(Ivins, UT) The majestic red rock cliffs of Southern Utah will be magically transformed into an underwater fantasy of epic proportions as Tuacahn Center for the Arts presents the regional premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, beginning next summer. Tuacahn will also present the acclaimed musical Grease which will run in repertory with The Little Mermaid from the first of June to mid October, 2011.
This announcement comes as Tuacahn is in the middle of its most successful season featuring Disney’s Tarzan, CATS and the Gershwin musical comedy Crazy for You. Tarzan, based on the Disney film, is breaking all box office records, even surpassing Tuacahn’s 2008 production of Les Miserables. “The success of Disney’s Tarzan has contributed to receiving the rights to produce Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” says Scott Anderson, Tuacahn’s Artistic Director.
In its production of Disney’s Tarzan, Tuacahn has ten fly lines that carry actors over the audience, across the stage, and 867 feet above the canyon floor. The production also makes use of the venue’s famous waterworks. “The unique ability we have to move more than 18,000 gallons of water per minute creates the flood scene that sets the stage for the beginning of Tarzan,” says Kevin Warnick, Tuacahn’s Managing Director. Tuacahn plans to enhance and add to its waterworks effects for The Little Mermaid.
In preparing for Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Tuacahn has assembled a creative team who are developing several unique production elements that will take full advantage of Tuacahn’s outdoor environment. “Audiences coming to see The Little Mermaid will see the stage and surrounding area shift between underwater and land scenes through a combination of exciting special effects,” Mr. Anderson said.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid will perform each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from June 3 through October 14, 2011 and Grease will perform every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from June 9 through October 15, 2011. Ticket prices for adults will range from $29 to $59 and for children from $23 to $49.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid is based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Book by Doug Wright. Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. Tuacahn’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be directed by Scott S. Anderson, and is presented at Tuacahn through special arrangements with Music Theatre International and Disney Theatrical Productions.
Tuacahn opened in 1995 and has been entertaining audiences with professional, Broadway-caliber theatrical productions each year. The amphitheatre, which has 1,920 seats, is also used for Tuacahn’s annual spring and fall concerts. This year more than 160,000 guests will visit Tuacahn as new attendance records have been established with its productions of Disney’s Tarzan, Cats, and Crazy for You, the Gershwin musical comedy. Tuacahn is located in Ivins, Utah, near St. George in the southwest corner of the state. Tuacahn is approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas near Interstate 15.
Tuacahn Amphitheatre is a major contributor to the Southern Utah economy as nearly 60% of Tuacahn’s guests visit from outside the region. These guests stay in hotels, dine in restaurants, shop at local businesses, sightsee and participate in many of the additional tourism activities the area has to offer. “With our record-breaking attendance this season, we anticipate that guests visiting Tuacahn this year will contribute more than $40 million to the area economy,” Kevin Smith, Tuacahn’s CEO said. “The impact to the area’s economy could reach more than $50 million next year as we expect even more guests with great shows like Grease and Disney’s Little Mermaid,” Smith added.
This fall Disney’s Tarzan continues each Monday, Wednesday and Friday through October 15, while Crazy for You performs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through October 16, 2010.
Tickets for Tuacahn’s 2010 and 2011 seasons are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.tuacahn.org or via telephone at 435-652-3300 or toll free 866-321-8051.
Tuacahn Center for the Arts is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Tuacahn Amphitheatre
www.tuacahn.org
