Gainesville Middle School for the Arts & Sciences took audiences of all ages on a magical, underwater adventure late March: all 270 seats were sold out as the cast of 49 and crew of 47 presented the musical, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid, Jr.”
From the palace to the sea, sailors, chefs and a chorus enthralled the audience in the show based on the Hans Christian Anderson story and the Disney film.
Under the musical direction of Dorothy French, the production was also in the experienced hands of music teacher and director Barbara White; co-director, producer and costume/set designer Stacey Pannebecker; and French teacher and makeup artist Peggy Hyde.
“The cast and crew for GVMS's production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ were some of most talented student's I have had the privilege to work with,” said French. “This show was undoubtedly the best production that GVMS has ever done. Even with all the practice time that was lost because of the weather, the students were always prepared and ready to work hard to catch up on lost time so that we could be ready for the performance.”
With a backdrop of coral walls, soothing water effects and fish who hung about the stage, Ursula, the sea witch, portrayed by Carleigh Hopkins, set the dark, deep-sea mood in her underwater lair, alongside her six “human” tentacles (Kasie Jackson-Hittle, Teja Brown, Bailey Smith, Natalie Basham, Samar Khalil and Ana Mineiro).
“As a volunteer, I wear many hats,” said Pannebecker. “For me, this show has been the most fun to create—the colors, the costumes, figuring out how to create something realistic while still on a budget. Our parents, my husband, cast and crew were invaluable in the creation of the sets… we had many a painting party at my house over the snow days.”
The six mersisters—Kamryn Koch, Kayla LaFroth, Jennifer Rigney, Emilie Robinson, Kaitlyn Kitchen and Katy Bresnahan—also entertained with their rendition of 60’s dancing.
"To watch these amazing young people bring the show to life never gets old," White said.
Ariel, played by Sadie Aram, stole the audience’s hearts with her voice, which was taken by Ursula, but regained again when the “land-lubber” of her life, Prince Eric (Brandon Settle), rescued her from the depths.
“I found that the cast…was a very supportive group,” Aram said. “Also my mentors, Mrs. French, Mrs. White and Mrs. Pannebecker, added to my growth as an actor.”
“This was my first show, and I found it to be very overwhelming, but everyone was very accepting," Settle said. " The role of Prince Eric was exciting and elaborate.”
King Triton (Jacob Boon) ruled his underwater kingdom with a whole host of characters, including the lovable “not a guppy” and best friend to Ariel, Flounder (Aliyah Desautels). The comedy of Sebastian the crab (Gracie Schwab) and Scuttle the seagull (Brian Burnett) kept the audience laughing.
“I've been involved with many plays, both at GVMS and community theatre. This has been my favorite show," Schwab said.
Eighth grade student, Desautels said, “I've been part of GVMS theatre for three years, and it is a wonderful drama family. It will be hard to leave, but it will always be a part of me.”
Gainesville Middle School performs three shows per school year, one of which goes to a Virginia Theatre competition, a winter play and the spring musical.
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