The Little Mermaid fable by Hans Christian Andersen is a depressing love story, but in the end conflicts resolve when the mermaid is granted an afterlife. It is no surprise that Disney remade the story by twisting its end into a happy one. In either version the stories about this mythical creature are fascinating to both children and adults. Whatever the spin Mark Diamond puts on his premiere of The Little Mermaid, it will be different. The ballet performance will feature stunning moves, decorative costumes and a mermaid who finds her feet. $27-$69. 2 p.m. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2008.
