The Marion Palace Theatre will stage Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. for three performances in October. More than 65 local cast and crew members consisting of actors ages 8-14 will perform the musical The Little Mermaid, Jr. featuring many hit songs including “Part of Your World,” “She’s in Love,” and the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea.”
Based on Disney’s popular 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid, Jr. tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid seeking to live life on land. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch Ursula and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the perfect voice.
Palace Theatre Executive Director Bev Ford is thrilled to present a junior musical at the theatre. “This is a new endeavor for the Palace,” says Ford. “This opportunity hits right at the heart of our mission: to foster appreciation, education and participation in the arts. And it does it for the next generation, which is an exciting bonus.”
The Little Mermaid, Jr. cast is led by a team of experienced production members including director Kristi Wink who started her performing arts career at a young age on the Palace Theatre stage. As a young adult, her talent led her to win the “Miss Ohio” title in 1991 and earned her appearances on daytime television “One Life to Live” and “Another World.” Kristi also spent a year on Broadway performing in “The Will Rogers Follies.” More recently, Wink has remained local and been sharing her knowledge and love for the theatre by teaching acting classes at Act Two Studios, which she co-owns with Johnny Steiner; choreographing musicals for local high schools and Palace Productions; and performing in numerous Palace musicals.
“Talent is never in short supply in our community,” stated Wink. “This show has a wonderful balance of veteran performers and newbies. As a director I find it important to approach a junior musical as I would an adult musical. I challenge the kids to be their absolute best and they always come through.”
“I know audiences will be wowed by the singing, dancing and acting,” continued Wink. “This is a show you don’t want to miss.”
Additional Artistic Team members are: Producer–Clare Cooke; Vocal Director–Ann Schertzer; Set Design & Construction–Todd Meadows and Andrea Johnston; Costume Director–Susan Wenig; Rehearsal Pianist-Diane Ehrman; Stage Manager-Barb Yaksic; Asst. Stage Manager-Rhonda Arnold; Assistant to Director–April Short.
The Cast:
Ariel-Hanah Reiff; Prince Eric-Wyatt Wells; Sebastian-Tanner Wink; Flounder-Ashley Watkins; King Triton-Drake Facione; Ursula-Sydney Schertzer; Flotsam-Carson Bollinger; Jetsam-Jia Radloff; Scuttle-Madisen Schenk; Grimsby-Isaiah Wasserbeck; Chef Louis-Annie Bell; Mersisters: Andrina-Alecea Rucks; Atina-Shana DeWet; Aquata-Allena Mclaughlin; Adella-Madison Blankenship; Arista-Madilynn Motes; Allana-Annie Bell; Tentacles/Sea Creatures: Jada Adams, Elena Bennett, Macyn Danals, Julian Bishop Johnson, Avery Petrie, Emily Ratliff, Alexis Ruth, Brooklynn Short; Gulls/Sea Creatures: Alyson Hoffman, Andrea Hoffman, Olivia Schertzer, Macie Snyder, Delaney Tabbert, Brady Wink; Chefs/Sea Creatures: Saskia Brogan, Kassady Buchtel, Bridget Dutton, Alea French, Sydney Hancock, Diné Hilbrandt, Riley McCoy, Sarah Perkins, Kyron Rucks, Owen Russell, Elyssa Sayre; Carlotta/Sailor/Sea Creature (Under The Sea)-Audrey Watkins; Princesses/Sea Creatures (Under The Sea)-Kaitlyn Albert, Tiffany Degood, Elizabeth Harris, Maria Peltier, Sarah Short, Maddie Swain; Pilot/Chef/Sea Creature-Harrison Fawlkner; Sailors/Sea Creatures: Olivia Kaufman, Hope Scott, Corrine Starks; Sea Creatures–Riley Brown, Kiersten Buchtel, Gabby Cametti, Allison Farson, Sophie Johnston, Cassey Maze, Miranda McConnaughey, Kyler Peppard, Paige Powers, Anna Redd, Katie Richards, Emma Scott.
Show dates are scheduled for Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $18 adults, $12 students.
Tickets can be purchased by at (740) 383-2101 or online at www.marionpalace.org. You may also purchase in person at the Box Office, 276 West Center Street. Hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Information for all shows and tickets is also online at www.marionpalace.org.
Sponsored in part by Jim and Barb Greetham and supported by Ohio Arts Council and Marion Community Foundation Mary H. Hollaway Fund.
If You Go
WHAT: Marion Palace Theatre production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. – October 11 & October 12 and 2:00 p.m. – October 13
WHERE:
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