Plymouth Middle Schoolers Present ‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’
Those looking for some color to carry them through the winter blues need to look no further than Robbinsdale Middle School. There, Plymouth Middle School students are performing “The Little Mermaid Jr.”
“The Little Mermaid Jr.” is a story about finding yourself. That’s fitting for a group of middle schoolers.
“So much of middle school is that push-pull between really wanting independence, and trying to figure out who you are and break free from your parents,” said Nina Jonson, the show’s director.
Isabel Clifton, who plays Ariel, sees those themes clearly.
“It starts out with Ariel living her life in the sea, even though its never enough for her. She wants to go on land and see that whole other world,” Isabel said. “Then she finally gets her chance, so she takes it. But, obviously, sometimes those chances have a cost. Which is the motto of the whole show.”
Isabel said she’s grateful for a chance to perform and share the story with her classmates. Next to Isabel, her good friend Opal Molitor is playing Prince Eric.
“As long as you know how to act, it’s not that hard to just step into any role,” Opal said.
Little Mermaid Junior actor sings onstage as Ursula.
Opal’s role isn’t the only gender-bent role in Plymouth Middle School’s production: Sebastian is played by a female student and Ursula the sea witch by a male student.
“In our show, we thought it was important that we cast the right kids. And for us, it didn’t really matter the gender, the race, the grade, the height. It was just if this is the right person for the show, it’s the right person for the show,” Jonson explained.
A Part of Their World
Jonson said the kids make the show special. The set was designed by students, just a small fraction of the 101-piece cast and crew.
The show is also interactive– people can buy bubbles and use them during certain scenes so the audience is immersed in the story.
Isabel and Opal play Ariel and Prince Eric in Plymouth Middle’s production.
“I just think this is the most fun, most interesting, most creative age around. So getting to put on a show with these 101 awesome actors and tech kids is just the best way to spend the winter, that I can think of,” Jonson said.
The show opens on Thursday, Jan. 25, with a 7 p.m. performance. Additional performances are on Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 27, at both 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
While the performance is put on by Plymouth Middle School, it will be held at Robbinsdale Middle School’s Auditorium on Toledo Ave.
