The Little Mermaid: Faith Prince assumes the role of 'Ursula'

As previously announced, Tony Award winner Faith Prince assumes the role of 'Ursula' in Walt Disney's Broadway musical The Little Mermaid from 7 Apr 2009.

Prince will assume the role from Heidi Blickenstaff who played her final performance on 5 Apr 2009. The role of 'Ursula' was created on Broadway by Sherie Ren� Scott.

Prince won a Tony Award for her portrayal of 'Miss Adelaide' in 'Guys and Dolls' (1992 revival). She was last seen on Broadway when she played 'Aggie' in 'A Catered Affair' for which she received her third nomination for a Tony Award.

The Little Mermaid opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 10 Jan 2008, following previews from 7 Nov, and is currently booking through to 11 Oct 2009.

The show now features Sierra Boggess (Ariel), Faith Prince (Ursula), Sean Palmer (Prince Eric), Norm Lewis (King Triton), Rogelio Douglas, Jr (Sebastian), Eddie Korbich (Scuttle), Jonathan Freeman (Grimsby), Derrick Baskin (Jetsam), Tyler Maynard (Flotsam) and, Trevor Braun and Brian D'Addario (alternating as Flounder).

The Little Mermaid is loosely based upon the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Ariel, youngest daughter of King Triton, is dissatisfied with life in the sea. She longs to be with the humans above the surface, and is often caught in arguments with her father over those 'barbaric fish-eaters'. She goes to meet Ursula, the Sea Witch, to strike a deal, but Ursula has bigger plans for this mermaid and her father.

The Little Mermaid is directed by Francesca Zambello and features choreography by Stephen Mear. The creative team includes set design by George Tsypin, costumes by Tatiana Noginova and lighting by Natasha Katz and sound by John Shivers.

The score features the 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 winner Alan Menken and his frequent collaborator, the legendary Howard Ashman. There are 11 new songs by Mr. Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The book for the new musical is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwright Doug Wright.