MerBoy

by Fiona Rose Murphey

Like many disabled people, Larie, a young playwright, has reckoned with "The Little Mermaid"
for most of his life. Recently, he applied to adapt a new version of it for the stage, but gets
rejected. Injured in a wheelchair/mobility aid accident shortly after learning this—a somewhat common
occurrence in his life—he finds himself speaking with Ariel herself. Can they figure out how to
change their story—in...

Like many disabled people, Larie, a young playwright, has reckoned with "The Little Mermaid"
for most of his life. Recently, he applied to adapt a new version of it for the stage, but gets
rejected. Injured in a wheelchair/mobility aid accident shortly after learning this—a somewhat common
occurrence in his life—he finds himself speaking with Ariel herself. Can they figure out how to
change their story—in the ways that matter most?

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MerBoy

Character Information

LARIE — he/they (started as "she/her," the "he" is new).
An intrepid queer-crip playwright. Out of school, but not quite settled in his career; out of the
trans/gay closet, but not quite comfortable in his own skin; sure he's capable and his ideas are
worthwhile, but not sure he is. (Please cast a queer disabled actor & adapt to their mobility aids.)

ARIEL — she/they (the "they" is canon in our hearts).
"The Little Mermaid." Some blend of the early 1800s Hans Christian Andersen tale, the 1989
Disney film, the 2000s Broadway musical/its transfers, the 2023 film—and most importantly,
the joy and anguish of all the disabled people who have loved her. (Please cast creatively.)

OPTIONAL: Larie's person on the other end of the phone (she/her)
  • Larie
    LARIE — he/they (started as "she/her," the "he" is new).
    An intrepid queer-crip playwright. Out of school, but not quite settled in his career; out of the trans/gay closet, but not quite comfortable in his own skin; sure he's capable and his ideas are worthwhile, but not sure he is. (Please cast a queer disabled actor & adapt to their mobility aids.)
    20s-30s
    He/They,
    trans masc,
    Trans Masculine or Nonbinary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
  • Ariel
    ARIEL — she/they (the "they" is canon in our hearts).
    "The Little Mermaid." Some blend of the early 1800s Hans Christian Andersen tale, the 1989 Disney film, the 2000s Broadway musical/its transfers, the 2023 film—and most importantly, the joy and anguish of all the disabled people who have loved her. (Please cast creatively.)
    She/they,
    She/Her (open to nonbinary),
    She/her and/or they/them
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary