Greetings Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

Natchez Little Theatre and NLT’s 2016 Summer Youth Workshop proudly present Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

Performances will be Thursday through Sunday at Natchez Little Theatre, 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a final 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday. All tickets for non-members of Natchez Little Theatre are $20 each and should be reserved in advance by calling the theatre at 601-442-2233 or toll free at 877-440-2233.

You may also guarantee your reservations by securely purchasing your tickets online at natcheztheatre.org.

“The Little Mermaid” opened on Broadway on Jan. 10, 2008, at the Lunt-Fontaine Theatre and is a stage musical based on the animated 1989 Disney film of the same name and the classic story of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. Its book is by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman (written for the film), with additional lyrics by Glenn Slater. Natchez Little Theatre is producing the show through special arrangements with Music Theatre International.

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel, portrayed by Parker Claire Maxwell, 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, played by Terrence Robinson, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, played by Hannah Hargis, and convince the handsome Prince Eric, played by Jonathan Rosso, that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

This is the 12th production for NLT’s Summer Youth Workshop which began in 2005. Those participants performing in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” include Jasmine Jackson as Sebastian, Lizzie Fife as Flounder, Tim Leak as Scuttle, Micah Griggs as Grimsby, Anabella Laird and Liza Gregg as Flotsam and Jetsam, Addison Laird as Chef Louis, Adair Carey, Sarah Freeman, Keniesha Julian, Makayla Matthews, Kate McCann and Lourdes Reyna as the mersisters and princesses, Sara Davis as Carlotta, Roarke Brown as the ship’s pilot and Madalyn Cupit, Luke Hargis, Tyler Merriett, Lena Darcey, Jyrah Griffin, Lauren Lambuth, Maggie Waddill, Liza Byrne, Abby Lees Faust, Patty Jo Hickman, Shirani Hickman and Ava Pinder as a variety of sea creatures, seagulls, chefs and the sea chorus.

The Little Mermaid is directed and choreographed by Shemeka Ware with musical direction by Terrence Robinson. The sets and original costumes were created by Sarah Freeman Carey with assistance from Katie and Ginny Borum and Madi Cooley.

The show is delightfully staged and performed by a rich pool of talent from our local community and from as far away as Illinois, Alabama and Texas. “The Little Mermaid” will be performed to a full orchestration thanks to Musical Theatre International.

So, come dive into “The Little Mermaid” at Natchez Little Theatre Thursday through Sunday. The water’s great and this is entertainment the entire family will enjoy!

 

Layne Taylor is the artistic and executive director of the Natchez Little Theatre.