Under the Sea

Ready for a sea change? Disney’s The Little Mermaid celebrates its official Broadway opening at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on January 10. The musical features Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s songs from the animated movie such as “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Under the Sea,” as well as nine new tunes co-written by Ashman and lyricist Glenn Slater. Broadway newcomer Sierra Boggess plays the title role, with co-stars including Norm Lewis, Sherie René Scott, and Tituss Burgess.

Vital Children’s Theatre brings back its smash hit, Pinkalicious, the Musical (New World Stages, beginning January 12). The title character just can’t stop eating pink cupcakes, resulting in Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe. While this might worry most people, it’s a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. Based on the book by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann, the show features music and additional lyrics by John Gregor.

Vital also has something new: A (Tooth) Fairy Tale, playing at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre (January 19-February 24). It works off of the premise that even the Tooth Fairy needs a vacation. But when she switches places with a boy named Oliver who is sick and tired of being a kid, nothing goes as planned. The tuner features a book by Ben Winters, with music and lyrics by Rick Hip Flores.

AMAS Musical Theatre serves up its world-premiere musical Wanda’s World (January 16-February 10) at the 45th Street Theatre. This tween-oriented show, directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett, stars Sandie Rosa as Wanda Butternut, host of a hit TV talk show where kids call in to get advice about solving their own problems. But can Wanda solve her own unique problem?

The venerable TADA Youth Theater kicks off its 24th season with The Perfect Monster (January 18-February 18), a musical by Janine Nina Trevens and Deirdre Broderick about a lonely girl who decides to make the perfect friend in her basement — and ends up with a lab full of monsters.

Tony winner John Lithgow stops by the New Victory Theater January 18-20, for a concert based on his bestselling children’s books and CDs, including his most recent album, The Sunny Side of the Street. The New Victory also hosts Luna Negra Dance Theater from January 25-February 3. The company, which is making its New York City debut, blends both classic and contemporary dance with Latino forms.

Italian troupe Teatro del Carreto presents Biancaneve (La MaMa E.T.C. January 12-27), the timeless tale of Snow White told using human actors, paper-mache creatures, and animated characters.

There’s lots of family-friendly entertainment out in Long Island. Disney on Ice brings its treatment of the popular animated film Finding Nemo to the Nassau Coliseum, January 9-13. Two versions of Cinderella can be seen this month, the first from Plaza Theatrical Productions at The Showcase in Bellmore (January 5-19), and the second at The John W. Engeman Theater in Northport (January 19-February 17).

Broadhollow Theatre has a trio of children’s shows at its various locations: Dorothy and friends follow the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz (Broadhollow, January 5-26); Aesop’s Fables (Studio Theatre, January 5-26) incorporates seven of the famed fabulist’s tales; and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves tells the classic fairy tale of the fairest of them all (BayWay Arts Center, through January 26).