Quaker Valley High School presents Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’
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Quaker Valley High School musical students and staff are excited to have the public be part of their world once again.
After a video/streamed performance of last year’s musical due to covid restrictions, auditorium doors will reopen mid-March for the Broadway version of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”
More than 500 seats were made available for the show. Guests will have to wear masks.
“We wanted something that would bring out a really big crowd and something that the entire family could enjoy,” director Austin Wolford said. “What better choice than a Disney musical?
“It’s been really great to be back. Having a return to live theater is something I think a lot of people are looking forward to. We’ve even added a show this year. We have a Saturday matinee, which we haven’t had for a very, very long time. There’s a different type of energy with all the rehearsals, with everyone involved in the show being back to live stuff.”
Junior Miralhi Taylor-Martin feeds off that energy. The musical veteran has been in Quaker Valley productions since fifth grade. This year, she has been swimming right along as the lead, Ariel.
“I am obsessed with storytelling,” she said. “I love stories. It’s a community we’ve built within these shows. It’s really something special and that I value a lot.
“Every day is a new adventure because we’re such a tight group. It’s nice to know that we have a refuge after school where you can be yourself. I know that’s so cheesy and so musical theater kid to say, but it’s true. I’m an animated human being. Being here is really nice because everyone kind of matches that energy. Everyone is nice and supportive and we really try to accept each other and help each other out when we can.”
Miralhi said she connects with Ariel’s adventurous spirit.
“She wants to find a place to belong,” Miralhi said. “Who doesn’t want to belong somewhere? I feel I relate to her in that aspect. She’s so curious and wants to know everything that she can, which I also relate to. She’s a fun puzzle to solve.
Students rehearsed with masks and have to wear them backstage, but they will likely be off during the show.
Wolford likened it to a sports game in which the players are maskless on the field and have face coverings on the bench.
There are about 40 students in the cast, 15 in the stage crew and a handful in the pit orchestra.
However, Wolford said many more students are contributing to the show from the crafters in construction class to painters and ushers.
“It is their show,” Wolford said about student involvement. “I help them get there. The rest of our production staff help all of them get there, but at the end of the day, it is the students’ show. They are the ones that are on stage acting. They are the ones on our crew making that are all the scene changes happen. Half of our pit is made up of student musicians.”
He said the production is ahead of schedule thanks to all the student contributions and enthusiasm, allowing for more time to fine-tune each scene.
“I know that this show is going to be phenomenal,” Wolford said. “We can already see it in rehearsal. We’ve been able to be really picky on things that we normally never get to … Every single rehearsal they come in and they’re pushing it to the limit.”
Rehearsals began in December. This is the seventh musical for producer and stage manager Christine Forrest.
Her responsibilities include ensuring the show has whozits and whatzits galore, and all essential thingamabobs in the two-act, 23-scene production.
“It’s a lot of moving parts,” Forrest said. “It really keeps me on my toes, and I’ve been very fortunate to have kids that are very committed to this. Their hearts are in it, and it’s great to see just the bonding that happens. That makes the job easier, too.
“They are further along in preparation than I’ve ever seen a cast. I think that speaks to the fact that the kids are so excited to be back doing theater live. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and I think that’s really what’s guiding this.”
Senior Ilijana Hasak plays the seagull Scuttle. This is her third musical and first as dance captain.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be the dance captain the past four years,” she said. “It’s super nice to be in a leadership position and taking a stand and making sure all the students know they have someone to go to. Just being a bigger part of the show feels good working with everybody.”
Hasak said her previous roles have been more dramatic and she is excited to let loose as a goose — or gull.
“It’s definitely a fun role for me,” she said. “It’s fun getting to mess around on stage and have a comedic, humorous aspect of a performance.”
While Hasak gets everyone in step, senior Stella Christensen helps them look the part.
She is the costume designer and plays Flounder.
Christensen said she loves how Flounder tries to be brave and is best friends with Ariel.
“I always loved Flounder because he tries so hard to be confident, but he’s always just a little scared,” she said. “He really puts himself out there, and I just love that.”
There are more than 110 costumes in the production. Christensen said she is up for the challenge.
“I just love telling the story of the character through what they’re wearing,” she said. “We all express who we are with our clothing, and so do the characters on stage. It’s definitely one of the more difficult shows to costume because instead of people being people, people are sea creatures – which is not the easiest thing (to design).”
Christensen credits her mother, Michelle, a professional costume designer, with teaching her how to sew. She also thanked Michelle and other “costume moms” for their help with the clothing.
Performances of “The Little Mermaid” will take place at the high school auditorium, 625 Beaver St. Shows are March 10 and 11 at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.; March 12 at 2 and 7 p.m., doors open at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., respectively. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. A senior citizen dinner is scheduled for March 9 at 5 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, followed by a musical preview at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Registration is required.
For more information, visit qvhsmusical.ludus.com.