Of course a dance company called “Metamorphosis” would present The Little Mermaid, one of the greatest shape-shifting stories in the canon. (My top three are Little Mermaid, Swan Lake, and Kafka’s own Metamorphosis.) It makes sense that they would tackle the transformative tale of a mermaid longing to be human. The gracefulness of dance fits well under the sea. Who else but dancers could flow like underwater dwellers? Who else but ballerinas could dramatize the unique torment and romanticism of being willing to trade comfort for unrequited love? Because there’s no Disney-fied dramatics here. Instead of being part of your world, Metamorphosis is showing all the pain and pleasure of Hans Christian Andersen’s original gruesome text. Brace yourself for a not-so-happy ending, shown in the most lovely ways. – Cat McCarrey
April 25-26