The Little Mermaid gets ready for its world premiere

The ensemble has been announced for the new Disney musical The Little Mermaid, which will make its world premiere at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts' Ellie Caulkins Opera House July 26 with an official opening Aug. 23.

As previously announced, Sierra Boggess will head the cast in the title role with Sean Palmer as Prince Eric, Norm Lewis as King Triton, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, Eddie Korbich as Scuttle, Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby, Derrick Baskin as Jetsam, Tyler Maynard as Flotsam, Cody Hanford and J.J. Singleton as Flounder and Sherie René Scott as Ursula.

The remainder of the cast will comprise Adrian Bailey, Cathryn Basile, Heidi Blickenstaff (Carlotta), James Brown III, Robert Creighton, Cicily Daniels, John Treacy Egan (Louis), Tim Federle, Merwin Foard, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Ben Hartley, Meredith Inglesby, Michelle Lookadoo, Joanne Manning, Alan Mingo Jr., Zakiya Young Mizen, Betsy Morgan, Arbender J. Robinson, Bret Shuford, Jason Snow, Chelsea Morgan Stock, Kay Trinidad, Price Waldman and Daniel J. Watts.

After its Denver run ends Sept. 9, the musical will arrive at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, current home of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Nov. 3 with an official opening Dec. 6.

"In a magical kingdom beneath the sea," reads Mermaid production notes, "a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father – the king of the sea – escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she's the girl with the perfect voice." The musical is based on both the Disney animated film and the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.

Francesca Zambello will direct Mermaid, which features songs penned by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman for the Disney film as well as 11 new tunes by Menken and Glenn Slater. Doug Wright has written the book for the musical.

The creative team also features Stephen Mear (choreography), George Tsypin (scenery), Tatiana Noginova (costumes), Natasha Katz (lighting), Angelina Avallone (make-up design) and David Brian Brown (hair design).

Tickets for the Denver run of Mermaid, priced $20-$74 (July 26-Aug. 22) and $25-$77 (Aug. 23-Sept. 9), are available by calling (303) 893-4100 or (800) 641-1222 or by visiting www.denvercenter.org

Tickets for the Broadway production will go on sale to the general public June 10.

For more information visit Walt Disney Theatricals on-line at www.disneyonbroadway.com