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The True Story Behind The Little Mermaid: A Tale of Sacrifice and Redemption

The Little Mermaid is one of many stories that Disney has reimagined, turning it into a whimsical and fun adventure filled with catchy songs and memorable characters. However, Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale offers a deeper look at love, devotion, and sacrifice—giving audiences much to ponder. This is why Metamorphosis Dance has chosen to bring this beautiful story to life through dance.

One of the many differences between the versions lies in the character development of the mermaid sisters. In Andersen’s story, each sister is captivated by different aspects of the world above the ocean. One is enamored by the stars, a dreamer imagining her future. Another cherishes the warmth of the sun on her skin, drawn to light and touch. Two sisters are fascinated by nature—the glittering icebergs and soaring birds—showing their deep appreciation for the world they are part of and their desire to protect its beauty. Then, there is the Little Mermaid, whose love of humanity is evident in her rescue of the prince and, ultimately, in her self-sacrificial choice to save someone she loves. These unique character traits provide our dancers with rich theatrical elements to explore in their performances.

The storm and transformation scenes in The Little Mermaid are dramatic in both versions. However, as a dance company, our challenge is to convey these moments through abstraction. Dancers become the waves, crashing around the prince and Little Mermaid in the storm. Through athletic, vigorous movements, they bring to life the fierce unpredictability of the ocean and the struggle to survive such an ordeal. During the transformation scene, dancers embody the magic the sea witch conjures to turn the Little Mermaid’s fin into legs. With foreboding music, dramatic lighting, and powerful choreography, the dancers create the energy that makes this metamorphosis possible. These scenes demand complete emotional investment, and our dancers love the sheer abandon of movement as they lose themselves in the story.

The most significant difference between Andersen’s tale and Disney’s adaptation is, of course, the ending. In the Disney version, the Little Mermaid gets her happily ever after, remaining human, defeating the sea witch, and reuniting with her family. In contrast, Andersen’s original story presents a more poignant conclusion. The Little Mermaid’s sisters strike a deal with the witch—if she kills the prince, she can return to the sea. But she refuses. Though the prince does not return her romantic feelings, she has come to love him deeply, like a sister. Rather than harming him, she sacrifices herself. Because of this selfless act, she transforms into a Daughter of the Air—a spirit who earns a soul through good deeds rather than dissolving into sea foam.

At Metamorphosis Dance, storytelling is woven into our DNA, and we are drawn to tales of redemption. The Little Mermaid has given us the perfect storyline to embody this theme. Our production features a breathtaking musical compilation of film scores and neo-classical composers, transporting audiences into another world from beginning to end.

Join us at the Penfold Theater for this unforgettable performance: Click here for tickets.
📅 Friday, April 25 at 7:30 PM
📅 Saturday, April 26 at 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM

Come experience The Little Mermaid like never before—a story of love, sacrifice, and transformation told through the power of dance.

The Nutcracker: The Importance of Storytelling

General / Melanie Kregel

Our season opens in December with The Nutcracker, a time-honored tradition in ballet companies worldwide. Classical ballet has built its foundation on storytelling for centuries, because it reflects a universal human experience. Stories connect us across age, race, culture, religion, and gender. Through storytelling, we unite, and the narratives we tell convey our significance.

But why do we keep telling the same story? The original tale of The Nutcracker, based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” follows a young girl named Clara (or Marie, in some versions) who receives a wooden nutcracker doll as a Christmas gift. On Christmas Eve, the Nutcracker comes to life and, with Clara’s help, battles the evil Mouse King and his army of mice. After the battle, the Nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince and takes Clara on a magical journey to the Land of Sweets, where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and entertained by dancers from various countries. The story often ends with Clara returning home, suggesting it was all a dream.

Over the years, this ballet has taken many forms. For instance, the Joffrey Ballet’s reimagined Nutcracker places the story in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair, focusing on a young immigrant girl’s journey. Similarly, Donald Byrd’s The Harlem Nutcracker sets the ballet in 1920s Harlem, blending classical ballet with jazz and swing, and celebrating African American culture during the Harlem Renaissance.

Dance styles have also varied—Mark Morris’ The Hard Nut transports the story to a suburban 1970s setting with modern dance and a playful, satirical tone, while Jennifer Weber’s Hip Hop Nutcracker places the ballet in a contemporary urban landscape, using hip hop dance styles to retell the classic tale. Another striking version is Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!, which begins in a grim orphanage before transitioning to a surreal, candy-colored dreamland, offering a quirky, modern twist on the traditional ballet.

While some may prefer traditional versions, fearing that changes dishonor the art form, I believe innovation and reinterpretation are what keep classical ballet relevant. In recent history, ballet has been accused of becoming irrelevant and inaccessible, but as curators of this art, we have a responsibility to respond with creativity.

At Metamorphosis, we’ve experimented with The Nutcracker by putting our own twist on it in a few ways. Our first attempt, Suite Dreams, incorporated the traditional Act 2 “Land of the Sweets” variations but ended with Clara being transported to a modern-day party in her dream. We introduced characters like “wallflowers,” “audiophiles,” and the “spicy” friends who liven up any gathering. A few years later, we reversed the story: starting with the party scene, featuring the same characters, and ending with a traditional Act 2. Over time, our version has continued to evolve, and now we’ve arrived at a version that uses the original ballet score while correcting problematic themes we felt responsible to address.

In our production, Clara is a young adult eager to experience the world. With guidance from her aunt, her dream is realized as she travels to different countries, just as in the traditional ballet. However, instead of perpetuating stereotypes through movement and costumes, we’ve taken creative license to honor and respect the cultures of these countries by drawing on their authentic histories. We hope to connect our audience with the universal theme of finding purpose and taking the necessary steps to achieve one’s dreams, as Clara does when she sets out to explore the world with her sister. Additionally, we explore relatable family dynamics, including parental disapproval, sibling bonds, and the tension that exists in many families. But most importantly, we love to tell stories of redemption and reconciliation. The Nutcracker is not the only ballet where you’ll see us making artistic choices that emphasize hope.

Come experience it for yourself on December 6-7 at the Penfold Theater in Round Rock. Click here to secure your tickets, and we’ll see you at the show!

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