THE LITTLE MERMAID Receives Tokyo Premiere

Producer and President of Disney Theatrical Productions, Thomas Schumacher and Shiki Theatre Company announced today that they will continue their ongoing producing partnership with The Little Mermaid, which will open in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, April 7th, 2013 at Shiki's Natsu Theatre.

Along with the critically-acclaimed productions in Holland and Moscow, The Little Mermaid in Tokyo will be one of three currently running premiere productions of an entirely original version of the show. The production is being helmed by a creative team including director Glenn Casale (Beauty and the Beast) with set and costume design by five-time Tony® Award winner, Bob Crowley (Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Aida). The score features the classic songs: "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl" and the Academy Award®-winning Best Original Song, "Under the Sea," composed by eight-time Academy Award® and Tony® Award winner Alan Menken and his longtime collaborator, the late Howard Ashman, as well as 10 new songs by Mr. Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, with book by Doug Wright.

The Little Mermaid will mark the fourth collaboration between Disney Theatrical Productions and Shiki Theatre Company following the successful and current runs of Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and AIDA.