The Little Mermaid is the East Bay High School Drama Department’s final production of its 2018-2019 season. It features a cast and crew of more than 50 students. KRISTA BLANCHETTE PHOTO
East Bay thespians to present popular musical as their final stage show of the year
By LOIS KINDLE
East Bay High School drama students are about to bring The Little Mermaid to life May 9 to 11.
The engaging musical will come alive at 7 p.m., all three dates, in the school’s Kathryn Hill Auditorium, 7710 Big Bend Road, Gibsonton. General admission tickets for $7 will be available at 6:30 at the door.
“When considering each season’s productions, I like to balance the types of shows we produce and try to include classical literature, modern realism and, of course, a musical,” said director Krista Blanchette, drama department head.
“This visually stunning, family favorite is sure to delight people of all ages. We have not produced a Disney musical since 2007, when we did High School Musical.
“I think audiences love seeing shows like The Little Mermaid, family classics they can sing along with,” Blanchette continued. “Our production features much of the music people of all ages recognize, well-known songs from the movie like “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World,” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
Written in 1836 by Hans Christian Andersen, the original was adapted for the 1989 animated Disney film, produced by Howard Ashman and John Musker.
Blanchette explained that East Bay’s upcoming stage production of the classic follows the story line of the movie.
“Ariel is a mermaid who longs for more than her sea life,” she said. “After falling in love with a human prince, she tries to find a way to follow her dream of living above the surface, so she can be with him.”
The show is the East Bay High School Drama Department’s final production of its 2018-2019 season. It features a cast and crew of more than 50 students.
A number of East Bay alumni are assisting in the production: Ava Koob (Class of 2016), costume designer and scenic artist; Geraldine Rodriguez (Class of 2017), choreographer; Shauntelle Holbrook (Class of 2008), musical director; and Jose Rodriguez (Class of 2016), student performance coach.
“Being [involved]in the last show of the season, as well as the last show of my high school career, it’s really interesting seeing the different aspects of a well-known production like The Little Mermaid,” said Crimson Enlow, stage manager and Thespian president. “This one is so unlike the other shows we did earlier in the year. There is a lot of pressure to make it great.”
The East Bay Theatre Department competed at the District 9 Thespian Festival last October, where its talented actors took home nine superior ratings. East Bay Theatre also competed at the Florida State Thespian Festival in March and took home the Top Honors State Level Award in Duet Musical. Cast members Grey Taylor, playing Flounder, and Kemi Lawal, playing Ursula, won the prestigious award for the school.
For more information or large group reservations, call 813-671-5134, ext. 271.
