In full disclosure, The Growing Stage provided us 3 tickets to The Little Mermaid in exchange for our honest review.
Are you looking for a fun and exciting theatrical performance that the entire family will enjoy?
This month, kids of all ages can enjoy a wonderful interpretation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at The Growing Stage in Netcong, NJ. This magical and breathtaking performance will captivate young audience members!
The Growing Stage: The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey’s version of The Little Mermaid is a stunning portrayal of this classic story. There have been interpretations of this story since it was published in 1837. All have had their own unique twist on this beautiful story about love and family. The Growing Stage’s take on The Little Mermaid is no exception. The talented and amazing cast along with the gorgeous set design and props make this a show to remember!
There are so many reasons to love this production of The Little Mermaid that it was hard to narrow down the list. As an avid theatre goer there are many things I look for in a show for it to be memorable. I look for amazing actors, exciting choreography, humor, captivating set design and, of course, inspiring voices. The Growing Stage’s The Little Mermaid had it all!
The actress that portrayed Ariel, Emily Cara Portune, was magical. She moved about the stage as if she was truly floating or swimming in the sea. I loved the way she used her costume as an extension of herself, and her facial expressions helped tell the story while her voice was captivating. The choreography performed by Steven Etienne was amazing. The “Positoovity” number was also breathtaking as I truly enjoyed the exciting tap choreography.
5 Reasons The Little Mermaid is a Must-See Show
Perfect introduction to theatre! The Little Mermaid is a great show to choose as your child’s first theatrical production. My kids had smiles on their faces during the entire show! It was amazing to see how focused, attentive and engaged all the kids in the audience were. My boys laughed, danced and sang along. The production was presented at the perfect level for kids of all ages to understand and relate to.
A Family Affair! It was so inspiring to see multi-generational families fill the seats in excitement and anticipation of The Little Mermaid. I loved seeing kids sit on their grandparents’ laps and dads watching along with their kids with smiles on their faces. Of course, my favorite part was sharing this experience with my boys. I loved spending time with my kids as we laughed and sang all night!
Gorgeous Set and Costume Design! The set design was whimsical and life-like. My son even said, “Mom that really looks like a ship!” The backstage crew seamlessly transitioned from one scene to the next. The props also added to the magic and delight. I really liked the fish stick-puppets that the puppeteers danced about the stage. The costumes were bright and colorful which added to the whimsy of the show. The glow in the dark eels and Ursula’s dress were my favorites.
Encourages Appropriate Social Behavior! Exposing children to the theatre helps kids learn how to behave in social situations. The Little Mermaid offers a great teachable moment where parents can encourage kids to remain quiet, have patience and applaud a good performance. Kids can also learn good behavior by modeling their parents and peers. The layout of The Growing Stage’s theatre is perfect for young kids as it is inviting, small and provides some room to move around. The social awareness grasped during this show can be carried over to future performances and events!
Enhances Development! If you are a Mommy University follower, then you had to see this one coming! The Little Mermaid offers so many opportunities for kids to learn and grow. The arts, especially the performing arts, are perfect for encouraging learning and increasing understanding and awareness. This show stimulates the imagination which is great for expanding young minds. It also helps enhance language development as children are exposed to new vocabulary and story lines. It also helps increase comprehension skills which are needed for school success.
The boys were so excited to meet the cast after the show, especially Ariel!
The Little Mermaid is playing until October 26th with performances offered on Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm. Tickets can be purchased on The Growing Stage website.
So what are you waiting for? Order your tickets for this amazing production now!