Sussex Middle School to present 'The Little Mermaid'

SUSSEX BOROUGH — The Sussex Middle School Theatre Dept. will present "The Little Mermaid" on Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance on Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m. with a performance of "The Little Mermaid" in the school auditorium.

The school is located on located on Loomis Avenue.

This production reunites directors/teachers Leslie Brooks and Kerri Freda for the first time since 2011. The last time the two directors worked together they directed a highly revered version of "Beauty and the Beast."

For months teachers, students, and parents have eagerly anticipated the return of the directorial team.

During the past four months, students in grades 5-8 have been rehearsing, acting, dancing, and singing to bring "The Little Mermaid" to the surface and deliver an outstanding performance of the Disney classic that recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The original movie was released in 1989 and has enjoyed continuous success through performances at Disney World and on Broadway.

Some of the most famous showstoppers are "Under the Sea," "She's In Love," "Les Poisson," and the ballad, "Part of Your World."

"The Little Mermaid" centers on a restless teenage mermaid, Ariel, who possesses a beautiful singing voice but would rather pine away for the human world then sing for her family and friends. Ariel rescues and falls in love with Prince Eric but is forbidden by her father, King Triton, to pursue the human world. The king insists a crabby but musically talented crab, Sebastian, look over the princess. Ariel gets into trouble, along with her best friends, Flounder and Scuttle, when Ariel trusts the octopus, Ursula, and her slimy sidekicks, Flotsam and Jetsam.

Eighth-graders Randi Wask and Benjamin Morisson portray Ariel and Prince Eric. Other cast members include: Athena Garrison as Sebastian, Katelyn White as Ursula, Colleen Badrow as Scuttle, Caroline Reese as Flounder, Ralph Rocco as King Triton, Evan Poust as Grimsby, Madison Cole as Flotsam, Lillian Pantel as Jetsam, Brielle Morris as Chef Louis and the pilot, and Vivienne Diaz as Carolotta. Peyton McGuire, Gabrielle Ramaglino, Sarah Hamilton, Hannah Ranzan, Lizzie Crissey and Lillian Ahrendt portray Ariel's mersisters and are featured in several musical numbers including "Daughters of Triton" and "She's in Love."

Tickets for reserved seating can be purchased from the Sussex Middle School office or at the auditorium's box office on the night of the performances,

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. For more information please call 973-875-4178.