Please read this note – I know you won’t do it first, but I hope you will come back and read it.
Thank you for your hard work with auditions for this piece. We are really excited to share this process with all of you. Please remember what we learned doing Elf and how we are working toward an environment of kindness and gratitude.
Through the journey of the characters in The Little Mermaid, the musical explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dreams. The universal appeal of the story resonates with audiences of all ages, reminding us of the power of love, courage, and self-discovery. Howard Ashman and Allen Menken wrote it right after they did Little Shop. They were skeptical about working for Disney and worried that it wouldn’t be something that would make an impact and make a difference. The original story is depressing, and while they wanted to Disney-fy it, they also wanted to make sure it wasn’t just fluff. It’s actually the first animated film to use every song to impart critical plot points and character development. For example, music tells the audience everything they need to know about the characters, even giving Ariel her own MT trope “I want” song. It’s also the first animated film to approach its creation like a Broadway Musical. Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel, in the DVD documentary said: “The characters actually run out of words, can’t express themselves anymore, and it has to come out in song.” This is our constant approach to musical theatre now, and the formalizing it as a practice came because of this show! The themes of growing up and going forward to realize your dreams are pivotal.
This film also saved Disney from bankruptcy and paved a way for what they are today. Though the Disney production turns 35 next year, its message is still important today. We selected this story for you for a reason. This year is all about growing and changing for the better. We hope you grow and stretch and work together to find those reasons and make yourself and those around you feel of worth. We also hope that you will take this two week break to rest, reset and recommit yourself; to your family and the important people in your life, to your grades, to this group of people, and to your goals and dreams. Happy Holidays!
Little Mermaid Cast List
Ariel Abi Archer
Prince Eric Gideon Selph
King Triton Talmage Howlett
Ursula Eli Archer
Grimsby Tyler Wilkinson
Sebastian Riley Anderson
Chef Louis Xander Noyes
Scuttle Macie Openshaw
Flotsom Cole Dunford
Jetsom Halle Humpherys
Pilot Alex Colqui
Flounder Andy Loveridge
Aquata Hallie Holbrook
Adrina Chole Dix
Arista Taylor Meigs
Atina Hannah Lewis
Adella Addie Foster
Allana Kylie Hill
Winward Noah Christiansen
Leeward Coleman Gwilliam
Under the sea soloists Drew Breckenridge, Mak Miller, Stephen Gravely, Landon Reese
Maid Kennedy Price
Maids (solos TBD) Annabelle Felix, Aubrey Waters, Ella Downey, Madi Baxter, Kennedy Price
Princess (solos TBD) Izzy Anderson, Courtney Heath, Brynlee Eggett, Kate Williams, Allie Omer, Kalianne Dunn
Chefs Ethan Quiroz, Michell Morehead, Noah Christiansen, Quinn Call, Kaleb Phillips, Anna Lindsay, Landon Reese, Olivia Howe, Annabelle Felix,
Brynlee Eggett, Ella Downey, Charley Smith, Kennedy Price, Violet Bigler, Stephen Gravely, Allen Lowe, Jacob Heath
Scuttle’s Crew of Birds Landon Reese, Anna Lindsay, Quinn Call, Kaleb Phillips, Olivia Howe, Brynlee Eggett, Ella Downey, Charley Smith
Sailors All boys listed above, as well as: Caleb Grover, Sam Humphreys, Mason Jasperson, Tyce Galan, Easton Peck, Eran Gonzalez, Landon Hansen, Lincoln Horchem, Brigham Bullock, Corbin Burkinshaw
Ensemble Everyone listed above, as well as: Molly Goodrich, Cayman Arko, Libby Brown, Sharon Restrepo, Harley Colqui, Maren Stapley, Lael Meyer, Ashlyn Deitlaf