Want to go?
WHAT: "The Little Mermaid"
WHEN: September 6, 7, 8, 14 & 15 at 7:30 p.m. and September 9, 15 & 16 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Caryl Crane’s Youth Theatre, BGSU Firelands, McBride Auditorium, One University Dr., Huron
COST: $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, $6.00 for students
INFO & RESERVATIONS: 419-372-0747 or visit www.firelands.bgsu.edu/arts/ccct
Caryl Crane Youth Theatre (formerly Caryl Crane Children’s Theatre) wants everyone to be a part of their world when they become the first in the area to present Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”
“It’s one of the most popularly requested shows,” says Brian Marshall, director of “The Little Mermaid.” Marshall was given an inside scoop on when this show would be available for production by community theatres and other venues, so he jumped on it.
There are 48 children in this production with 18 of them being on stage for the first time ever. “The fall slot is like the introductory show where kids can get some experience,” says Marshall, also Artistic Director for Caryl Crane Youth Theatre. The show is well known and beloved by all. There are a couple of new songs added for the Broadway version but all the best loved Disney tunes are represented as well from “Part of Your World”, “Poor Unfortunate Souls”, “Kiss the Girl” to the Oscar-winning jammin’ good time “Under the Sea”.
Ariel, Prince Eric and other principal roles have been double cast in order to get more children involved and give them greater exposure. “We are calling them Land and Sea cast instead of group 1 or group 2,” Marshall states. He continues, “Every child will get some featured moment to shine.” In one scene a child could be a wave and in the next the youth may be the chef frantically trying to skewer Sebastian.
Speaking of waves, don’t panic about getting wet. Marshall says, “We’re going with a cool new look for Caryl Crane.” There will be flowing fabric, light and movement to simulate waves and other effects for under water. Similarly, the costumes are not all out animal costumes but, according to Marshall, “what a fish or a mermaid might look like if they walked among us; an implied look.”
The 2 ½ hour Broadway version has been whittled down to 1 ½ family and kid friendly hours with no adults in the show. Marshall tells all, “It’s cute and fun.”
