As opening night approaches, director Greg Lynch and designer Rich Kimmerle commented they are pleased with the progress of their show at this point in the process, though fine-tuning and hand-crafting of performances and set properties will continue right up to the opening curtain at 7 p.m. Fri., March 14 in the Becker High School auditorium.
The Becker Middle School musical this year is The Little Mermaid Jr., a slightly shortened stage version of the wildly popular Disney® film designed for middle school-aged actors. The production continues a tradition of musicals at the school, which includes recent productions of The Pirates of Penzance and Beauty and the Beast.
For the 2014 production, Mermaid offers a cast of more than 90 student actors performing in singing, dancing and character roles, along with a crew of more than 20 builders, scene painters and make-up artists working behind the scenes every day to ensure a successful launch.
The musical is set under the sea in the realm of King Triton, where his daughter, the beautiful Princess Ariel longs to leave the sea and explore life on land with humans, especially handsome Prince Eric.
Her longing leads her to a desperate bargain with the evil sea witch Ursula, who grants her land legs but steals her voice, making it almost impossible for her to win their wager, which is to have the prince kiss her before her third day on land ends. A mighty confrontation brews between the sea king and the evil witch, but never bet against the power of true love to win out in the end.
Advance ticket sales will begin Mon., Mar. 3 in both the BHS Activities Office and the main office at Becker Middle School. The schedule includes 7 p.m. performances Fri., March 14 and 15, along with a 4 p.m. matinee Sat., March 14 and a closing 2 p.m. matinee Sun., March, 16.
CAST LIST
PRINCIPALS: Ariel: Ellie Schwartz; Prince Eric: Evan Schafer; Flounder: Georgia Thom; Sebastian: Alex Devall; Scuttle: Allison Hendrickson; King Triton: Bryce Boser; Seahorse: Carolyn Lyon; Pilot: William Schendel; Grimsby: Dennis Hemminger; Carlotta: Paige Pappenfus; Chef Louis: Taylor Schafbuch; Ursula: Mary Goenner; Flotsam: Tatum
Storkamp and Jetsam: Kinsley Hurt.
TENTACLES: Abby Becker; Hannah Bengston; Maddie Janssen; Gabbie Lindsay; Allison Sanderson; Olivia Schueller and Emma Tweten.
MERSISTERS: Aquata: Sam Pounds; Andrina: Allison Schmidt: Arista: Kaitlyn Johnson; Atina: Abby Fingarson; Adella: Madi Stang and Allana: Jaida Johnson.
PRINCESSES: Sydney Bordson; Maci Salvevold; Angelle Spaeth; Belinda Edling and Elizabeth Moeller.
SEA CHORUS: Kalani Bauer; Kendra Gorman; Kiyanah Kalla; Grace Klapak; Brittney Kostek; Alenita Maurer; Samantha Moonen; Brendan Potter and Hailey Uecker.
SAILORS: Josie Berger; Jacob Drury; Jarrod Favilla; Erica Freeman; Lauren Johnson; Morgan Kappel; Ian Kimmerle; Hannah Klapak; Bobby Leason; Kylee Martell; Laura Pearce and Ailee Titcomb.
GULL CHORUS: Amanda Bergsten; Carly Cory; Allie Gorman; Megan Kluge; Katie Novitsky; Autumn Schultz; Jamie Sommerdorf; Paige Thorgerson; Sierra Vilmo and Kait Woerhle.
CHEFS: Payton Bernstrom; Reana Cavegn; Maddie Frank; Victoria Gibson; Emily Harms; Sammy Hotten; Gavin Jenkins; Ally Kangas; Janene Myers; Alora Nelson; Megan Nelson and Casey Renter.
LAGOON CHORUS: Mckenna Anderson; Hailey Hamacher; Jalissa Johnson; Emily Lapinski; Abby Maruska; Emily Quill; Melody Swanson and Amber Vogl.
