WILLIAMSBURG — Warhill High School will stage its spring musical, “The Little Mermaid,” May 2-4.
Based on the Disney movie, “The Little Mermaid” is the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who longs to live on the land. Striking a deal with the sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for legs, she has three days to win the affection of Prince Eric or become the witch’s slave forever.
After directing “Peter and the Starcatcher” last year, Warhill Theater Director Jacob Noble wanted to put on a show for the whole community.
“The past two years we’ve done two shows that musical-wise aren’t as well known to an audience,” Noble explained. “Going into this year, for the musical, I really wanted to do something that could bring in the whole community and that wasn’t just limited to people who could hear some PG-13 language or situations, because this show is rated for little kids. I wanted to do something that could really bring in families and really bring in the community together since we haven’t done a show yet since I’ve been here that did that.”
Ashley Remmert, a senior who plans on attending VCUarts for Graphic Design, plays Ariel. Remmert is excited to take part in the production, adding there is more to the character than what you see on the surface.
“I’ve loved ‘The Little Mermaid’ since I was three years old, and it’s been my favorite Disney movie ever since I was little, so playing Ariel is just such a dream come true to me and it just makes me really happy to be a part of this production,” Remmert said. “Ariel’s … this very bright bubbly Princess, but she’s still headstrong and you know she always wants to try to achieve her goals and dreams.”
Senior Ava Shird, who plays Ursula, has been taking part in theater at Warhill since the freshman year, including choreography. Looking at studying law and political science and potentially minoring in theater, Shird plans to go to college in New York City to have access to theater because it has been so important.
“I think Ursula is probably one of the most fun characters that I’ve ever played. I like just being able to play a villain.” Shird said. “I mean, I’m basically playing a caricature and doing these huge movements. As well as her confidence. Ursula never doubts herself. She knows exactly what she’s doing — she’s always three steps ahead, which is also something very unique.”
Noble said about 60 kids were in the cast for the show, with 25 working behind the scenes on tech crew and about 30 in the pit orchestra. Involving the student community is a big plus for the director.
“A lot of people don’t understand or realize how student-involved our shows are, because at Warhill, I have three students teaching all the vocals to the cast. I have four students working on the choreography. I also have students who are designing the costumes, who are designing all the lights, who are running the microphones, who are building the set, who are painting.” Noble said. “I think it’s a really cool part of my programming when I can tap kids to use what they learn in class and apply it to a show and take on those responsibilities and those leadership roles that are sometimes done by adults in theater departments who don’t give the students autonomy to do that.”
“The Little Mermaid will open on Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, May 3, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7 p.m. show. The show will close on May 4 with a 2 p.m. matinee.
For tickets, visit warhill.booktix.com.
