NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Look at This Stuff!" A Week at California Music Circus With Little Mermaid Star Jessica GrovéBroadway favorite (and new mommy) Jessica Grové, who stars as Ariel in The Little Mermaid at Sacramento's Music Circus, takes Playbill readers behind the scenes at the famed in-the-round venue.
By
Matthew Blank
July 18, 2012
Last seen on Broadway in A Little Night Music, the singing actress is spending part of her summer in Northern California, lending her talents to the stage adaptation of Disney's classic animated movie of the same name.
With son Gavin in tow, she takes us around the Wells Fargo Pavilion and shows how a Disney Princess and her undersea castmates get it done.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Look at This Stuff!" A Week at California Music Circus With Little Mermaid Star Jessica Grové
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Look at This Stuff!" A Week at California Music Circus With Little Mermaid Star Jessica Grové
Broadway favorite (and new mommy) Jessica Grové, who stars as Ariel in The Little Mermaid at Sacramento's Music Circus, takes Playbill readers behind the scenes at the famed in-the-round venue. Read the Playbill.com story.
37 PHOTOS
Morning cup of coffee (and an attempt to tan my legs.)
Jessica Grové
Patrons arriving before the matinee.
Jessica Grové
The outside of the Wells Fargo Pavilion
Jessica Grové
Shelly Cohen, our stage management PA, greets us at the door.
Jessica Grové
A lovely opening night message from the Holland production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Jessica Grové
Kevin Smith Kirkwood (Sebastian) gets his mic (and his caffeine buzz)
Jessica Grové
Jack Doyle (Scuttle) waits for his wig, John B. Williford (Ensemble) taking photos and Ron Wisniski (Grimsby) giving Playbill a million dollar smile!
Jessica Grové
Makeup artist Sarah Wolfe bedazzles Merwin Foard (King Triton)
Jessica Grové
Jack Doyle (Scuttle) before getting his beak.
Jessica Grové
I’m here, too! Hello Playbill readers!
Jessica Grové
My gorgeous costume, designed by Mark Koss.
Jessica Grové
Transforming into Ariel
Jessica Grové
Intermission - eating a kale and beet salad I made.
Jessica Grové
Brushing the kale out of my teeth while Sarah puts shimmer on my human legs.
Jessica Grové
Between shows, feeding my little guy Gavin some beets. We are a beet-eating family!
Jessica Grové
Bath time! Grandma will put Gavin to bed, and back to the theatre I go.
Jessica Grové
Back at the theatre for the evening show - putting on my Disney Princess eyelashes.
Jessica Grové
The very handsome and talented Eric Kunze (Prince Eric) and the very handsome and talented Maestro Craig Barna.
A quick hello to the very talented male ensemble dressing room: Eric Gunhus (Chef Louis), Jeff Kuhr, John B. Williford, Ivory McKay and Michael McGurk.
Jessica Grové
Henry Hodges (Flounder) showing off his yellow undies, while Melissa puts my wig on.
Jessica Grové
Henry with his skater boy Flounder wig (still in his yellow undies!) breaking hearts and taking names.
Jessica Grové
Becoming Ariel again.
Jessica Grové
Visiting our beautiful ladies in the ensemble as they prepare for the second show (Bradley Benjamin and Jenny Florkowski)
Jessica Grové
Alexa Glover checks her phone and Lisa Rohinsky waits to be zipped up.
Jessica Grové
Jack Doyle (Scuttle) is ready to fly!
Jessica Grové
Vicki Lewis’ tentacles await her.
Jessica Grové
Jellyfish and stingray puppets.
Jessica Grové
Waiting in “the wings” with Henry for the show to start.
Jessica Grové
Michael McGurk, in his ocean camouflage, looking like a sort of superhero.
Jessica Grové
Intermission: Luke Hawkins gets his gull on.
Jessica Grové
Scott Leiendecker (Flotsam) gets touched up.
Jessica Grové
Some of the fantastic wigs (designed by Christine Conklin)
Jessica Grové
Some of our wonderful wardrobe staff at their table.
Jessica Grové
An intermission hug from Kevin Smith Kirkwood!
Jessica Grové
Scott Leiendecker (Flotsam), Ben Roseberry (Jetsam) and Jack Doyle (Scuttle) relax in their dressing room during intermission.
Jessica Grové
I sign some autographs after the show.
Jessica Grové
A fan of the movie and the musical has a tattoo of Ariel and Flounder on her calf! Hey if you find yourself in Northern California, we run through the 22nd!
The cast of The Little Mermaid, which features direction by Glenn Casale, choreography by John MacInnis and music direction by Craig Barna, includes Grové as Ariel, Henry Hodges as Flounder, Merwin Foard as King Triton, Kevin Smith Kirkwood as Sebastian, Eric Kunze as Prince Eric, Ron Wisniski as Grimsby, Jack Doyle as Scuttle, Scott Leiendecker as Flotsam, Ben Roseberry as Jetsam, Vicki Lewis as Ursula and Eric Gunhus as Male Ensemble (Chef Louis).
The remainder of the season will include The Music Man (July 31-Aug. 5), Fiddler on the Roof (Aug. 14-19) and Crazy for You (Aug. 28-Sept. 2). The Music Circus season is presented by California Musical Theatre under the direction of executive producer Richard Lewis.
The Music Circus is located at 1419 H Street in Sacramento, CA. Subscriptions are now available; call (916) 557-1999 or visit www.californiamusicaltheatre.com for more information.
A new scholarship will send three young writers to the 2026 International Thespian Festival to work directly with Playbill on coverage of the week-long event.
