By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Preparing to spend their weekend under the sea, Galion Community Theatre’s cast members of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” held their dress rehearsal Wednesday night.
Featuring a cast of children aged 8 to 18, and based on the Hans Christian Anderson story, “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” retells the Broadway version of the Disney classic in which a mermaid named Ariel, played by Elizabeth Harris, wishes to leave the kingdom of the sea and join the world of the land.
In his second gig behind the director’s chair, Eric Palmer noted that the play has been a great learning exercise for the cast.
“We are really excited to bring this opportunity to the youth in the community, and it is just a great experience for them to learn how to be confident in themselves and also just learn the theatre and what it brings into their lives.”
Palmer explained why he chose the Little Mermaid Jr. to direct.
“Growing up, The Little Mermaid was my favorite Disney movie, so if I had the opportunity to direct, it would be The Little Mermaid.”
Providing musical direction for the play is Chesley Talissé. Talissé explained how the practices have gone leading up to the dress rehearsal.
“The practices has been wonderful, we have such wonderful students, and such a wonderful cast full of energy and full of passion for acting and theatre and that has been such a joy to work with, because we don’t have to teach them to have that passion, they just have had it. It has been great,” Talissé said.
Talissé noted that the actors and actresses didn’t have long to learn the music to the play.
“We just had two days to learn the music, and that gave us the rest of the time to be on stage helping with the blocking and putting music,” Talissé said. “Because this is a musical, there is a little talking and a lot of music, so it was very important that they knew their music inside and out, and they have done a wonderful job with that; getting into character and it is difficult music, but they are doing a great job.”
Prior to performing the play for dress rehearsal the cast appeared on stage for photographs in costume. Shortly after pictures were taken of the cast, the curtain swung open as the actors and actresses began their portrayal of the play in full costume.
Harris explained how it feels to be close to performance.
“It feels great, really it is exciting,” Harris said.
“Watching the show come together with the costumes and lights,” Harris said.
Harris also noted that the most difficult part for her was the quick changes between scenes.
Taking on the role of the sea witch Ursula is Rachel Jarvis. Jarvis described her favorite aspect of playing the antagonist in the play.
“My favorite part that I like is singing ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls.’ It is a really fun song, and you get to move around a lot and be evil, it is fun,” Jarvis explained.
Jarvis noted the progress that the cast has gone through since the first practice.
“We have made a lot of progress, I think at the beginning of the show it is a little bit scary, but as you get further and further along you get better and better, it is exciting,” Jarvis said.
Jarvis added that she enjoys hearing the audience reaction as it helps her to get more into the show.
Playing Ariel’s aquatic friend Flounder is Sydney Eckert. Eckert explained what she has enjoyed about the theatre.
“It is a lot of fun, you get to meet a lot of new people,” Eckert said. “It is a lot of fun to learn new parts, see new parts, and see everything come together.”
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” will be performed at the Galion Community Theatre on Friday, August 5, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, August 6, at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; and Sunday, August 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12.