Artist Spotlight: Meet Savy Jackson of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

For each of our seven productions this season, our Artist Spotlight feature will highlight one Muny star for you to get to know a little better. Before and during the run of each show, we’re sharing photos, videos, interviews and other exclusive content to better build the connection between our audience and the performers who grace our stage.

This week, we introduce you to Savy Jackson, who stars as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which runs July 8-16 and is proudly sponsored by Edward Jones.

“It’s my first show at The Muny and my first time doing a show in 11 days,” Savy says. “I’ve heard of this infamous Muny magic. I’m believing in it. I’m trusting in it.”

Savy recently made her Broadway debut in the original company of Bad Cinderella, in the titular role every Sunday. Other credits include the national tour of Once on This Island, Marian in Hood (Asolo Repertory Theatre) and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Geva Theatre).

Before arriving at The Muny for rehearsals, Savy did a lot of preparation on her own. She doesn’t remember much about Disney’s 1989 animated The Little Mermaid and hasn’t seen the 2023 live-action remake, so she’s coming at this production with fresh eyes.

“Reading the script for the first time, it felt like I’m attacking a new role,” she says. “I’ve just felt like it’s a childhood dream coming true playing this role, even though I didn’t grow up obsessed with Ariel.”

Savy says the storytelling and themes of the show are relevant today — especially “the aspect of needing love and the father-daughter relationship.”

The last Muny production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid was in 2017, so many young people in the audience could be experiencing the beloved tale for the first time. It could also be a first theatrical experience for many.

“I get to just be myself onstage, which I love,” Savy says. “The most exciting thing for audience members is to see people be their full selves onstage. So I think that, if I’m doing my job right, it will come across really well, and people will be impacted by the story.”

Prepare to journey under the sea with Savy and the rest of the cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid! Until then, here’s a peek behind the scenes.

Go into the Muny rehearsal studio with Savy as she sings a selection from “The World Above.” Music Director/Conductor Annbritt duChateau accompanies on piano.

Savy talks with Broadway World about making her Muny debut in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Read the interview.