Theater in Sharon

Klea Blackhurst is the villain Ursula in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” which opened this week at TriArts Sharon Playhouse. “There is astonishing clarity and depth to this character’s evil,” Blackhurst tells me, as she struggles into a hoop skirt in her dressing room. This is surprising because the 30-something actor seems very sunny, very loose, even cheerful as she struggles into her elaborate costume. In addition to the hoop, there are yards of purple ruffles and some shiny squid tentacles, and she needs a helping hand from wig and makeup intern Marissa Kulp. So, Blackhurst does not seem like an evil squid, but, then, that’s called acting and she has done plenty of that performing in cabarets, theater and on TV. She got her first big break playing Ethel Merman in “Everything the Traffic Will Allow” in 2001, which was a perfect role for someone with a big voice and a fascination with Merman since seeing “Annie Get Your Gun” as a youngster. “Everyone thinks Merman was big because of her voice,” Blackhurst says, “but she was tiny, with size four shoes.” Blackhurst waves her tentacles before heading for rehearsal. “I never played a squid before.” — Marsden Epworth “The Little Mermaid” runs at the Sharon Playhouse through Aug. 24. For tickets and information, go to triarts.net or call 860-364-7469