Port Alberni theatre students are getting ready to dive "under the sea" in an upcoming production of Disney's The Little Mermaid.
The show, presented by students in the Alberni District Secondary School drama club, will take place on May 9 and 10, 2025 at the ADSS Theatre.
The club has become well-known for its musicals over the past few years, with productions like Annie, High School Musical and Bye Bye Birdie. Drama students took a break from musicals last year to perform She Kills Monsters, but The Little Mermaid will be a return to singing and dancing, with songs everyone will recognize from the 1989 animated Disney film.
Grade 12 student Lilly Kremer, who had a starring role in She Kills Monsters, will be playing the role of Sebastian the crab in The Little Mermaid. Kremer says musicals involve "a lot more work" than other stage productions.
"It's a much bigger cast," she explained. "There's a lot more that goes into it behind the scenes, like vocal rehearsals and choreography."
The show will even feature a pit band, provided by ADSS band students.
"The people on music have been putting in just as much effort as the actors," said Nathan Zvonar, a Grade 12 student who plays King Triton in the musical.
The production "mostly" follows the same plot as the 1989 animated film, says Grade 10 student Lain Anderson, who is playing the role of villain Ursula the Sea Witch. The show tells the story of the teenage mermaid, Ariel, who is fascinated with life on land and makes a magic deal to become human.
"There have been a few changes just to make it more appropriate for stage," Anderson explained.
Ursula was Anderson's "dream" role. Ursula's appearance in the 1989 animated film was inspired by the drag queen Divine, so Ursula has become a bit of a pop culture icon in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
"As a trans girl, I wanted to represent that in my own way," explained Anderson. "I've absolutely loved singing in a deep and evil voice. It's been fun."
Drama club students have been working on the production since last fall. The club takes place outside of class time, so students have been putting in the work after school and during lunch hours.
"It's a lot of fun," said Wesley Servatius, a Grade 12 student who plays the role of Prince Eric's advisor, Grimsby, in the upcoming musical. "I like drama club because It's another place to hang out with my friends."
Grimsby is a bit of a comic relief character, explained Servatius.
"He's kind of out of place in some spots, especially with Ariel and her peculiarities," he said.
For Grade 12 student Kate Edgar, this is her first year involved in the drama club. Edgar plays the role of Chef Louis, the French cook who has a taste for "les poissons" and who becomes an antagonist for Sebastian.
"When I heard [ADSS] was doing The Little Mermaid, my mom and I re-watched the movie," explained Edgar. "She said that I would make a great Chef Louis. And I said, 'Sacre bleu, you're right!'"
It's been a "unique" experience, said Edgar, especially for someone who has never been involved in a musical before.
"I've seen plays and musicals before, and being behind the scenes is just amazing," she said. "Musicals are something I think everyone should see. It's a display of art, but it's also engaging. And it's a Disney movie, so kids will love that," she added with a laugh.
All the students involved in the musical have been impressed with the way it's come together in the last few weeks.
"It's like the real thing, but just with high schoolers," said Zvonar.
"We're very excited for everyone to see the hard work we've put into it," added Anderson. "It's going to be magical."
Kremer says the production has involved a lot of effort behind the scenes, and the upcoming shows offer a chance for the community to support local theatre.
"We've had a lot of fun making this, and we hope you'll have fun, too," said Kremer.
Shows will take place on Friday, May 9 (7 p.m.) and Saturday, May 10 (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.). Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and available online at www.CUR8.com (search "Alberni District Secondary School".). They can also be purchased at the ADSS lobby on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to noon. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door before showtime.
