Norwin adjusts for 'The Little Mermaid' performances

The Norwin High School Theatre Company’s production of “The Little Mermaid” is not going under the sea, but it will be heading outside.

The musical will be performed under the lights in the Norwin Knights Stadium at 8 p.m. May 6-9.

Performance of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” was canceled last year when the governor closed schools to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The performers will sing and dance on the stadium field which will be transformed into Ariel’s world — both on land and sea. The audience also will be able to enjoy pre-recorded music and scenes on the stadium scoreboard’s while the cast is performing on the field.

Such are the changes that are made so the show to go on during a time of covid.

“The extravagant spectacle and original format will provide the Norwin community with a new and exciting theatrical experience,” said Lauren Scheirer, the co-director/producer.

The production consists of 70 Norwin High School students as cast and crew members, and a young ensemble of students in grades four through eight, Scheirer said.

There will be two casts for eight primary roles, including Ariel, Sebastian, Eric and Triton. One cast will perform on Thursday and Saturday and the other cast will perform on Friday and Sunday.

“This had been an unprecedented year but we have amazing and resilient cast members that have worked hard to create an unprecedented production,” said Erin Shrader, who is co-director/choreographer.

Shrader and Scheirer are assisted in the production by Todd Leighty, who is the technical director.

One advantage of taking the musical performance outside is that the shows on Saturday and Sunday will conclude with a pyrotechnics display by Zambelli Fireworks.

“Live theater has always been a growing and changing entity so it’s exciting to rise above the challenges and adapt our typical stage version into a new and exciting experience,” Shrader said.