Little Mermaid Actor Falls Through Floor

An actor of the Broadway adaptation of Disney's The Little Mermaid fell through a trap door prior to the start of Saturday's matinee performance.

Actor Adrian Bailey, who performs as a sailor in the opening scene of Mermaid, was on a boat with other actors, which starts out raised above the stage. Bailey lost his footing and fell 20 feet to the stage below.

"It sounded like a gunshot," said Jim Robinson, who attended the performance with his two children. "Maybe louder."

Bailey was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center with broken wrists. The performance continued with a 60-minute delay. Many actors left the theater after the performance without comment.

"That's part of the job," said Alan Mingo, Jr., ensemble member. "The show must go on."

Actors Equity is currently investigating the accident. For the moment, the play will continue at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater, 205 W. 46th St., with hopefully 100 percent less falling sailors.