Three performances remain
If you've thought about attending, there are three performances remaining for you to get your ticket and see the play before its run closes.
This classic Disney tale, based on the 2008 Broadway production and the 1989 Academy Award® winning animated feature film, contains all of the songs from the film, as well as three new songs from the Broadway show. The Little Mermaid Jr. takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she’s the girl with the perfect voice
After each show, audience members have an opportunity to meet the cast, see the costumes up close, and have pictures taken with their favorite characters.
The Little Mermaid is staged here locally by the Bonners Ferry Summer Youth Theatre. Summer Youth Theatre is now in its seventh year of producing and presenting plays for our community. The Little Mermaid is the most recent in a long line of summertime productions, sometimes two productions per season, for our local youth theatre company. Over the years, the Summer Youth Theatre has presented Pirates of Penzance, Peter Pan, Grease, 101 Dalmatians, Back to the 80's, Little Shop of Horrors, Wizard of Oz, Cats, and Once on this Island. That is a lot of big time plays!
In this production of The Little Mermaid, approximately 50 children and youth, ranging in age from 4 through 18, are participating, either as actors on the stage, or as behind-the-scenes support staff. The group has been working hard on this production, with background work beginning back in December 2013. In February, workshops for those interested in auditioning were held, with auditions shortly thereafter. Certain cast members began rehearsing as early as May, with full rehearsals starting on June 16. All this hard work came together as the play opened last week, with this week being the final week of performances.
Our reports indicate that participants in the production find the work involved to be quite hard, but with great rewards. "Most [of the actors] love being on stage in their costumes, being able to sing, dance, and learn how to act," said Summer MacDonald, Publicity Coordinator for the play. "The common theme, however, is how much they all just enjoy being around each other. I’ve watched rehearsals, and they can be grueling. The performers are asked to do scenes over again and again until everything – sounds, lights, cues, emotions, etc. – are just right," Ms. MacDonald added.
"I have observed that there becomes a real feeling of 'family'. The work is hard, the rehearsals are long, they spend hours putting on makeup and costumes, but the backstage area is full of laughter and friendship," she said.
Bonners Ferry's Summer Youth Theatre provides an opportunity for children and youth of all ages to have the opportunity to enjoy the performing arts, and to learn confidence, stage presence, public speaking and leadership skills, and to just have a great time. There is a place available for anyone who is interested. Some roles are more appropriate for older or more experienced performers, while there are roles for those who are younger or are just becoming interested in performing. There are opportunities for individuals who are interested in the technical aspect of stage production, as well, including lights and sound.
Our local community has been invaluable in helping to support the Summer Youth Theatre endeavor. Dawn and David Carpenter have spent countless hours over the years in working with and directing the various productions. Many local community members have donated their time and supplies in providing for costume design, sewing skills, carpentry skills, painting skills, and in performing any other task that is needed to support the production. A group of middle school students, along with their art teacher and Barb Colegrove, a very talented artist, painted two backdrops that are placed in the auditorium. Boundary County School District supports the program by providing full access to the auditorium space. Local businesses have made donations or have paid to have their ads in the play's program in support of the production.
"The past seven years would not have been possible without the many volunteers who have helped to create sets, costumes, props, publicized productions and a variety of other technical specialties,” said David Carpenter, program director.
All youth who are interested in the performing arts and want to be involved are invited to consider the Bonners Ferry Summer Youth Theatre. This year, the youngest company member is four, while there is a handful of students who have graduated from high school and are heading off to college in the fall. There are even some college students who have previously returned and participated during the summer between their college semesters.
Remember, just three performances of The Little Mermaid are left! Performances are at the auditorium at Bonners Ferry High School. Tickets are available for advance purchase at Mountain Mike's and Bonners Books, as well as at the door. Prices are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students/seniors. Six tickets can be purchased for the price of five.
Summer MacDonald, Publicity Coordinator for The Little Mermaid, contributed to this report.