A Disney classic is coming to Powell River Academy of Music.
Audiences can expect to be highly entertained when all their favourite characters from The Little Mermaid Jr. take the stage Thursday night, January 31.
The show presents the story of Ariel, a young mermaid who falls in love with a prince on land and wishes to leave her magical underwater home, but before she can leave she has to make a deal that will put her future in jeopardy.
Children aged seven to 15 will perform in the production. In the past, director Carma Sacree, who has directed three musicals, has double-casted productions but it has been “bedlam.” This time she’s decided to keep things a little more simple with 25 players.
“This year we made a conscious decision to do single casting which has made the production night and day better,” she said. “It’s easier for the kids to just focus on one part.”
All the performers have a solo or lines in the show. “There’s a lot of talented kids here,” she said. “We’ve really built a team.”
Sacree’s philosophy has been to give the children the opportunity to do something that is fun. “Having fun is the most important thing. If they’re not having fun, then the audience isn’t having fun.”
Songs have been arranged to make it easier for children to sing in the correct key. “It has the same songs as the movie,” she said, “but there are a few more from the Broadway production.” Sacree also included the Academy Singers to “add volume” to the children’s voices.
Paige Anderson choreographed the production, Loretta Cameron has made the costumes and Megan Skidmore is the musical director.
Sacree took the dancing mermaids to James Thomson Elementary School for its weekly assembly on Friday, January 25, to give the students a taste of what they can expect if they attend the show.
Sacree is planning four performances starting at 7 pm on Thursday, January 31, Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2 with a matinee performance at 1:30 pm on Sunday, February 3. All performances will be in academy hall.
Tickets can be purchased online, at the academy (7280 Kemano Street) and at the door 30 minutes before the performance. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and under.
