Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2025

The new production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse captivates audiences with spectacular stagecraft, emotive music and a tribute to the creators of the Disney Renaissance: Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

A modern fairy tale on stage: The Little Mermaid comes to life once more

When Disney classics make their way onto the theatre stage, magical moments often ensue – and that is precisely what the renowned Paper Mill Playhouse is currently achieving with Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The musical runs from 29 May to 29 June 2025 and is not only a visual highlight but also a milestone in terms of inclusion, music and theatre culture. The emotional depth of the characters, the technical effects and the lovingly arranged music allow the audience to immerse themselves in Ariel’s world – more intensely than ever before.

This stage is becoming a springboard for a new generation of performers – very much in keeping with the Broadway spirit that the Paper Mill Playhouse has embodied for decades.

What makes this production of *The Little Mermaid* at the Paper Mill Playhouse so special

The new production is based on the well-known Broadway version, but enhances it with modern lighting technology, imaginative costumes and inclusive theatre. Performances featuring subtitles, sign language interpreters, audio description and autism-sensitive support impressively demonstrate how accessibility can be achieved in the cultural sector. This approach to *The Little Mermaid* at the Paper Mill Playhouse is not only progressive – it is forward-thinking and should serve as a model for other theatre productions.

A particular highlight is the balance between tradition and innovation: whilst well-known songs such as ‘Part of Your World’ and ‘Under the Sea’ evoke nostalgic goosebumps, there are new scenes and expanded characters that deepen and modernise the production.

Alan Menken & Howard Ashman: The Fathers of the Disney Renaissance

Alan Menken’s music and Howard Ashman’s lyrics form the emotional heart of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Their creative genius shaped an entire era: The Disney Renaissance, which began with Ariel in 1989, led to an unprecedented series of musical masterpieces such as *Beauty and the Beast* and *Aladdin*.

Howard Ashman brought his understanding of theatre, whilst Alan Menken contributed his musical finesse. Together, they defined a new form of musical film – strongly narrative, rousing and emotionally moving. In particular, the so-called ‘I Want’ song ‘Part of Your World’ became the prototype for many later Disney numbers.

From Ariel to Broadway: what young talents can learn

For young musical theatre students – for example, at the Musicalschule Ahrensburg – Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse is more than just a show: it is a learning example of stage presence, vocal expression and character development. Anyone playing Ariel, Ursula or Sebastian must not only be able to sing, but also convey emotions authentically – very much in keeping with the musical legacy of Menken and Ashman.

In the lessons at our musical school, this is exactly what we focus on: voice, acting and self-confidence – so that young artists can bring the stage to life.

Cultural significance: Why this production is more than just a fairy tale

*The Little Mermaid* at the Paper Mill Playhouse is a classic with depth. It deals with identity, transformation and the desire for freedom – themes that remain highly relevant today, over 30 years after its initial release. This is precisely why the production of *The Little Mermaid* at the Paper Mill Playhouse is so important: it not only reinterprets the fairy tale but also makes it relevant to today’s generations.

The music enhances this depth. Melodies such as ‘Küss sie doch’ and ‘Les Poissons’ lend the production a sense of lightness without losing sight of its message. The variety of musical styles – ranging from Caribbean and Broadway to classical ballads – showcases the breadth of the Disney musical.

Interesting facts about Disney’s The Little Mermaid

• 📽️ Film: IMDb entry for the 1989 original
• 🎵 Stream: Disney+ offers the original and the remake
• 📚 Background: Biography of Howard Ashman
• 🎭 Stage: Official website of the Paper Mill Playhouse

Verdict: The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse – A production full of heart, depth and magic

Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse is more than just a musical – it is a declaration of love for the theatre, music and the power of stories. The production shows just how relevant a classic can be when treated with creativity and respect. It reminds us of what theatre can achieve – emotionally, aesthetically and socially.

We recommend this to all students, families and musical theatre fans: Take a look at the videos of this production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse, or use them as inspiration for your own artistic journey – perhaps even here at the Musicalschule Ahrensburg

.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse – CAST:

Hillary Fisher – Ariel
Mark Doyle – Prince Eric
Haven Burton – Ursula
Kyle Taylor Parker – Sebastian
Graham Rowat – King Triton
Jared Goldsmith – Scuttle
Aubrey Matalon – Flounder
Sean Patrick Doyle – Flotsam
Nick Cortazzo – Jetsam
Christopher Gurr – Grimsby
David Baida – Chef Louis

Ensemble:
Caleb Bermejo, Kelsey Myron Cauthen, Tzintli Cerda, Jonathan Duvelson, Caroline Kane, Alexandra Matteo, Michael Milkanin, Mia Nelson, Justin O’Brien (3), Charlie H. Ray, Lily Rose, Taylor James Rosenberger, Kaitlyn Louise Smith, Richard Westfahl, Peli Naomi Woods.

Paper Mill Playhouse: A breeding ground for Broadway talent and home to great musicals

From regional theatre to a national force: the Paper Mill Playhouse has established itself as a creative hub for musical theatre productions – often serving as a springboard for Broadway successes.

Where is the Paper Mill Playhouse – and what makes it so special?

The Paper Mill Playhouse is situated in Millburn, New Jersey – just around 30 kilometres west of New York City. Despite (or perhaps because of) its location outside Manhattan, it is a major centre for musical theatre in the USA. Founded in 1934, it began as a summer theatre but, over the decades, has developed into one of the most important venues for new musicals and Broadway adaptations.

Many shows that went on to enjoy great success on Broadway or Off-Broadway were developed, tested and refined here – with an audience that is critical yet open to innovation. This combination makes the Paper Mill Playhouse an indispensable institution on the American theatre scene.

A high-quality testing ground for Broadway

Much of the Paper Mill Playhouse’s reputation stems from its role as a so-called ‘pre-Broadway stage’. Here, new productions are staged under professional conditions before potentially making their way to Broadway. Productions such as *Newsies*, *Honeymoon in Vegas* and *A Bronx Tale* all got their start right here.

Its proximity to New York enables the theatre to recruit top talent from the city – including directors, choreographers, set designers and performers with Broadway experience. At the same time, thanks to public funding and sponsors, the theatre is able to stage high-quality productions without the pressure to achieve commercial success in the initial phase – as was the case with *The Little Mermaid* at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

A home for new voices – and new stories

The Paper Mill Playhouse is actively committed to diversity, inclusion and nurturing young talent. Among other things, it offers the ‘Theatre Education Programme
’ for young people and a ‘New Voices Programme
’, which provides a stage for up-and-coming talent. For many young musical theatre performers, this is the first step towards a professional career – comparable to an audition at the Musicalschule Ahrensburg.

The stage thus becomes a place of learning, a creative laboratory and a cultural platform – a triad that scarcely exists in this form in the German-speaking world.

Awards and national significance

In 2016, the Paper Mill Playhouse was awarded the ‘Regional Theatre Tony Award’ – a prestigious prize awarded only once a year. This officially ranks it amongst the best theatres in North America. It thus stands alongside venues such as the La Jolla Playhouse (California) and the Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis).

The theatre also sets standards in the areas of accessibility and cultural participation: Special performances featuring sign language, audio description, subtitles and autism-sensitive support are firmly established in the programme – much like in the new production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

What German musical schools can learn from the Paper Mill Playhouse

For young talents and musical theatre students – such as those at the Musicalschule Ahrensburg – the Paper Mill Playhouse serves as a role model. It demonstrates that high-quality productions can also be created outside Broadway, that creative development takes time, and that a supportive environment is vital. But it also demonstrates just how relevant musical theatre is to social discourse – from inclusion and diversity to arts education.

We encourage our students not only to dream big, but also to seek out specific role models – and the Paper Mill Playhouse is one of them.

Conclusion: A stage for talent, ideas and new approaches

The Paper Mill Playhouse is more than just a theatre. It is a place where musicals are not only performed, but created. It is a catalyst for new ideas, a safe space for experimentation – and often a first step towards Broadway. For musical theatre enthusiasts, creative minds and young talents worldwide, it remains a source of inspiration.

Whether as an audience member, performer or producer – a visit or a glimpse behind the scenes at this extraordinary venue is definitely worthwhile: The Little Mermaid at the Paper Mill Playhouse.