By: Michelle Kinsey—
Muncie, IN—Muncie Civic Theatre is going down under – the sea, that is — for its latest production.
The historic downtown theatre is presenting Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” live on stage June 8-24. For tickets, call 288-PLAY or go to www.munciecivic.org.
Watch the beloved animated classic come to life with your favorite characters, including Ariel, Ursula, Sebastian, and songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”
“Little Mermaid” tells the fishy tail, er tale, of Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, who wishes to pursue the human, Prince Eric, in the world above. She bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.
For Elizabeth White, who is playing Ariel, the role is an underwater dream come true.
“What little girl doesn’t dream of having a fin and swimming in the sea?!” she said. “I have also always wanted to have hair like Ariel!”
White said she admires Ariel’s “strong desire to follow her dream of being on land.”
“I think about my own dreams when I play Ariel and allow the desire and determination I have to achieve those dreams guide my portrayal of this classic princess. Also I wish that I could sing everything I was feeling instead of speaking in real life, so playing this character really allows me to live out my life as a musical!”
She admitted feeling nervous about stepping into the glittery scales and clam shells of such a well-known princess. “Then the directors told me to be my own version of Ariel and that is when everything clicked,” she said. “I realized I could relate deeply with Ariel and her desire to go after something that she loves. Also I love seeing the world for all its beauty which is what Ariel does.”
There will undoubtedly be a lot of little fans in the audience. White said she has been looking forward to that the most.
“I love performing because it is an opportunity to captivate the audience and take them on a journey out of reality and into another world,” she said. “I can’t wait for the audience to be ‘Part of Our World!’”
Andrea Replogle is taking on the other-worldy role of Ursula.
“I am having so much fun!” she said, noting that she will be sharing the stage with her youngest son, who is playing Flounder.
Replogle said Ursula is “larger than life and there are few places other than the stage where you get to be that big!, “ adding that her “costume is big and the makeup is even bigger!” She hopes she doesn’t scare kids, but that they “will see that Ursula is not kind and does not win in the end.”
Replogle, perhaps, summed up the show best.
“This will be a magical production with amazing costuming and effects,” she said. “It will be fully immersive for children of all ages! There is so much talent in the cast that you will have trouble deciding who was your favorite character. The show is funny, exciting, sincere and powerful! Come join us!”
