WORLD PREMIERE

Dive into a neon-drenched, upbeat reimagining of a classic story—and a Broadway-meets-ballet experience like you’ve never seen before.

Ballet Fantastique’s long-awaited Little Mermaid: An 80s Pop Ballet is the latest project from award-winning BFan Choreographer-Producers Donna Marisa and Hannah Bontrager—set to a live, electrifying soundtrack of iconic ’80s hits performed by hip new LA band Neon Revival.

Meet Eileen, a brave young mermaid with defiant dreams and a voice that stops time. When she makes a daring pact with the cunning sea sorceress Roxanne (“Come On, Eileen”!), Eileen joins a human world bursting with high-stakes romance, synth beats, and unexpected transformation. This is your happily ever after…with a twist!

Featuring all-new choreography, era-inspired 80s couture by some of the PNW’s most visionary designers, and a vibrant fusion of pop nostalgia with BFan’s signature theatrical storytelling, Little Mermaid: The ’80s Pop Ballet is a bold addition to the company’s genre-defying new dance theater canon.

Music

DUKE ELLINGTON’S EPIC JAZZ NUTCRACKER, plus other holiday classics!

ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS & ARRANGEMENTS FROM DUKE ELLINGTON, GLEnn MIller + MORE.
ORIGINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR BALLET FANTASTIQUE BY STEVE SHARP.

Showtimes — Hult Center

SATurday, NOVember 29, 2025 — 7:30 PM
SUNday, NOVember 30, 2025 — 2:30 PM

Run Time: 102 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission
Suggested Ages: 3+

TICKETS $22-120 ($15-65/EA FOR STUDENTS & YOUTH)
AVAILABLE NOW!

“Danced to Duke Ellington’s jazzy... Nutcracker Suite, this retro-glam contemporary ballet loosely weaves together various characters from Mother Goose nursery rhymes into a Christmas-themed dance extravaganza. Choreographed by the mother-daughter artistic team of Donna Marisa and Hannah Bontrager, this reimagining of Babes in Toyland will transport back to the technicolor holiday television specials of yore...”
— JUMANA CHIARINI, Oregon Arts Watch

Theater info

SILVA CONCERT HALL, Hult Center, Eugene (OR)

Creative/concept team

Choreographer-Producers
Donna Marisa & Hannah Bontrager

Original Concept, Libretto

Inspired by Victor Herbert’s 1903 operetta, reimagined for the ballet by BFan’s Donna Marisa & Hannah Bontrager with Deborah Speer

Costume Design & Construction

Donna Marisa Bontrager, Allison Ditson, Noelle Guetti with Primadonna Tutus (LA)

Set Design

Kelle DeForrest with Mike Ricker

ARTISTS OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE IN BABES | PHOTO: bob williams

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