PRESENTED BY:

SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Book by
Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell

Music and Lyrics by
Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick

Conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick

Originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum
Broadway Global Ventures CMC Mastro/Goodman Jerry & Ronald Frankel, Morris Berchard, Kyodo Tokyo, Inc. Wendy Federman Barbara Freitag LAMS Productions Winkler/DeSimonem Timothy Laczynski Dan Markley Harris/Karmazin Jam Theatricals Robert Greenblatt and Jujamcyn Theaters 

Developed in association with the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA, David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director, Bernadine Griffin, Managing Director and Bill Berry, Producing Artistic Director

Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

SPECIAL THANKS

Cast

ARIEL – Mary-Catherine Brunson
PRINCE ERIC – Dylan Walton
GRIMSBY – Mark Cawood
FLOUNDER – Marrett Fisk
SCUTTLE – Connor Jones
KING TRITON – Rob Massey
SEBASTIAN – Absalon Richardson
FLOTSAM – Victoria Cox
JETSAM – Lauren Brenk
URSULA – Addie Sheek
CHEF LOUIS – Beonka Edwards

ENSEMBLE
Charlotte Bates, Lauren Brenk, Lydia Brown, Savannah Brown, Lauren Elizabeth Constant, Cassidy Darner, Lainey Dickson, Heather Elliot, Alison Fanning, Genavieve Goss, Claire Hudson, Elijah Lloyd, Cade MacTaggert, Lia McLaughlin, Emmylou Owens, Amelia Ryea, Brian Ryea, Ben Stasiek, Blaire Williams

Meet the Cast

Charlotte Bates (Ensemble) is a 6th grader who has previously performed in several upstate productions including as Marta in The Sound of Music (Anderson University), as Young Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde (Mill Town Players), as Matilda in Matilda the Musical (GCT), as Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical (Market Theatre), as Chip in Beauty and the Beast (CLT), and as Lulu in Waitress (Broadway Tour). She’s excited to be back in the park with The Market Theatre and hopes you enjoy The Little Mermaid!

Lauren Brenk (Jetsam) This is Lauren’s second full show with Market, following The Music Man last season. A lifelong musical theater enthusiast, she jumped into last year’s 24-Hour Musical with encouragement from her husband, Logan, and their kids, Killian and Phoebe. Outside the theater, Lauren is a registered nurse and aspiring yogi who’s usually listening to Broadway Musicals or true crime podcasts.

Lydia Brown (Mersister/Princess) is excited to make her return to the stage with Market Theatre's park performance, The Little Mermaid. She holds a B.F.A in Fine Arts with a dance concentration. Lydia has only been in Anderson, SC, for a little over a year and previously performed at The Queen Street Playhouse in Charleston, SC, in shows such as Head Over Heels and Singin' in the Rain. Though it has been years since she has performed, she appreciates the open arms that have received her at Market Theatre and is, hopefully, looking forward to working with them in the future. When not rehearsing, Lydia works for Clemson University and always has her nose stuck in a book. She is appreciative of her family and fiancé for pushing and supporting her to return to her passion.

Savannah Brown (Mersister/Princess) is thrilled to be a part of another Market Theater production! This will be her second time performing in the classic show, The Little Mermaid. Savannah has been in several musicals at Southern Wesleyan University, where she is working toward a vocal performance degree. Additionally, she has been in a few shows here at Market. Most recently, you may have seen her as “Countess Lily” in SWU’s Anastasia production or “Spider” in James and the Giant Peach in last year’s park show. She is grateful for the opportunity to perform alongside such a talented cast. She looks forward to bringing this magical story to life once again. 

Mary-Catherine Brunson (Ariel) is a rising senior at T.L. Hanna High School. She is an Anderson native, but you might have seen her in several shows across the upstate. Some of her favorite credits include Anna (Frozen Jr., Clemson Little Theatre), Belle (Beauty and the Beast Jr., Clemson Little Theatre) Karen Smith (Mean Girls, Mauldin Cultural Center), Winnie foster (Tuck Everlasting, Project Challenge Playhouse), Abigail (Starbright, Centre Stage), and being in the ensemble for Spongebob the Musical and Godspell at South Carolina Children's Theatre. She wants to thank the whole production team and cast for making this experience so magical and fun! She can’t wait to bring her favorite Disney princess to life and hopes you enjoy!

Mark Cawood (Grimsby) loves doing outdoor theatre! Favorite parts from previous outdoor shows include JD Drew (Hands on a Hard Body), Stephano (The Tempest), Harry Bright (Mamma Mia!), and The Wolf (Shrek), all Market Theatre productions. When he is not doing theatre, Mark teaches math at Clemson University. He is truly grateful to his wife and his two sons for all their love, support, and advice!

Lauren Elizabeth Constant (Ensemble) This is Lauren Elizabeth’s first show at Market Theatre! She’s been involved at the Greenwood Community Theatre since she was 11 years old and served on the exec board during her time with Off Off Broadway at the University of South Carolina. Since moving back to the upstate, she’s been seen as Hermia and Robin Starveling in Greenwood’s 2021 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Joy in Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and most recently as The Scornful One in Nora Jones’ production of Woman’s Honor by Susan Glaspell. She’d like to thank Capri’s Italian of Greenwood for giving her so much time off, and is incredibly appreciative of her guests who have tipped extra because they know she’s been in rehearsal. 

Victoria Cox (Flotsam) is excited to be another little villain in The Little Mermaid! You may have seen her in past Market productions, as well as leading some of the summer camps we have each year! When she is not at rehearsal, you can find her at Starbucks making your favorite drinks or doing homework to complete her Elementary Education degree. She would like to thank her mom and her stepdad for always driving to see her on opening night and being her biggest supporters! Get ready to take a fabulous journey under the sea!

Cassidy Darner (Ensemble) This is Cassidy's first park production at Market Theatre! She did theatre all 4 years of high school and is very excited to be a part of a theatre group again. After graduating from Wren High School in 2021, she went to Paul Mitchell for cosmetology school and graduated from there in 2022. For the last 3 years, she has been working on building her career as a hairdresser and is currently working at Ulta Beauty. Her dream job is to do professional hair and makeup for theatre productions such as these. 

Lainey Dickson (Ensemble) is so excited about being part of her first show at Market Theatre.  She just finished Glenview Middle School and will be headed to T.L. Hanna this fall to start her freshman year. Her previous roles at Hart County Community Theatre include Lydia in Beetlejuice Jr., Robertson Ay in Mary Poppins, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and Brigitta in the Sound of Music. She has had so much fun traveling under the sea with this cast and appreciates the opportunity to be a part of such a talented group of people.

Beonka Edwards (Chef Louis) returns for her first musical after a 14-year musical theatre hiatus. During the break, she has enjoyed raising two happy daughters. While Beonka participates in shows, she really loves being in the audience, cheering on her fellow actors and appreciating all their hard work coming to fruition. Her recent credits include The Tempest at Carolina Wren Park, Barbecue with Market Theatre, and A Raisin In The Sun at Greenwood Community Theatre.

Heather Elliott (Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to the stage since 2019 and making her upstate debut with Market Theatre! She’s the current director of the Theatre program at D.W. Daniel High School, where she has recently directed shows like Hadestown: Teen Edition, Anne of Green Gables, Legally Blonde, and Clue (You won’t want to miss their upcoming fall production: Trap by Stephen Gregg!) While earning her degree at Clemson University, she also assisted with various productions such as The Laramie Project and She Kills Monsters. When not rehearsing, you can probably find Heather curled up with her two cats, a London Fog, and a good book. She’d love to thank her family and fiancé for their endless support, and hopes you enjoy the show! 

Alison Fanning (Ensemble) returns to the stage after a 20-year hiatus since college. Her credits included Chicago and The Fantastiks. She is excited that her first foray back into theater is such a well-loved show that was a large part of her childhood. 

Marrett Fisk (Flounder) is very excited to be in her first performance at the Market Theatre as part of The Little Mermaid cast. Marett played Young Elsa in Frozen, Jr. at the Clemson Little Theater and performed in Southern Wesleyan’s Sondheim Showstoppers. Marett made it to the national round of NATS. When she isn’t acting, she is dancing on Clemson Elite Dance Center’s competition team. Marett thanks her friends and family for supporting her.

Genavieve Goss (Mersister/Princess) is currently in the process of earning her Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance with a concentration in vocal performance. She has participated in choir, orchestra, voice lessons, and musical theater since she was 10 years old. She studied vocal performance under Meagan Long at Powdersville High School, Phyllis Pancella at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Deidre Welborn at Anderson University. Before college, she took voice lessons with Jamie Wright at the Fine Arts Center of Easley. She will be in her Junior year of college in the Fall of 2025. Her favorite productions that she has participated in previously include Into the Woods as Cinderella, The Little Mermaid Jr. as Ursula, and the opera Maria do Rohan.

Claire Hudson (Mersister/Princess) is so excited to be making her Market debut in this production! Some of her previous credits include: Katherine Plumber (Newsies), Marcy Park (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Florence/Dance Captain (Bright Star). This fall, Claire is headed to Coastal Carolina University to get her BFA in Acting. She would like to thank her family, boyfriend, and friends for their unwavering support!

Elijah Lloyd (Ensemble) is happy to be a part of this production of The Little Mermaid. Elijah made his debut with Market Theatre as Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh and Young Charlie in Kinky Boots. In Elijah’s last production, Singing in the Rain, Jr., he played the role of Dexter at Southwood Academy of the Arts. Elijah is also the first chair trombone in Southwood’s award-winning band.

Cade MacTaggert (Ensemble) is thrilled to make his Market Theatre debut in this production of The Little Mermaid. Cade has years of experience in theatre throughout Greenwood County. His most notable roles include Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical, Timon in The Lion King Jr., and Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast. Cade is excited for audiences to experience this absolutely stunning production of The Little Mermaid. He would like to thank his GCT family for always being loyal supporters. Cade looks forward to continuing his journey with the Market Theatre.

Rob Massey (King Triton) is excited to be performing for the first time with The Market Theatre. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Lander University in 1995 and took a break from performing to focus on his career in higher education, being a father, and other hobbies. With his kids all grown up, he returned to the stage in 2022 in Southern Wesleyan University's production of Titanic as J. Bruce Ismay. He has also played Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, Skye Masterson in Guys and Dolls, King Triton in The Little Mermaid, R. F. Simpson in Singing in the Rain, and Commissioner Gorlinksy and Count Leopold in Anastasia. Rob is grateful for his wife's love, patience, and understanding during all the rehearsals and time away from home.

Lia McLaughlin (Ensemble) is excited to be part of this amazing cast! This is her second production at Market Theatre; she was a member of the ensemble in last summer's production of James and the Giant Peach. For the past four years, Lia has participated in Market Theatre's summer camps. She has been dancing since she was three years old and is currently a member of the Electric City Dance Arts competition dance team. This Fall, Lia will be starting sixth grade at Southwood Academy of the Arts. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of theatre with the community!

Emmylou “EL” Owens (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her Market Theater debut! She was previously seen in I Never Saw Another Butterfly with Project Challenge. Although this is her first full production with Market Theater, Emmylou is no stranger to the stage—she has participated in many Market Theater Summer Camps over the years. She is excited to be part of this production and grateful for the opportunity to perform with such a talented cast and crew.  

Absalon Richardson (Sebastian) is an Anderson native with a BS in Music Education from Lander University. His acting credits include Spotlight and 26 Pebbles (Lander Players), Oklahoma and Suessical (Greenwood Community Theatre),  RENT, Kinky Boots, Rock of Ages, The Rocky Horror Show (Market Theatre) Coming off his last show at Market as the Minstrel in Something Rotten, Absalon is excited to be a part of a phenomenal project with such a talented, hardworking cast and crew.

Amelia Ryea (Ensemble) is very excited to be in this cast and show! She has always loved theater and is very happy to finally be on stage. When Amelia is not on stage, she can be found with her friends, playing her tuba, or relaxing at home. Amelia is a rising 7th grader at Glenview Middle School.

Brian Ryea (Ensemble) is very excited to be a part of this show and cast! He is appearing with his daughter, Amelia. This is the first show at Market Theatre for both of them. Brian also has a son, James. When not on stage, Brian can be found at home, on the golf course, or working.

Addie Sheek (Ursula) is honored to step into Ursula’s tentacles in her Market Theatre debut. A lifelong lover of storytelling, she’s honed her craft on the stage, as a television news journalist, and as a nonprofit marketing director.  People say she has lived many lives and worn many hats, or was it that she’s worn many hats during many lives? Eh, whatever sounds better. Her favorite roles include Mrs. White in Clue: On Stage (GCT), Mama Murphy in Bright Star (GCT), Don John in Much Ado About Nothing (GCT), Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress (TAP, GA), and Cheryl in The Taffetas (Stage Door Theatre, GA). She recently enjoyed music directing Moana Jr. at Greenwood Community Theatre. Heartfelt thanks to her husband, Lance, for his endless support, and her family for cheering her on down the yellow brick road at age five to chase her dreams. Soli Deo Gloria! 

Ben Stasiek (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at Carolina Wren Park for another summer show! You may remember him as Young Shrek and Baby Bear here a few years ago—one of his favorite memories. When he’s not on stage, Ben enjoys military history, building Legos, camping, reading, and video games. This summer, he’s headed to Interlochen Arts Camp for six weeks to study musical theatre and perform in The Secret Garden. Favorite past roles include Bruce in Matilda (SCCT), Young Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde (MTP), LeFou in Beauty and the Beast Jr. (CLT), and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (MTC).

Dylan Walton (Prince Eric) is excited to be performing in his first Market Theatre production! He is entering his Junior year as a Performing Arts Theatre Major at Clemson University. His most recent roles were the “Steward” in Into the Woods, “Laurie” in Little Women with the Clemson Players, and the “Shepherd” in The Farce of Pierre Patelin. When not performing, Dylan enjoys playing games, spending time with friends, and rock climbing. He would like to thank Diane and the production team for this incredible opportunity. Special thanks to Grimsby for support, and whenever he needed a ride to or from rehearsals.

Blaire Williams (Windward) is a rising 8th grader at McCants Middle School. She is excited to return to the Market Theatre, especially for a show in the park! Her past credits include The Wizard of Oz, The Matchmaker, Finding Nemo Jr., I Never Saw Another Butterfuly, The Addams Family, Honk, and Beauty and the Beast at Project Challenge Playhouse, as well as James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, Junie B Jones (Jingle Bells Batman Smells), and Annie at the Market Theatre. Her dream opportunity would be to play one of the Queens in Six the Musical! Blaire is also a member of the competition hip hop team at Electric City Dance Arts and is on the McCants Middle Cheerleading squad! She has had the best time working with this cast and is thankful for the friendships she has made! Enjoy the show!!

Meet the Production Team

Sarah Bear Alvarez (Props Designer) holds a BA in Theater from Anderson University and recently graduated with her masters in Props Technology from Ohio University. In addition to being a props artisan, she is also a theater educator, a co-artistic director of the South Carolina Experimental Theatre Initiative, and even dabbles in lighting design. Her favorite projects are ones that stretch her imagination, creativity, and ingenuity. She is beyond grateful that she gets to live out her childhood dreams as her career, and even more grateful to her family for their immense support. Her most beloved credits include Medea (Properties and Lighting Design) at SC Experimental Theatre Initiative, The Wizard of Oz (Properties Master) at Greenwood Community Theater, Escape Room! (Showrunner) at Tantrum Theater, and Shining Girls (Properties Master) at Ohio University. Outside of theater, she is also known for being a huge Swiftie and hides Taylor Swift easter eggs in every show she works on. 

Thomas Cawood (Lighting Designer) Thomas is a theatrical design major at SCSA and resident lighting designer at The Market Theatre. He loves reading, baking, and spreadsheet making. Upcoming projects include working as a production electrician at Flat Rock Playhouse this summer and fall. See his work here at thomascawood.com

Kaitlyn Crocker (Crew)

Alison Duffy (Stage Manager/Sound Operator) is extremely excited to be working with Market Theatre! She is a graduate from the South Carolina School of the Arts, obtaining a B.A. in Theatre Directing with a minor in music. There, she has had the opportunity to direct works such as The Outsiders and The Last Five Years. Recent projects in the Upstate have been directing Dragons Love Tacos and music directing Hands on a Hardbody. Alison is so thankful for the opportunity to share The Little Mermaid with this community and is excited for you to experience it!

Lin Hagen (Costume Designer) is a retired middle school English teacher who has launched into a new avenue of fun with costuming. She has sewn since her kid days of making doll clothes and then her own outfits. Since retirement, she has costumed many of Anderson’s Shakespeare in the Park productions - Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, The Adventures of Pericles, and The Tempest. She has worked with Market Theatre and Anderson University on several productions and costumed the President’s Gala for two years. In her free time, she loves playing with her dogs, Charlie and Henry, yoga, gardening, reading, cooking, and a little traveling. She hopes you love seeing your favorite characters under the sea in The Little Mermaid.

Dr. Amber James (Music Director/Vocal Coach) is an associate professor of music and music department coordinator at Southern Wesleyan University. Currently, Dr. James teaches a range of courses at Southern Wesleyan University, including voice majors, vocal pedagogy, and diction. In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. James serves as the director for Student Productions and the University Singers. She recently directed Anastasia and will be directing The Prince of Egypt next year.

Diane Lee (Director) has been part of the visual and performing arts world since her dance teacher put her on stage as a 4-year-old dancing cowgirl and the spotlight hit her. She sang and danced her way through school in Kentucky, taught speech and drama for over 30 years at every level, and directed a myriad of plays and festivals in Lexington, Ky., and Anderson, SC. She co-founded the Project Challenge Performing Arts Gifted Program and directed for years at the Project Challenge Playhouse, her second home. In between teaching gigs, she was the Executive Director of the Anderson Arts Center and the Fine Arts Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts for Greenville County Schools. Twelve years ago, she “retired”, joining the GAMAC and Market Theatre Boards, producing all 6 of Market’s “Shakespeare in the Park” productions, gathering up the SCTA’s Arts Advocacy Award in 2017, and the Market Theatre’s “Arts Education Award” in 2023, becoming an Elder at North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian, and now finds herself “Under the Sea” with a delightful troupe ready to be ‘part of your world’. Thanks go to her steadfast, fabulous family, friends, and colleagues, without whom this journey would have been impossible.

Chris Liles (Crew/Spot Op) has previously appeared on the Market stage as Lord Clapham in Something Rotten!,  Benny Perkins in Hands on a Hardbody, Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys, Richard Bailey in Kinky Boots, Ron Miller in A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screen Play about the Death of Walt Disney, and was one of the players for the 2023 School Tour of Pinocchio. When not at Market Theatre, Chris is probably reading in a coffee shop somewhere. He is grateful to his family for their patience and understanding during late-night rehearsals.

Matthew McCaskill (Crew/Spot Op)

Emily Mitchell (Stage Manager) has been with the Market Theater company for the past two years. With a degree in Media Communication from Lander University, she is excited to return as the Stage Manager for The Little Mermaid. She also Stage-Managed The Rocky Horror Show, Jungle Book Jr., and Something Rotten! Some other work that Emily has done includes being the Production Assistant for the 24 Hour Musical for the past two years, Spot Operator for outdoor shows such as Tempest, Rock of Ages, and James and the Giant Peach. She was also part of the running crew for shows such as She Kills Monsters.

Jonathan “Thor” Raines (Assistant Director/Choreographer) counts The Little Mermaid as a highlight of his professional theatre career. Upstate theatre patrons may also remember him as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show (Market Theatre), Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical (Market Theatre), Jerry Jubilee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Greenville Theatre), and as a soloist in the yacht-rock revue Summer Breezin’ at Centre Stage. You can catch him next as the director and choreographer of Little Shop of Horrors at Market Theatre, and for any Tubi fans, keep an eye out for two horror movies coming out in the fall (spoiler alert: he won’t be in the sequels). Thor believes in the power and love that art can bring to a community, and thanks you for your support in that mission!

Evelyn Ruff (Makeup & Wig Designer) just graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, but she also gained experience as a makeup and hair designer during her time at the South Carolina School of the Arts. Some of her favorite shows she has designed hair and makeup for include Frankenstein (SCSA), The Rocky Horror Show (The Market Theatre), and Anastasia (The Greenville Theatre). She has had so much fun working on The Little Mermaid, and she hopes you enjoy the show! 

FROM THE MARKET BLOG

Welcome to the Renaissance: A Peek Behind the Curtain of Something Rotten! at Market Theatre

Article by Drew Kenyon