SAMD 2021: The Little Mermaid

Needham High's Students Acting to Make a Difference, or SAMD performed The Little Mermaid this month. This student-run theater group produces an annual musical with proceeds supporting a nonprofit with themes adjacent to the show. This year's production raised a whopping $7,000 for Ocean Conservancy, a group working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Kudos to the cast, crew, and student board on this fabulous production! Check out photos below, taken by the incredible Chris Tess and Cici Hunt, along with this review from our very own Emily Flanagan:

The Little Mermaid has always been one of my favorite movies, so when I heard that my high school was putting on a production of the musical, I knew I had to go. To say I enjoyed it is an understatement. The show was extremely well cast, especially Sebastian, who couldn't have been funnier, and Ariel, whose voice was breathtaking (well, before she lost it to the sea witch).

While the costumes and sets were impressive, especially for a high school musical, I am still unsure as to why I felt so immersed in the story. I've seen the movie hundreds of times, so I know the ending, but somehow I was so caught up in the story that I found myself choked up at "Kiss the Girl." It was almost hard to laugh at Scuttle's warbling, and don't get me started on "If Only." It's easy to forget the songs from the musical that aren't in the Disney movie (except "She's in Love"- shout out to the mersisters and Flounder for an amazing performance there), but "If Only" was beautiful. So much emotion!

In conclusion, never underestimate the emotional impact of a high school production. You never know-it could even make you cry!