Briarcliff Middle School Stages 'Little Mermaid Jr.'

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. -- Briarcliff Middle School's weekend performances of "The Little Mermaid Jr." feature some creative tricks to stage to set a believable stage for the show that features an undersea mermaid world, a giant ship and an evil octopus, school officials say.

Briarcliff Middle School students portraying Ariel and Ursula rehearse for this week’s performances of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” with musical director Regina Leon.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Amy Maciaszek

06/03/2016 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are available through Friday afternoon for the 7 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday and a 2:30 p.m. performance Sunday. Visit showtix4u.com for ticket information. All seats cost $10 each.

Directed by Ian Driver, the production features a large cast of students playing mermaids, humans and sea creatures. Driver said students are learning "every trick in the book" to present a realistic performance.

“These creative hurdles are the most rewarding things to have to do," Driver said. "It has been a joyful experience for the cast of nearly 50 students to perform the Academy and Grammy Award-winning music from a modern classic."

The show's musical direction is by Regina Leon, with technical direction by Jim Britt, choreography by Davyd Suber and costumes by Karen Altabef.

“The songs in this show are iconic, character-driven gems,” Leon said. “The challenge is to impress upon the kids that they should not copy any past performances, but rather tell our fresh version of this story using their own unique voices."

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a book by Doug Wright. It is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film. The music was adapted and arranged by David.

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