Franklin Regional students prepare to stage ‘The Little Mermaid’ in March
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Getting into character generally isn’t a huge challenge for Franklin Regional senior Haylee Phillips.
Unless that character is Flotsam, an evil eel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Then it’s a little trickier.
“I get to wear heelies, so I can skate around,” said Phillips, 17, referring to tennis shoes with a small roller-skating wheel in the heel. “But my costume is pretty elaborate. It’s putting me out of my comfort zone.”
“They should be called ‘eelies,’ ” joked her castmate, sophomore Jack Krieger, 16.
Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, “The Little Mermaid” tells the story of the mermaid Ariel, who trades her fins for a shot at true love with a human prince.
Krieger is one of two students playing that prince; the other is senior Phillip Olszewski, 17.
Director Mark Wolfgang double-cast leads as a precaution against covid-related issues, but he said a more relaxed atmosphere this school year has been helpful.
“It’s more natural when we’re at rehearsals,” Wolfgang said. “We’ve been able to largely return to traditional rehearsals and choreography work.”
The cast and crew of about 115 have been rehearsing since early January. They’ve started to complete full run-throughs of the show, which will lead into technical rehearsals and performances before audiences, March 10-13 at Franklin Regional Senior High School.
Senior Joey Linde, 18, will play the lead role of Ariel alongside fellow senior Emma Culley.
“I think I found every version of ‘Little Mermaid’ that I could on YouTube,” Linde said. “Plus, my sister is obsessed with it, so I’m very familiar with ‘the lore.’ ”
Culley, 17, said she’s looking forward to smaller children’s reactions to the show.
“I love how involved the kids get with it,” she said.
Kids will have an even better chance to get involved when the FR Theatre Guild brings back its Sunday children’s brunch before the show’s final performance March 13.
The “Meet the Cast!” event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a photo booth, crafts, games, snacks and photos/autographs with the show’s leads. The cost is $15. Register by emailing FRtheatre guild@gmail.com.
Wolfgang said directing the musical is among the most rewarding aspects of his job as a teacher.
“The kids enjoy being here. They have fun being here,” he said. “I teach science, but I think the kids learn just as much that they can take out into the real world through something like this.”
Tickets for “The Little Mermaid” go on sale at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the musical’s website, FRHSmusical.com. They are $15 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets also can be purchased in person at the high school, 3200 School Road in Murrysville.
For details, visit FRHS musical.com.