Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd

Award Winning Director of The Pollard Presents The Little Mermaid, a Re-Imagined Classic

…..by Adrienne Proctor with Elizabeth Hurd

W. Jerome Stevenson Photo courtesy NewsOK Archives

The Governor’s Arts Awards is one of the prestigious awards given to individuals for their service to the community in arts.  For many years W. Jerome Stevenson has been leading the Pollard Theatre with incredible and diverse talent, down to earth practicality and profound integrity. Stevenson has been honored with the Community Service Award this year. Stevenson wears many hats, and the hat tree that can actually hold the number of hats he wears has not yet been designed.  He requires an entire coat closet to hold his hats. He is a master of sound, lighting, set design and choreography. He is a superlative director, engaging and brilliant actor, mesmerizing dancer, and he can croon with the best.  But he really can’t do all of those things all at exactly the same time, so he must lend his hat to another on some occasions, and he always knows who has the head that will perfectly fit the hat, (project) he is working on. He tries to delegate to those with greater ability than he, because he is also a humble man who actually believes that someone else might do it better.  No one can actually do it better, but some folks can do things as well.

That’s why Stevenson was nominated and earned  the Community Service Award from Governor Fallin just as spring was about to arrive.  As February faded and the doldrums of March begin to dissipate we have a wonderful treat to look forward to seeing.  A wonderful treat because someone with a Community Arts Award from the Governor under his hat is directing “The Little Mermaid” and that is W. Jerome Stevenson.  Now, this is a big show that requires the director to be in two or three places simultaneously. We know Stevenson can do two but he draws the line at three. So, part of the time, he is lending his director’s hat to someone with equal skill and that person will co-direct alongside him. But who, who could equal Stevenson? Aha, right there in the Pollard Company is a man we all love nearly as much and respect equally as well—that man is Timothy Stewart!  With the two of them co-directing “The Little Mermaid”, Disney will be jealous.

Emily Paige Cleek, Ariel Photo Courtesy of Pollard

Long before Frozen, Moana or the Princess and the Frog, young girls and boys of the 90s grew up with Ariel. Disney’s The Little Mermaid, based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen story of the same name, was an instant hit in 1989 and remains one of their most popular musicals even today. The love story of Princess Ariel and her beloved Prince Eric was accented by the iconic musical numbers, written by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. The beloved movie was developed into a book by Doug White, which became a Broadway musical in 2008. The musical received two Tony Award nominations, and later launched a national tour.

Cory King, Ursula Photo Courtesy of Pollard

Now, ten years after the show’s original Broadway debut, the wonderful Pollard Theatre is getting their chance to present this iconic musical. The Pollard never disappoints, and is always offering new takes on well-known stories. This time is no different. Stevenson says that their vision for this re-imagined version is “simple, paired down, and imaginative.” Never wanting to leave their audience behind, their goal is to bring them along as they tell the story.

This production is also special in that it’s particularly geared towards children. Children’s Theatre offers a unique opportunity for The Pollard and The Little Mermaid. Young viewers are encouraged to applaud, sing, and interact with the show as their imaginations are engaged. Stevenson promises that this version will be fun for children and their parents, saying that, for their company, “It’s never about the spectacle.” This scaled down version intends to focus on the tale as more of a hero story, shedding a new light on the mermaid princess. In the original telling, Ariel is portrayed as a young girl who throws away the only life she’s ever known for a Prince she’s never met. The Pollard’s version will be perfect for parents who want their young daughters and sons to experience a coming of age story. This one will focus less on the flattened, tired idea of teenaged rebellion and lean more toward the aspects of self-discovery, positivity and acceptance.

Stephen Hilton, King Triton Photo Courtesy of Pollard

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, presented by The Pollard Theatre, stars Emily Page Cleek as Princess Ariel, Stephen Hilton as King Triton, and Cory King as Ursula. Introducing Griffin Maxwell and Brandon Stalling. Also starring, Phoebe Butts, Jamie Hughes, Emily Pace, and Jared Blount. Choreography is by Chelcy Harrell. Costume design is by Michael James.

The Little Mermaid runs April 13th – May 5th at The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison, Guthrie, OK. For tickets, visit thepollard.org or call the box office at 405-282-2800. Ages 5 and up.