THE LITTLE MERMAID COMING TO FULDA STAGE

By Norma Dittman Coming to the Fulda Elementary School stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 14, 15 and 16 is the beloved Disney tale of a wayward teenage mermaid princess. The stage production of The Little Mermaid is currently being practiced by a large cast of Fulda Schools’ students.

Under the direction of Heidi Appel and Matt Saxman, show times will be 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The show will include all of the musical numbers that The Little Mermaid is so well-known for.

Mr. Saxman shared the following about the musical. “A young mermaid named Ariel is discontent with her life in the sea. She happens upon a young human sailor (who she doesn’t yet know is a prince), that she becomes smitten with. Her father, King Triton, is protective of her, and wary of the dangers of the human world, and their affect on the creatures of the deep.

Ariel rescues the prince when he falls off the ship in a storm, returns him to land, and falls in love with him.

When Eric awakens on shore, he recalls being saved by someone beautiful, with a beautiful voice, but does not know who she is.

Ariel knows she cannot be with the prince as a mermaid. Ariel’s friend Flounder and her sisters realize she’s in love, and her father finds out from Ariel’s very talkative companion, Sebastian.

Ariel is lured to the evil sea witch Ursula’s lair. Ursula is also Ariel’s aunt, who murdered Ariel’s mother/Triton’s wife, and all of her and Triton’s siblings. There, Ursula proposes a trade - Ursula takes Ariel’s voice, and Ariel becomes human. Ariel is transported to land, where she washes ashore with legs, but no voice. Several seagulls, including Scuttle, convince Ariel to try out her new legs.

Ariel is amazed by the wonders of the human world. Sebastian, the sea world’s court composer, who has been tasked with protecting Ariel, is nearly cooked alive by a cook who is ferociously protective of his culinary art!

Ariel and Prince Eric spend a large amount of time together - dinner, dancing, a boat ride but Ariel never speaks. Ursula sends her electric eel henchmen Flotsam and Jetsam up to interrupt their boat ride date before they kiss. If they kiss, Ariel’s voice returns to her, and Ursula loses it.

Grimsby, Prince Eric’s caretaker, hosts a singing contest to find the woman whose voice Eric remembers. The event is interrupted by Ursula, who takes Ariel back to her lair. King Triton confronts Ursula. Together, Ariel and Triton defeat Ursula.”

The storyline continues on, but we don’t want to spoil the ending!

“There are several of the actors and actresses who are playing in dual roles to fill all of the parts in this musical,” Mr. Saxman stated.

Cast members for The Little Mermaid are students from 5th grade to seniors: Pilot (captain of Prince Eric’s ship) – Kole Appel, Sailors (crew of Prince Eric’s Ship): Liam Leinen, Atz Mitchell, Jared Wehking,and Tallen Clausen.

Prince Eric (crown prince of the kingdom on land) is Aiden Appel, with Grimsby (Prince Eric’s elderly guardian) played by Matthew Stapek.

Flounder (Ariel’s sidekick and friend) is Ava Boomgaarden, and Scuttle (seagull, slightly chaotic, thinks he knows lots about human stuff, well intentioned) is Cali Pick.

Windward & Leeward (the royal heralds, trumpeter fish) are Justin Pick & Grant Burch.

Ariel (King Triton’s youngest daughter) is played by Grace Ouellette, with King Triton (king of the merpeople, Ariel’s father) acted out by Vincent Bray.

Sebastian (crab, court composer, Ariel’s caretaker once the action starts) is Emily Gass.

Ariel’s mersisters are Aquata – Ruth Ethridge; Andrina – Leah Steinman; Arista – Nevaeh Echternach; Atina – Brooklynn Tyrrell; Adella – Ellie Hart; Allana – Jayden Meinders. These actresses also play the parts of princesses who compete for Eric’s betrothal.

Flotsam & Jetsam (electric eels and Ursula’s henchmen) are Madelyn Cowdin & Ceilia Pick. Ursula (octopus, sea witch, primary antagonist) is played by Taylor Anderson Chef Louise (royal chef) is-Brooklynn Tyrrell.

Seagulls (Scuttle’s friends) are being played by Ruth Ethridge, Leah Steinmann, Nevaeh Echternach, and Brooklynn Tyrrell.

Several maids look after Ariel while she is in the palace. They include Emma Beckmann, Nariha Small, Shelby Muecke, and Brystol Landgren.

Waves and sea creatures include Paizley Ash, Adelyn Duerr, Emma Gordon, Ariel Jacobs, Rosealee Dittman, Alix Carlson, Cora Dierks, Eleanor Dittman, Leah Saenz, Sophia Schultz, Kamilah Robles Cortes, Kole Appel, Adelyn Duerr, Liam Leinen, Atz Mitchell, Jared Wehking, Tallen Clausen, Emma Beckmann, Nariha Small, Shelby Muecke, Brystol Landgren.

Confirmed backstage/tech helpers are Zoe Nelson, Tyson Clausen and Gavin Gerdes.

The Fulda Theatre Department invites you to mark your calendar and make time to see this production of The Little Mermaid.

The publisher of The Little Mermaid is MTI/Disney Theatricals.