By Lauren Boykin | Contributor
North Texas Performing Arts is celebrating its 30th Anniversary throughout 2021 with The NTPA 30th Anniversary Celebration Series, featuring eight shows that have been fan favorites over the past three decades. The Celebration Series continues with the NTPA Repertory Theatre production of The Little Mermaid, as NTPA celebrates the 5-year anniversary of the award-winning NTPA Repertory.
“We are pleased to mark five years since launching the NTPA Repertory Theatre company with the mission to bring Broadway-quality productions to the North Dallas suburbs,” says Darrell Rodenbaugh, NTPA Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited about reopening with exciting upcoming productions including The Little Mermaid, Cabaret, and Jekyll & Hyde.”
NTPA Repertory Theatre has been honored with fifteen Column Award (DFW area equivalent to the Tony awards) nominations and three awards, and was recently named “Best Theatre Company in the Region” by Broadway World.
NTPA Repertory Theatre returns with a splash on July 16-27 with the musical Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the wildly popular animated film, The Little Mermaid is a beautiful love story about strength, resilience and determination. This Broadway gem will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, featuring the rambunctious and persuasive “Under the Sea,” the romantic expectation of “Kiss the Girl,” and that anthem to longing and belonging, “Part of Your World.”
The Little Mermaid is directed by Daniel Dean Miranda and features Nicole Palmer as Ariel. Nicole is excited to be portraying Ariel. “The Little Mermaid represents everything I believe in and everything I want to be. Ariel is bold and compassionate and changed her whole world’s way of thinking because she was able to see the good in people first. Even with her father’s disapproval, all of the social norms, and everything she was told was wrong with the human race…Ariel swam (and stood) strong and followed her heart. Two worlds which would have never become one, came together because of one strong, independent woman, and I love Ariel for it!! Ariel shows me that (1) I can be myself, (2) I can be proud of myself, and (3) there are people out there who will welcome me and love me just as I am!”
The incredible and diverse cast and production team includes Esteban Vilchez (Prince Eric), Hayden Hagmann (King Triton), Sophia Garcia (Sebastian), Peyton Meacham (Ursula), Audrey Dalton (Flounder), Nicole Kimbrell (Flotsam), Megan DuChene (Jetsam), Alexis Farrell (Scuttle), Johnathan Sieders (Grimsby), Andi Alamo (Chef Louis), Angeleen Thomas(Aquata), Leah Flores (Andrina), Layla Brent-Tompkins (Arista), Bridget Andersen (Atina), Marissa Ovenshire (Adella), Bailey Lund (Allana), with Jacob Fisher, TJ Momon, and Randi Fine. Our Production Team includes Music Direction by Anthony Holmes, Choreography by DeeDee Munson and Assistant Direction by Pamela Anglero, with stage management by Ruby Pullum.
This family-friendly production only has 8 performances with limited seating.
The Little Mermaid performs July 16-25 in the Rodenbaugh Theatre at Willow Bend Center of the Arts, 6121 W. Park Blvd. B216, Plano, TX 75093.
Masks are required for unvaccinated patrons. View full safety protocols at ntparep.org.
Music by eight-time Academy Award® winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright.
For more information and tickets to The Little Mermaid, go to: ntparep.org/season/little-mermaid/
More info about NTPA’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Series at: NTPA.org/ntpa-celebrates-30-years/
About North Texas Performing Arts
North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to developing the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment. NTPA evolved from Plano Children’s Theatre founded three decades ago and is now the largest youth theatre organization in the country. NTPA is headquartered at Willow Bend Center of the Arts in Plano and has additional performance and educational spaces in Fairview, Frisco, and Dallas. Each year NTPA provides opportunities to more than 11,000 students ages three to 18 through its “Ten Characters” leadership development program. NTPA’s professional artistic staff uses theatre, dance, music, voice, film and TV to ignite a lifelong passion for the performing arts and guide young people on a path to becoming better citizens in our community and our world.
About North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre
North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre is the professional adult theatre company within the 501(c)3 non-profit North Texas Performing Arts family of theatres. The mission of the NTPA Repertory Theatre is to deliver professional-quality theatrical entertainment that inspires audiences and empowers artists from Broadway to the ‘Burbs. NTPA Repertory was named the 2019 Best Adult Theatre Company of Plano.