Salem Community High School will present Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ as the Spring Musical with two weeks of performances to begin Thursday night.
The play is based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film.
The play is directed by Drew Johnson.
“This has been a particularly challenging one because of the elaborate costumes, lighting, set design, and the magic effects,” Johnson said. “We are fortunate to have supporters from the theatrical industry. Thomas James Production has lent us just under $50,000 worth of equipment, so you’re going to see some amazing things, and then we’ve come up with some effects that are of the students’ making that are also going to add another layer for people to see that they haven’t seen before.”
The cast and crew total 37 students, including 13 seniors performing for the last time and 13 becoming involved for the first time.
Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, is played by Emma Turner who says she has fallen in love with performing and singing.
“Ariel is this spunky teenage girl who thinks she can kind of do whatever she wants,” Turner said. “Disobey her father, leave. She doesn’t want to be under the water, she wants to be up where the people are, and she eventually falls in love with Prince Eric.”
Prince Eric is played by senior Braden Harris who is performing for the first time following an interest that began in middle school but put off until now because of sports.
“It’s been awesome. I love it,” Harris said. “It’s really exciting playing a main role, especially with this being my first show ever. I didn’t think it was going to be as good as people made it out to be, but it definitely is, and it’s going to be awesome seeing everybody smile when the show comes up.”
Harris now plans to pursue theatre at Kaskaskia College while earning a degree in automotive.
The evil sea witch, Ursula, is played by Avery Jones who has grown from a crew member in her sophomore year to having lead singing roles last year and again in Little Mermaid.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s really helped me come out of my shell,” Jones said. “I didn’t really know that I would like acting or singing in front of a whole bunch of people, so it’s just been a great experience for me.”
Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the Fish played by Aurielle Winkler, Scuttle the seagull, played by Aubree Hoagland, and Sebastian the crab, played by Elara Brubaker, to restore order under the sea. Andrew Troutt plays King Triton. Laci Harrell serves as the Director’s Assistant.
Show times at the Salem Community Theatre are March 19th to the 21st at 7 pm, a single matinee performance on Sunday, March 22nd, at three pm, and March 26th through the 28th at seven pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. They are available online at salemiltheatre.org, at the SCHS Front Office (618) 548-0727 or the theatre box office (618) 740-0789.
Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Photo by Bruce Kropp.
