In a statement Disney producer Thomas Schumacher said, "We are delighted to announce Sierra Boggess is our Ariel. She is a thrilling young talent and I am certain audiences will discover that she was destined to play the beautiful young mermaid."
Actress Boggess added, "I am so excited to be able to play this role. Ariel is such an iconic Disney princess and to be able to bring her to life on the stage is a dream come true for me!"
In addition to Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular, Boggess has been seen in the national tour of Les Misérables as well as regional productions of West Side Story, The Boyfriend and Pirates of Penzance. She created the role of Binky in productions of Princesses at Goodspeed and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre.
The Little Mermaid will play a pre-Broadway engagement at the Denver Center Attractions at Ellie Caulkins Opera House beginning July 26. Performances will play through 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.
Additional casting will be announced shortly. "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 the musical, 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 to the Denver run will go on sale March 18. Visit www.denvercenter.org for details.
For more information visit Walt Disney Theatricals on-line at www.disneyonbroadway.com.
