Directed and staged by Fact producer Jack Dyville, the limited engagement will continue through March 11.
The musical, featuring a book and lyrics by Dyville and music and lyrics by John Stutte, is presented in story-theatre form and follows Baum's first novel published after his famous "Oz" books. The Mermaids' Tale is part of the FACT Family Fiction series.
The cast includes David Gillam Fuller as the teacher and Capt’n Bill, Amy Marie Stewart as Trot, Kacey Cardin as Merla, Nicole DiMattei as Clia, Vicki Oceguera as Oceana, Maren Fischer as Aquereine, Marjorie Conn as King Anko, Charles Moran as Zog and Kyle Torrence as Prince Sacho.
The Mermaids' Tale, according to FACT, "involves a teacher who assigns his students a task of reading and reporting on a novel published in 1911, the year their school opened. To the surprise of both the students and teacher the class all choose the same book. As a result, they decide to do an impromptu play and set it in the 21st century in an all-singing, all-dancing 'Glee'-style production. Everyone, including the teacher and the school custodian participate in the tale of a sea captain who goes under the sea to investigate why 'no one who has ever seen a mermaid lived to tell the tale.' Their adventures involve a myriad of classic characters so much associated with Baum's books of fantasy."
Other members of the creative team include musical director Heather Edwards, scenic designer Rodrigo Bolenos, technology director Gus Ferrari and costume designer B. Michael Quale. The musical was first commissioned by the James Memorial Library of Williston North Dakota last summer for their Centennial Celebration and presented with students of Dyville and Fullers' summer theatre, Youth Education on Stage.
Performance times are Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.
The Great Room is located at 138 South Oxford Street. For more information and tickets, call (718) 389-8100 or (800) 838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.