The seaweed is always greener in somebody else’s ocean… or is it? This idea resonates deeply in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” a tale that explores the longing for a different life, the struggle to accept one’s circumstances and the pursuit of curiosity.
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, “The Little Mermaid Jr.” – as embodied onstage by Mount Madonna School’s (MMS) middle school cast – is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.
Performances are December 14 and 15 at 2:00pm at Mount Madonna School’s Hawks’ Nest Theater. Tickets on sale November 1 at mms-thelittlemermaid.brownpapertickets.com. Adult tickets are $20; seniors are $15 and $10 for 18 and under; all seats are reserved.
In a magical underwater kingdom, a young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home – and her fins – behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the human Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.
“For middle school students, this period often marks the emergence of identity questions and the drive to carve out their unique paths.,” observed Director Chelsea Otterness. “The story is infused with a lively, playful energy, both above the waves and beneath them. Picture sparkling mermaids and squawking gulls, bringing humor to the narrative, while a more profound message quietly unfolds. Ariel sacrifices her voice – her means of self-expression – in exchange for legs, something she wasn’t born with. This essential loss signifies the cost of exploring new worlds, and illustrates that in the quest for more, we may lose a part of ourselves.”
Eighth grade student River Russell is cast as King Triton.
“The sea king, Triton, loves his daughter and his daughter loves a human,” said Russell. “It’s kind of like “Romeo and Juliet”; they need to find a middle ground between their worlds. It has all the archetypes of a perfect story. It’s ideal for middle school because we are a strong community. We get to be in this new world together, giving us a chance to step out of our comfort zone and become part of something new. When we’re in the play, we aren’t middle schoolers anymore – we transform together into something else.”
Eighth grader Cadence Barr is cast in the role of the mermaid, Ariel.
“This story is about pursuing your dreams and desires rather than listening to others’ expectations, and this is an interesting concept,” said Barr. “As a child, you might dream of being a mermaid, but Ariel dreams of being human. It speaks to the idea that once we achieve something, we often want more, never fully content with what we have.
“In middle school, this feeling is magnified by constant comparisons,” Barr continued. “Ariel compares herself to humans and when she finally gets the chance to live among them, she’s amazed. Yet, she sacrifices something precious, her voice – her ability to express herself – just to gain this new experience.”
“I’m playing the marvelous Scuttle,” said eighth grade student Eva Melton. “He’s a funny character who thinks he knows everything, but he’s constantly giving Ariel bad advice – kind of like those Reddit accounts that post false information! When I was young, this story was a big part of my childhood. The storyline was cute: Ariel wants to be somewhere else, has all these dreams and does something drastic to achieve them. She ends up in a tough situation, but it all works out in the end, which is the kind of story that leaves you feeling good.
“I think everyone has moments, big or small, when they have a desire and try to make it happen,” Melton continued. “Not everyone follows through though, and while selling your soul isn’t the best idea, it’s a compelling plot point.”Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.
“Middle school students are immersing themselves in the script and applying the Chekhov method to develop their characters,” said Otterness. “They are learning to construct authentic personas by probing motivations and desires, delving deeply into the text. The songs will resonate with emotion, and their dedication to character development will be exceptional.”
Mount Madonna School has a longstanding tradition of performing arts for students preschool through high school; and beyond outstanding performances, engaging in performing arts prepares students for life well beyond the stage.
“At the middle school level, students are expected to begin to face and adjust to the consequences of their decisions more than when they were younger,” commented Music Director Holly Ota. “It is an important bridge toward the reality of taking responsibility for the choices they will make as young adults. We might learn from this, in true, ‘Disney happy-conclusion’ fashion, that even when our decisions take us down unexpected, tricky paths, there is hope for things to work out when we keep our minds and hearts open.”
