CLARKSTON -- It takes a boat load of imagination to transport an audience under the sea, where stars of the show include a mermaid, a crab and dozens of fish.
The Lewiston Civic Theatre has created an ocean kingdom for its production of Broadway’s “The Little Mermaid,” opening tonight at Clarkston High School Auditorium.
“It’s pretty magical,” Director Larry Goodwin said of the musical, closely based on the hit 1989 Disney film.
A few ways the magic manifests: Special lighting brings a landscape of coral to life. Dancers who play fish skim across stage on heelys - shoes with a wheel in the sole. Songs like “Kiss the Girl” are performed by a full orchestra directed by Brendan Burns, orchestra conductor at Lewiston High School.
“Our costumers worked night and day, literally, to come up with these costumes,” Goodwin said of outfits worn by characters like Ursula, the evil octopus sea witch that wants to sabotage Ariel’s life so she can become ruler of Atlantica.
Preparing to stage the production, the crew examined details of the Broadway show and attended a live production in Seattle, selecting ideas for their adaptation, Goodwin said. Characters are played by a mix of adults and high school students.
“I really think we’re going to do it justice.”
If You Go
What: Lewiston Civic Theatre’s production of “Little Mermaid”
When: 7:30 p.m. May 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, and June 2 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14, 21, 28, and June 4
Where: Clarkston High School Auditorium
Cost: $10 children age 12 and under, $13 age 13 through college, $15 age 60 and up, $18 general admission.
Of Note: Tickets on Thursdays are $10 for children and $12 for others.
Tickets: (208) 746-3401, www.lctheatre.org
