By Andrew Gans
02 Jun 2009

Chelsea Morgan Stock

Ariel understudy Chelsea Morgan Stock succeeds Sierra Boggess in the title role of Disney's The Little Mermaid June 2 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Boggess, who created the title role in the family-friendly production, played her final performance as Ariel May 31.

As previously announced, Drew Seeley, who played pop star Joey Parker in the romantic musical comedy "Another Cinderella Story," will play a limited engagement as Prince Eric June 9-Aug. 30. Sean Palmer, who created the role, will play the part through June 7 and return on Sept. 1.

The cast also features Faith Prince as Ursula; Norm Lewis as King Triton; Rogelio Douglas Jr. as Sebastian; Eddie Korbich as Scuttle; Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby; Tyler Maynard as Flotsam; Eric LaJuan Summers as Jetsam; Robert Creighton as Chef Louis; Trevor Braun and Brian D'Addario alternating as Flounder.

The Little Mermaid marked Chelsea Morgan Stock's Broadway debut. The actress has appeared in regional productions of A Year With Frog and Toad and Kiss Me, Kate. She received her BFA from the Boston Conservatory.

"In a magical kingdom beneath the sea," according to 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 (written and directed by John Musker & Ron Clements) and the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.

The Little Mermaid features songs penned by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman for the Disney film ("Part of Your World," "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," among others) as well as ten new tunes by Menken and Glenn Slater. Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, Grey Gardens) wrote the book.

The creative team includes Francesca Zambello (direction), Stephen Mear (choreography), George Tsypin (scenic design), Tatiana Noginova (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), John Shivers (sound design), Angelina Avallone (makeup design), Sven Ortel (projection and video design) and David Brian Brown (hair design). Associate producer is Todd Lacy. Fight director is Rick Sordelet. Technical director is David Benken. Production supervisor is Clifford Schwartz.

Dance arrangements are by David Chase, music coordinator is Michael Keller, orchestrations are by Danny Troob. Music direction, incidental music and vocal arrangements are by Michael Kosarin.

Disney Theatrical Productions is under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

Tickets for the musical are available by calling (212) 307-4747 or by visiting the Lunt-Fontanne box office at 205 West 46th Street.

For more information visit Walt Disney Theatricals at www.disneyonbroadway.com.