A Must Sea Ballet

State Street Ballet, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, made quite a splash with the world premiere of its latest highly entertaining production The Little Mermaid – based on the classic 1837 fairytale of Hans Christian Andersen – at the Lobero.

Choreographed by Artistic Director Megan Philips and Executive Director Cecily MacDougall the nautical adventure shows the principal character, delightfully played by Amara Galloway, relinquishing her mermaid’s tail for legs to be able to walk on land, but loses her ability to speak with Sign Language incorporated into the work.

The lighthouse keeper, played by Ethan Ahuero, is father to a beautiful daughter played by Bronwyn Waterfall, who is deaf and teaches the mermaid the art of signing.

The on-land location is Ireland rather than Denmark for the energized second act, with the show opening underwater with larger-than-life puppets of jellyfish and even a giant stingray designed by Christina McCarthy of UCSB’s Dance and Theater Department.

Sorcha, the Sea Siren who gives the mermaid the ability to live on land, is menacingly played by Arianna Hartanov.

There is even a new score composed by Charles Fernandez and played by the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra under capable maestro Brian Asher Alhadeff. Kudos also goes to set designer Jane Hamor and costume designer Olivia Mason.

The Little Mermaid was a “must sea.”