Among members of Jonathan Alder High School’s cast of “The Little Mermaid” are: (from left) Nathan Uhrman as King Triton, Daniel Rodriguez as Sebastian, Lucas White as Flounder, Katie Davis as Ariel, Tucker Detweiler as Prince Eric. and Nehemiah Haines as Scuttle the Seagull.
(Posted April 8, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Forget the old standbys. For this spring’s musical, Jonathan Alder High School’s drama and vocal music department is diving into newly available material with the production of “The Little Mermaid.”
“I saw the original on Broadway and loved it,” said director Anne Gorman about why she chose to stage the Disney blockbuster. “The Broadway version just became available, and I wanted to get it. I also thought I had a number of students who could do the parts.”
The storyline follows Ariel (played by Katie Davis), a mermaid who wants to be human. With help from her wicked aunt, Ursula (Kaylee Griest), Ariel gets her wish temporarily but gives up her voice in exchange. If she can get Prince Eric (Tucker Detweiler) to kiss her before the third day is up, she will become human for good.
Gorman said the cast of 50 is handling everything, from dialogue and music to tricky choreography, “amazingly well.”
“Nehemiah Haines (Scuttle the seagull) and all the other seagulls had to learn to tap dance,” she said. “And everyone under the sea is on Heelys—those are shoes with wheels on them—so that they look like they’re swimming.”
The cast member most comfortable on wheels is the only one who is not in high school. Lucas White, a fourth-grader from Plain City Elementary, plays Flounder, the little fish.
“He has been fabulous from the very beginning and can skate circles around the rest of the cast,” Gorman said.
While the actors got used to unorthodox footwear, the stage crew worked through costume and set challenges.
“After we chose the show, we found out that because it is new, no costume house has anything that we liked,” Gorman said. “So, my choreographer and set designer, Scott Jones, became our costume designer and constructor, as well. We have been ‘building’ costumes for two months with Scott, his mother and much student and parent help.”
Additionally, staging includes the presence of a full-size ship.
“And we have lots of special effects that I’m not able to talk about. Come and see the show. You won’t be disappointed!” Gorman said.
Popular songs from “The Little Mermaid” include “Part of Your World” sung by Ariel and “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” sung by Sebastian and the chorus.
Showtimes
Showtimes for Jonathan Alder High School’s production of “The Little Mermaid” are as follows:
- April 14—Dinner theater. Dinner at 6:30 p.m., curtain at 7:30. All seats are $25.
- April 15-16—Curtain at 8 p.m. Seats are $12 for adults; $8 for senior citizens and children 10 and younger.
- April 17—Curtain at 3 p.m. All seats are $8.
Call Jonathan Alder High School, (614) 873-4642, ext. 1192, for information or email gormanan@japioneers.org.
