I had sketched a rehearsal of The Little Merman from the Black Lagoon written and directed by Christian Kelty. I was happy I then got a chance to see the production live at Stonewall Bar Orlando (741 W Church St, Orlando, Florida 32805.) Karaoke was going on downstairs and I had to ask the bar maid where I could find the Merman. She directed me to the upstairs bar. I ordered a beer and started sketching the bar and a palm tree covered swamp scene which I assumed was the backdrop for the adventure to follow. I met someone I had sketched meditating at Veg Fest. I am always happy when people introduce themselves since I tend to blend into the woodwork as I sketch.
A three piece band was set up complete with a theremin which is that science-fiction sounding instrument that is played by just waving our hands over it. The slithering sound began and the show began. The Little Merman from the Black Lagoon is a mash up of the 1950s horror film Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid. The discovery of an aquatic human hand lead researchers, Julie (Jenn Gannon) and Richard (Scottie Campbell) to explore the Black Lagoon thanks to the funding of (Timmy Walczak) who was the chauvinistic financial backer of the trip. The boat’s captain, navigated the treacherous waters thanks to a boat wheel that thrust out of his pelvis like a phallus.
At rehearsal I had only seen the first half of the show. I was shocked by how the violent conclusion of the show. The Merman eventually got his legs but had to give up his voice. That resulted in a huge monster of a green man who sounded like the Frankenstein monster. He was truly menacing when he grunted and his long awaited interactions with humans didn’t go as he had imagined.
The staging was tight being between two rows of patrons seated at the bar and along the windows. But the cast used this narrow walkway of a stage to great advantage. The folks across from me where smiling ear to ear and so was I. This was a fun premise and very entertaining.
The show run had been completed, but there is one more encore performance happening on Sunday May 5, 2019 at 1pm at Stonewall Bar Orlando (741 W Church St, Orlando, Florida 32805.)
Tickets are:
$20 in advance
$25 at the door
Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Seating is extremely limited for each show.