Little Mermaid, Big Fun at ORRJHS

The Old Rochester Regional Junior High School has resurrected its Drama Club and is ready to show the public how hard work, dedication, and the desire to have fun simply cannot be stopped by marathon snowstorms.

The Drama Club has been learning its lines, rehearsing its moves, and finding its singing voice since January 21, despite the cancelation of a number of its scheduled rehearsals due to the weather. But the show will go on with a rendition of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic The Little Mermaid, led by a group of dedicated parent volunteers who have been organizing and facilitating the production.

This production has been designed a bit differently than other school plays, said parent volunteer Beth Marsden. Multiple actors will be playing each of the roles as a way of giving everyone a chance to shine in the play.

“We were trying to make this play so that there’s really no lead … so that it’s easier,” said Marsden. “So that way all the kids could be a part of it.

Altogether, there are 31 actors and 10 crewmembers responsible for make-up and lighting, among other aspects of production.

“It’s fun because there really are no lead roles,” said parent volunteer Casey Quirk. “So there’s tons of chances for tons of involvement.”

This rendition of The Little Mermaid, adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller, varies from the Disney version. For example, the names are different, although they echo of their Disney counterparts, and the story is based more on the Christian Andersen book and less on the cartoon.

At the center of the plot is Annabelle, played by Lyla Horton and Michaela Mattson, a young mermaid who is in love with a prince and would do anything to be a human. Her father, Neptune, played by both Emma Quirk and Emily Wilson, tries in vain to keep his daughter from mingling with humans, while Annabelle is pursued by the evil Odessa, played by Kate Marsden and Hannah Grace Johnson, who tricks Annabelle into giving up something precious in order to gain power over Neptune.

The Drama Club was formed again this year when the school asked some parents if they would revive the Drama Club after years of inactivity. This will help the young actors in the future, said Quirk.

“When they get to high school, they’ve already been introduced to drama,” Quirk said. “And the kids involved in this are awesome kids who work hard and are having fun. I’ll be sad when it’s over.”

The actors are enthusiastic and shine brightly on an underwater stage bursting with color. They are building their confidence and will really be “hamming it up” in the junior high auditorium on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 pm during its public performance of The Little Mermaid. Tickets at the door are $10; $5 for students, seniors, and kids; and kids age four and under are free.

By Jean Perry

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