Norwin goes ‘under the sea’ for spring musical
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Editor’s note: The Norwin High School production of “The Little Mermaid” has not been canceled. During this unprecedented time, the production has been postponed until medical professionals and government officials deem it safe for public schools to reconvene. New performance dates will be released. All current ticket holders will then be able to attend the show.
The stage at the Norwin High School auditorium will be filled with a cast of more than 110 students who will bring to life the Disney version of “The Little Mermaid,” based on the Hans Christian Anderson story of a 16-year-old mermaid who rebels against her father and falls in love with a prince.
The Norwin High School Theatre Company decided to do “The Little Mermaid” because “this show was a perfect fit for our students and the amazing talent at Norwin,” said Lauren Scheirer, a Norwin High School choir teacher who co-directs the show with Erin Shrader.
It is the largest cast that Scheirer and Shrader have directed. The two have been co-directors of the Norwin High School Theatre Company for 17 productions spanning a period of nine years.
“This show is a huge undertaking. With so many cast members involved keeping things organized both on and offstage is a challenge. Every cast member is expected to know their staging and choreography well so that the show can run like a well-oiled machine,” Shrader said.
Scheirer, who also serves as music director, vocal coach and producer, and Shrader, who also serves as the choreographer and costume director, are joined by Todd Leighty, the technical director and stage crew sponsor, in putting the musical together. They have been working with the students in rehearsals since January.
The audience will be able to see the results of that hard work when “The Little Mermaid,” is performed at 7 p.m. March, 19, 20 and 21, and at 2 p.m. March 22. Tickets will be sold from 10 a.m. to noon March 14 at the Norwin High School auditorium and online at nhstheatrecompany.com. All seats are reserved and tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.
Two senior girls, Lauren Leoni and Kelsy Levendosky, share the lead role of Ariel, the 16-year-old girl who is fascinated with life on the land, despite her father’s opposition to her spending time on the surface of the water. Levendosky will appear on opening night and Saturday, while Leoni will take the lead on Friday and Sunday.
When they were auditioning studentsl, Scheirer said they felt that “both Kelsy and Lauren were superb as Ariel, so we decided the best thing to do was to double-cast the role.”
Both girls are excited about playing Ariel.
“I like it, especially because it is a Disney show. It is a really common story that everyone knows and there’s kids of all ages in the show, not just high school. I think that’s really nice,” Leoni said.
Levendosky said she also loves the show because it has both high school and younger students.
“I love the story behind it, just a young mermaid wanting to be a part of something she isn’t. Having that attitude of curiosity and positivity and everything. She is just so carefree,” Levendosky said. “There are a lot of great numbers that everyone knows.”