The Wakefield Republican -

It’s getting hotter under the water at The Little Red Hen Theatre of Wakefield, Nebraska this summer as they prepare for Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Held over two weekends, July 15 – 17 and 22 – 24, Disney’s The Little Mermaid promises to be an enchanting experience for audiences of all ages. Originally produced on Broadway with music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, the fishy fable will capture hearts with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”
The production at the Little Red Hen Theatre features a cast of 43 performers of all ages who hail from Wakefield, Wayne, Pender, Allen, Ponca, and Sioux City. The cast started rehearsals in late May. “We’ve been having a fantastic time putting this magical show together” says Managing Director T. Adam Goos, “it’s a big job for everyone involved. We’ve spent countless hours working on costumes, building sets and props, as well as creating sea creature puppets. Not to mention the amazing amount of work the cast has put in to learn music and choreography. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic production. I think audiences will be swept away”.
Producing a musical is always a big undertaking, and The Little Mermaid is no exception. It features more music, sets, costumes, lights, and special effects than any other show put on by the theatre. To help bring the show to life, The Little Mermaid features costumes made locally and from Ibsen’s Costume of Omaha, has additional lighting and sound equipment, and features projections. The theatre has also created over 40 puppets for underwater scenes. As magical as the technical elements are, the” heart” of the show lies in the “talents and work of the actors who are telling the story”, says Goos.
The cast includes Amanda Stuhr as Ariel, Daniel G. Oldenkamp as Prince Eric, Lindsay Bottger as Ursula, Katleyn Pommer as Sebastian, Barb Farup as Scuttle, Michael J. Pommer as Triton, Blake Craig as Grimsby, Maria Paredes as Flounder, Dawn Reimers as Flotsam, Victoria Nelson as Jetsam, Brian Johnson as Chef Louis, Jackson Pommer as Chef Louis and Pilot. Other featured cast members include Olivia Dekok, Eve Gilmore, Lexie Jackson, Kinslee Metzler, Rosalia Paredes, and Abby Wieseler as the Mersisters and Princess. The Adult Ensemble features Brandi Kolbeck, Elizabeth Carlson, Kayla Wiltman, Megan Engel, Monica Ebmeier, Rachel Ebmeier, and Sophia Sebade. The Teen Ensemble features Abbigail Ruhland, Alyssa Weaver, Coltlynn Lortz, Diego Ruivalcaba, Dorothy Sullivan, Mayte Flores Garcia, Miguel Ibarra, Mirella Ruvalcaba, Nate Johnson, and Sawyer Brudigam. Arianna Nicole Juarez, Ella Reimers, Helena Wiltman, Khloe Kolbeeck, Lillian Wiltman, Lydia Engel, Madelyne Herting, Madison Kolbeck, Nora Sebade, and Sawyer Miller are featured in the Youth Ensemble. The production is led by T. Adam Goos as Stage Director and Esly Ovando as Music Director, with assistance from Scott Mead, Melanie Loggins, and Audrey Loggins.
Individual tickets are on sale and can be purchased at www.littleredhentheatre.com, or by calling the box office at (402) 287-2818. Performances are July 15 and 16 at 7PM, July 17 at 2PM, July 22 and 23 at 7PM, and July 24 at 2PM. Seating is reserved and tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/youth and seniors.
The Little Red Hen Theatre provides quality arts experiences for Northeast Nebraska through participation in live theatrical productions, educational opportunities, and other cultural and community offerings. For information about upcoming events call 402.287.2818 or visit www.littleredhentheatre.com