‘The Little Mermaid’ Makes a Splash at Toby’s

Flounder (Nicky Kaider) and the Mersisters

I’ve heard the rumors, too. But they’re false. The visionary creative team at Toby’s did not plan to submerge the theatre in water to encapsulate the underwater environment that dominates Disney’s The Little Mermaid now playing at the famed dinner theatre of Columbia.

Sure, such conditions would allow the aquatic characters in the show to move about freely in their natural habitat. But with the luscious food at the buffet (seafood and all) getting soggy, the audience drenched if not drowning, and the cast with their mic’s affixed to them getting electrocuted, the show’s run would be limited to one performance, if that.

Rather, a more conventional approach was adopted, and it worked magic. Under the superb direction and choreography of Helen Hayes Award winner Mark Minnick, the perfectly cast, impeccably staged, ultra-colorful, splashy production is a visual spectacle to be sure. With a ton of set pieces and costume changes, the show is well-paced with scene changes occurring seamlessly.

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most adored stories and the 1989 classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid netted two Tony Award nominations in 2008. It features music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a book by Doug Wright.

The musical conveys the fairytale love story of a beautiful young mermaid (Ariel) who at first is infatuated with “human things” like a fork and other items discarded at sea and falling to the ocean floor where she resides and then smitten by a human being—a handsome prince (Eric) whom she saves from an accident at sea. Prince Eric hears her lovely voice and he, too, becomes spellbound.

What then transpires and how they ultimately “hook up” forms the essence of the plot and is a joy to behold.

The imaginative set designed by Shane Lowry eschewed filling up the theater with water and instead created a gorgeous undersea atmosphere.  A variety of items—many abstract and translucent—mounted around the walls and suspended objects including jellyfish add texture to the scenery. The use of multiple long strips of waving fabrics to depict the ocean’s surface and waves is a great touch.

Lynn Joslin’s vividly chromatic lighting design amplifies the set. The mixing of hues with a blue-green accent help to depict the underwater action.

Carter Crosby as Prince Eric and Abby Middleton as Ariel

Costume Coordinators Sarah King and Janine Sunday along with Hair and Wig Designer Jayson Kueberth helped turn the fairy tale into reality. The costumes are magnificent and vibrant beyond belief. The aquatic characters including a variety of sea life, such as a flounder, a crab, a couple of eels, other fishes, a flock of seagulls and, of course, a bevy of mermaids replete with extended tails are decked out in innovative attire that are sure to please the young children (and adults) attending the show. The costumes for the sailors above the surface, King Triton, the villainess sea witch Ursula, and the ensemble are similarly outstanding, lavish, intricate and imaginative.

Mr. Minnick’s choreography is detailed and fluid working the in-the-round stage to near perfection.  Group numbers, such as “Daughters of Triton,” the clever “Positoovity,” the hilarious “Les Poissons,” “She’s in Love” and the showstopper “Under the Sea” are expertly performed.  This is no small achievement given the bulky costumes worn by the cast members, and the precise execution avoids collisions.

More top-notch choreography is on display in “Sweet Child” and “Daddy’s Little Angel.” Here, two green-clad eels, Flotsam (Shane Lowry when he’s not designing the gorgeous set) and Jetsam (Joey Ellinghaus) who are loyal subordinates of the sea witch Ursula perform while on rollerblades.  Using synchronized strides and shifting upper body movements, both gracefully and deliberately slither around the stage in artistic, electric performances. Mr. Ellinghaus nailed the same role some seven years ago and apparently has not missed a step.

Alan Menken’s score is melodic and delivered exceptionally by Music Director Ross Scott Rawlings and his 6-piece orchestra. Catina McLagan conducts at other performances.

"...the perfectly cast, impeccably staged, ultra-colorful, splashy production is a visual spectacle..."

Abby Middleton, reprising her role as Ariel, the youngest mermaid daughter of King Triton (Adam Grabau), the ruler of an undersea country, does a laudable job in conveying her yearning for Prince Eric (Carter Crosby). Possessing a sweet melodic soprano voice, Ms. Middleton excels in one of the show’s popular songs “Part of Your World” and in other solos like “The World Above” and “If Only.”

Her onstage chemistry with Mr. Grabau as her father King Triton and Mr. Crosby’s Prince Eric offers believability to this make-believe tale.

Ariel’s love interest, dashing Prince Eric, is played outstandingly by dashing Carter Crosby.  Mr. Crosby is the prototype of a Disney prince and played the role adroitly. His movements about the stage and his demeanor throughout the production also exhibit his fine acting skills. Mr. Crosby’s romantic ballad “Her Voice” and “One Step Closer” where he teaches Ariel to dance are beautifully performed with rich, clear vocals. 

This performance was reviewed the evening following the No Kings nationwide protests.  In this case, we will make an exception with King Triton. Adam Grabau hits the mark as the widowed King Triton, the strict but caring father of his youngest daughter Ariel. Attired in a nautically themed lavish costume including a wild, eye-catching crown and carrying a lit trident, the King opposes Ariel’s ascent to the surface and her collection of human things as he views all humans as fish-eating threats to his undersea kingdom. But in the end, the king chose the love for his daughter over retaining power.

Ursula (Lynn-Sharp Spears with Jetsam (Joey Ellinghaus
and Flotsam (Shane Lowry)

Commanding on stage, Mr. Grabau’s muscular baritone is displayed in “If Only (Triton’s Lament)” and later he is featured in a quartet with Mr. Mr. Crosby, Ms. Middleton and Elijah Henderson as Sebastian in “If Only (Quartet”).

Mr. Henderson as Sebastian, a crab, is comical and campy. A veritable scene-stealer, Sebastian is a servant of King Triton and is assigned to watch over Ariel and helps Ariel charm Prince Eric.  His spot-on tenor is evident in group numbers “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.”

The aforementioned evil Ursula is played mischievously by Lynn Sharp Spears (a great name for the theme of this musical).  She lures Ariel into trading her beautiful voice for legs so she can rise to the surface and reel in Prince Eric. Ms. Spears effectively delivers the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and the reprise of that number towards the end in a dramatic, action-packed scene.

Jeffrey Shankle as Scuttle, a gull, does his usual strong performance in this comic role. Scuttle can’t quite get his facts or his words quite right, but Mr. Shankle sings well in the group number “Positoovity” and again in “Positaggity.”

Consistently amusing Toby’s audiences, David James portrays Grimsby, a loyalist to Eric. His mission is to see that Eric fulfills a promise made to his deceased father—a king—that he will marry a princess. Mr. James performs admirably in the group numbers “Beyond My Wildest Dreams” and “The Contest.”

Nicky Kaider, who was sensational in Toby’s presentation of Jersey Boys, energetically plays Flounder, Ursula’s companion and who accompanies her on searches for human artifacts.  With graceful movements around the stage joyful dialogue, Mr. Kaider performs proficiently with the Mersisters—Ariel’s siblings—in a wonderful song and dance number “She’s in Love.”

And then there is David Bosley-Reynolds as the comical Chef Louis. In a hilarious scene, he tries to capture Sebastian and cook him for dinner. During the action, Mr. Bosley-Reynolds sings “Les Poissons.” Mr. Bosley-Reynolds possesses a magnificent theatre voice with great projection and articulation in both song and dialogue.

Rounding out the excellent cast are the Ensemble performers Jaylen Fontaine, Patricia “Pep” Targete, Rachel Cahoon, Kiana King, Margaret Kelly, MaryKate Brouillet, Walker Vlahos, Alexix Krey-Bedore, Brandon Bedore, Vince Gover, and Benjamin Campion.

What makes Toby’s productions so consistently high quality is the ability to cast the right people into the roles involved with each musical. There are a number of factors that go into this, such as performers’ availability, talent levels, etc. But Mark Minnick and his associates have found a way to succeed over the years.

With Disney’s The Little Mermaid, under Mr. Minnick’s direction, the talent is there to make this lighthearted show enjoyable for all ages. You will love this show and buffet hook, line and sinker.

 Running time. Two hours and 40 minutes with an intermission.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid runs through August 17, 2025, at Toby’s the Dinner Theatre, 4900 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia, MD 21044.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 410-730-8311or visiting Tobysdinnertheatre.com. Next up: Saturday Night Fever, August 22 through November 2.

Photos Jeri Tidwell Photography

The Menu can be found here.

Specialty Drink: The Dinglehopper