Unitarian Church Choir, Grace Lutheran Church’s handbell choir, GottaZing, and Playhouse vocalists Michael Howland and Preshia Paulding.
The Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the US. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.
For more information about the Playhouse and “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” contact the Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” Performances: Dec. 1-23, 2017
7:00 PM Friday
1:00 PM & 5:00 PM Saturday-Sunday
7:00 PM Thursday, Dec. 21
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” Tickets
Ticket prices start at $29
To purchase tickets:
dmplayhouse.com
515-277-6261
Des Moines Community Playhouse Ticket Office, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312
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Savannah Trotter is Ariel in the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” Dec. 1-23, 2017, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.
Savannah Trotter is Ariel in the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” Dec. 1-23, 2017, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.
Blake Clyde is Sebastian and Savannah Trotter is Ariel in the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” Dec. 1-23, 2017, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.
Jackson Michael Gabby is Flounder and Savannah Trotter is Ariel in the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” Dec. 1-23, 2017, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.
Johnny Kroll is Prince Eric and Savannah Trotter is Ariel in the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” Dec. 1-23, 2017, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.
Savannah Trotter is Ariel in the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” Dec. 1-23, 2017, at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.