Vibrant costume and set design create magical kingdoms above and below the ocean surface in The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s production of “The Little Mermaid,” through Aug. 6, Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley.

The well-known story by Hans Christian Andersen written for the stage by Linda Daugherty and directed at PSF by Taibi Magar, begins with a little mermaid, Pearl, her sisters, Anomone, Coral and Luna, and their father, the Sea King, reading from an old scroll of their ancestors.

At one time, reads the Sea King (Justin Ariola), mermaids and mermen could go on land. When men invented ships, it made it impossible for mermaids to come to the surface, for fear of being injured or killed. Pearl (Ally Borgstrom) and her sisters (Elizabeth Egan, Annelise Diaz and Corina Connelly) are not allowed to go to the ocean’s surface until they turn 18-years-old.

Even though she knows she could be hurt, Pearl is fascinated with life on land. One day, she goes out for a swim close to the surface when a huge storm comes up. The prince (Dane McMichael), who had been out sailing, washes up on shore. Pearl cares for him and sings to him until he wakes up.

She hears sailors coming so she jumps back into the ocean. Under the surface, Pearl cannot stop thinking about the Prince and, on land, the Prince cannot stop thinking about Pearl and her beautiful singing. Although she is frightened, Pearl cannot stand it any longer and goes to see the Sea Witch (Ilia Paulino) and asks her to turn her into a human. The Sea Witch agrees, but for a price.

“The Little Mermaid” is exciting, hilarious and stunning. Steven TenEyck’s set design is breathtaking. Above land, the moving platform helps to set the stage for a boat sailing over waves. Additionally, the underwater scene is beautiful. Lovely lighted jellyfish hang from the ceiling, an anchor sits on the ocean floor, and swings hang from the ceiling of the sisters’ room.

Elizabeth Elliot adds her touch as lighting designer with shadowed light emulating sun through water.

Olivera Gajic’s costume design is unforgettable. The mermaids’ dresses are gorgeous, with imaginative tails and hair to match. The Sea Witch’s costume is elaborate and most memorable, with a long, flowing, black sequined dress that amasses the whole stage, flowing in the ocean current, and gray hair molded into the shape of a ship.

The show has a little bit of everything: drama, happiness, singing and dancing. It is a wonderfully-acted, cheerful and modern take on a classic tale.

Ticket information: pashakespeare.org, 610-282-WILL (9445), Ext. 1