Based on the children’s classic, Ballet Excel Ohio’s rendition of “The Little Mermaid” is a modified version of the Hans Christian Andersen original.

The beautiful music used for this ballet is by French composer, Andre Messager (1853-1929).  First performed by BXO in 2012, talented choreographer, Tom Gold brings back a crowd favorite to the Akron Civic Theatre.

A universally heartwarming story of youthful adventure, light romance and a quest for togetherness, the two main characters brave obstacles despite coming from very different worlds of land and sea.

The timeless message of true love and the battle of good versus evil are embraced by audiences of all ages as the story unfolds:

A young, adventurous mermaid rescues a shipwrecked young prince and realizes her happiness can only be with him.  The Angelfish characterizes the caring best friend of the Little Mermaid, attempting to keep her ward out of trouble, representing the voice of reason as her love struck friend finds herself caught in her misadventures.

The relentless young mermaid is unstoppable as she bargains with the evil sea witch for human legs and in exchange gives up her beautiful golden harp around her neck.  All may seem happy and “forever after” as the Little Mermaid captivates the humans, dancing in the palace grand ball with her newly acquired human legs and in the arms of her beloved prince.

The evil plotting sea witch decides to ruin the union and mar the celebration of young love, destroying the joyous fete and harming the young mermaid, leaving the prince helpless in battling the witch and her army of sinister ocean creatures.

The ever powerful love of a mother, the Sea Queen saves the day when she and her army of sea horses triumphantly foil the Sea witch’s evil doings and ultimately gives her blessing, allowing the Little Mermaid to be with her prince, a mother’s love sacrifice for her daughter’s ultimate happiness.

“The ballet opens on a live 1942 USO radio show being produced in Akron, Ohio.  The audience shares in the patriotic fervor such a show created through its use of song, music and dance numbers.”