FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Dirty Little Mermaid, a new rock and roots musical, is brewing with the finest local ingredients
CONTACT: Kristen Evans, thedirtylittlemermaid@gmail.com
(September 14, 2022) A brand-new musical is brewing in New Orleans – The Dirty Little Mermaid, an original rock and roots twist on the sordid old fairy tale that promises to take audiences to the bottom of the Mississippi River and back again in an epic and irreverent story of water, garbage and revenge. It brings together two forces from the New Orleans theater scene, collaborating once again. Pamela Davis-Noland (Chemin du Bayou, Badu-izms: A Tribute to Erykah, The Lily’s Revenge, New Orleans Fringe Festival) and Kristen Evans (New Orleans Fringe Festival, The Palanquin Diaries) are joined by an exceptional and diverse cast of actors, singers and musicians from across the city, including Rhonda Dents (Queen Sugar), Jarrell Hamilton (Tall Girl 2, The Lily’s Revenge), Kerry Cahill (The Thing About Pam, The Walking Dead) andTodd D’Amour (Airline Highway, The Lily’s Revenge).
“This is no kid’s fairy tale. Just imagine yourself immersed in the very essence of our seductive and sometimes seedy city with all of its colorful characters. That’s what The Dirty Little Mermaid is. It’s like the Fringe Festival … on crack!” says Davis-Noland, who is directing the show.
The musical dives into the dark history between the Mississippi River and a great City on her banks. “For ten years, I lived two blocks from the Mississippi River, but could hardly see her. I wanted to tell her story. Along the way, I think I ended up telling a little bit of my own.” Evans, who wrote the script and the lyrics, left New Orleans shortly after the birth of her daughter and after the New Orleans Fringe Festival closed.
The music was inspired by cabaret stars, street buskers and burlesque bars, from funk to punk, with rock, roots and blues. Music director Shelby Herbert says: “The spirit and energy of New Orleans flows from the music in the show, acting as a glue to connect diverse genres together to create something unique, new, and very relevant. It’ll slink its way into your head, and you’ll be singing the River’s blues for days on end.” Herbert co-wrote the music with Evans and Jody Mosser.
The cast and musicians are presenting a reading with full band and vocals at the Marigny Opera House on Monday, October 3 at 7 pm. The reading is preparation for a future full production. Audiences 18+. No charge, but seating is limited, so please contact thedirtylittlemermaid@gmail.com if you are interested in attending. More info at www.dirtylittlemermaid.com.