Trumpets resurfaces with retelling of the “Little Mermaid”
Long before the red-haired Disney version of the “Little Mermaid” made waves in pop culture, Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale told a darker, poetic story about sacrifice and the cost of love.
In the 1990s, Trumpets retold the story through Princess Jewel, a mermaid tasked to fulfill her duties, tempting sailors to jump overboard and become slaves to the sea. Instead, she falls in love with a human prince named Christian and is lured into a deal with the sea witch Crustacea. She trades her voice for human legs and is given three days to make the prince fall in love with her. But what happens when the prince sees Jewel as just a friend?
With the music, characters, and storyline that spins a twist on the classic fairy tale, Trumpets Playshop is bringing the story back to stage with “Playhouse: Little Mermaid” at the RCBC Plaza theater on July 26.
Enter Crustacea, the sea witch
Sweet, bubbly, and effervescent, with multiple emojis in every message, Tara Imperial unexpectedly plays Crustacea, the ex-star sea witch of Aquatica.
Imperial is stepping into her biggest role yet, one that comes with a showstopping solo. “It’s been so exciting! This is my first time playing a major role with a big musical number, and honestly, Crustacea is such a fun, larger-than-life character to dive into (pun 100 percent intended),” she says.
With such a sunny personality, the young actress welcomed the challenge of playing against a type. “I’ve always wanted to push myself outside the ‘sweet princess’ vibe, and this role lets me tap into something unexpected,” she says. “People don’t usually see me as the ‘evil’ type, so getting to play against that has been a hilarious and rewarding challenge.”
But she also admits that it hasn’t been easy to switch gears. “Besides nailing her song, the biggest challenge is embodying Crustacea’s sassy, sharp-edged personality when I’m usually bubbly and positive in real life,” she shares.
And beneath Crustacea’s villainous flair lies something far more human. “Crustacea has a relatable side: the fear of fading into the background, of no longer being ‘the next big thing.’ And let’s be honest, we all know what it’s like to want something so badly we’re tempted to go a little overboard.”
Offstage, Imperial’s love for performance and community doesn’t stop at Aquatica. She’ll also be part of the “Spot On! Cabaret” this Aug. 19 at District One Gastrolounge, celebrating the show’s one-year anniversary. The event doubles as a fundraiser, with proceeds going toward the medical bills of a friend in need, proof that for Imperial, the stage can go beyond applause and can be about making a difference, too.
Small-scale, big splash
While Trumpets’ production isn’t powered by a massive budget, what could have been a limitation is part of its magic. “Since it’s a small production with a modest budget, we’ve all been super creative making the most of props and staging, which I think will surprise and delight the audience!” Imperial exclaims.
With a score featuring original Trumpets songs like “You Can’t Cross Crustacea,” “Soul Song,” “Silent Song,” and “Duet for One,” the show’s emotional impact is anchored in its fresh and homegrown Filipino storytelling.
The musical is directed by Nelsito Gomez, with musical direction by Jay Pangilinan and choreography by Julio Laforteza. It is part of the Trumpets “Swim With Playshop” series, a celebration of youth theater and original Filipino musical works.
Trumpets, a theater group known for its family-friendly, often Christian-based productions, is known for weaving strong values into their productions (something that made their shows a favorite of my mom’s while I was growing up).
With the case of the “Little Mermaid,” the musical goes beyond the romantic and fantastical, diving deeper into moral questions, with values that really anchor down on selfless love, too.
Tickets for “Playhouse: The Little Mermaid” at the RCBC Plaza theater on July 26 are available through the Trumpets Playshop Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/trumpetsph
