WHS Players production of ‘Mermaid’ opens Nov. 21
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
Taking in a performance of the Whitewater High School Players production of “The Little Mermaid” is the perfect antidote for early winter freeze, not to mention a great way to get into the holiday season spirit.
More than 60 cast, technical crew and pit band members will take to the stage for this Disney classic at the WHS auditorium.
Shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 21-23, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24.
Reserved seat tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for students. They are available one hour before the show or by calling the box office at 262-472-8178.
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, “The Little Mermaid” is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages.
With music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”
Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.
The cast includes Gio Anello, Gracia Boley, Henry Bresser, Keith Cameron, Jazmin Cederberg, Emma Clarksen, Olive Coburn, Sarah Felland, Sierra Gonzales, Jullian Harkness, Lauren Harkness, Maggie Jay, Josh Kirley, Ilana Lothes, Audrey Mayer, Sophie Mayer, Ben McCulloch, Stephanie Ordaz, Betzy Palomec, Chris Porcaro, Aldo Rodriguez, Lucas Scherer, Arianna Schroeder, Skylar Staebler, Haley Street, Madison Strickler, Evie Troxel, Carter Waelchli, Anderson Waelchli, Marco Wence, Ella Willman and Matt Zingheim.
Working their technical magic on the backstage crew are Payton Bunger, Emerson Dunham, Josie Hintz, Bailee Korf, Jordan Korf, Hailey Long, Abby Olson, Cole Schlicher, Lucy Troxel, Emma VanDaele, Sami VanDaele and Emma Weigel.
Adding to the fun of a live production, members of the pit band include Maddy Blain, Colin Chenoweth, Anne Coburn, Caroline Crowley, Colin Dugan, Liz Elliott, David Flemming, Zuri Goldsmith, Justin Kamp, Jimmy Karolek, Alex Martin, Jack Mayer, Sophie Mayer, Sophie Walton and Caryl Whiteman.
Jim McCulloch directs this production, with musical direction by Liz Elliott, choreography by Lynn Lema, set design by Kat Dunham, sound design by Tony Hansen and costume design by Karen McCulloch. Frankie Heurtz serves as conductor for the pit band.
“Working on the musical aspect of ‘The Little Mermaid’ has been a very neat experience,” Elliott said. “The fact that this is a show with well known and loved music makes it exciting, yet also challenging for the students. They really have needed to push themselves in rehearsals, both to become their character with the additional challenge of singing songs that many audience members will recognize.”
