Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...As for Disney's The Little Mermaid, the House of Mouse was smart enough to know the original would not have legs as a splashy, feel-good musical. Instead, we get an inevitable happily-ever-after from Alan Menken (music), Doug Wright (book), and Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater (lyrics). But in the charming Music Theater Works production co-directed by Stacey Flaster (who also shares choreography duties with Matthew Weidenbener) and Joshua Castille, that happy ending comes with a lightly conveyed but emphatic message children and adults would do well to consider."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The message of The Little Mermaid of never giving up on your goals and dreams is still a vital message we should continuously teach our young generational stars that hold the world in their hands today. The human world is indeed a mess, and with life under the sea being better than anything they got up there, Music Theater Works, The Little Mermaid is a must-see! And if it is above the sea."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Walking into the North Theater of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, you will find a pre-stage area with a mermaid on a half-shell, cozy tables and a trinket stand selling "thing-a-ma-bobs" which would fascinate any child. Enter the theater itself and Bob Silton's (Production Manager), Shane Cinal's (Scenic Designer) and Ellen Marcus' (Props Designer) set design, pulls you into Ariel's underwater world, with oceanic artifacts suspended above and a rippling silken column center-stage."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...From a book by Hans Christian Anderson and the Disney cartoon, Little Mermaid is a beautiful love story about Ariel who dreams of being human and goes up to land against the wishes of her father King Triton. She meets and falls in love with a prince named Eric and sells her soul and voice to the evil Ursula with of course a Disney happy ending."
Chicago On Stage - Recommended
"...I have always been a huge Disney fan. As a child, I loved the animated classics, and Mary Poppins is still one of my all-time favorite movies. Like everyone else, though, I was aware of the sagging quality of the studio’s animated films in the 70s and 80s. So, like everyone else, I was left absolutely marveling at 1989’s The Little Mermaid, the movie that kick-started the second age of Disney that is still going strong today (though it could be argued that the current version of Disney is at least a third age). The sweet, poignant tale, with its lively animation, its humor, and wonderful Howard Ashman/Alan Menken score, made my 32-year-old self a Disney lover all over again."
Splash Magazine - Recommended
"...Overall, The Little Mermaid is a very enjoyable experience to see live, and I promise that you will leave the theater clapping, dancing and singing along to the music under the sea. Come see this show before it leaves-you won't be disappointed!"
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...The best of these is a new introductory aria for Ariel, "The World Above," which Joselle Reyes brought off charmingly, although on opening night, sometimes slightly under pitch at the end of phrases. The Prince (Nathan Karnik) was also a bit pitchy in his introductory number. Both looked their respective parts but there was little chemistry between them so the love aspect of the show seemed to never quite get out of the water."
