Hamptons Theater Review: Center Stage At Southampton Cultural Center’s “The Little Mermaid”

Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid is great live stage entertainment for the whole family – all with wonderful singing, dancing and costumes. I sat in my seat and was thoroughly entertained by a show that has delighted families for generations. Kudos to Bethany Dellapolla for putting forth a show that delivers millions of dollars of production numbers with such pizzazz on a SCC budget.

Sitting up front I was most impressed with the singing of Hannah Faye Huizing in her leading role of Ariel. Her voice range, tone, and vibrancy is Broadway caliber. She owned the stage and there is no doubt that Hannah Faye Huizing can really deliver these Disney classic songs.

Even more amazing are the performances of both Adam Franc as Sebastian and Jonathon Fogarty as Scuttle. Both were Tony Award winning performances. They really are that good. They own the production. They both have a certain command, confidence, and gravitas that just transformed the show to a whole other level when they strutted about the stage.

Michael Dowd gives his all with his performance of Prince Eric. He won over the audience with his steadfast demeanor and wonderful singing.

I cannot write another line without giving a shout out to Katrina Lovett for her Costume Design. Especially Sebastian’s lobster claws!

A musical has so many moving parts that makes it a sin not to mention the rest of the cast that sang and danced their hearts and souls out to make this show a success.

Accolades and kudos to Kimet Speed as Ursula, Zoe Engeldrum as Flounder, John Tramontana as King Triton, Josephine Wallace as Grimsby, Winslow Ryan and Alexandra Behmoiram as Flotsam and Jetsam, and Michaal Lyn Schepps as Chef Louis. The cast also features Bethany Trowbridge, Amy McDougal, Holly Robinson, Rebecca Trowbridge, Ryleigh Morton-Boone, Sarah Sireci, Davianna Trowbridge, and Aubrie Dimon.

About Aubrie Dimon, who by the way is just 10-years-old, she steals the stage with her natural acting skills. I want to go on record saying there is a huge, bright future for this little one. She is a star already.

For SCC Center Stage fans, seeing Josephine Wallace is always a treat, although I don’t recall her ever quite tackling a role such as Grimsby. Yet, she shows her skills and polish as a seasoned stage performer.

Lastly, I want to congratulate Bethany Dellapolla on her first full-time big-time SCC Center Stage musical. I watched the audience appreciate her effort with that wonderful sound of applause, laughter and genuine enjoyment. Folks go to musicals to be entertained and this SCC production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid does just that.

The Little Mermaid will run from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 27, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. I personally can’t wait to witness and review Bethany Dellapolla’s first directing/choreographing project for Center Stage.

Southampton Cultural Center is located at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton. For more information, visit www.scc-arts.org.