The classic story of The Little Mermaid comes to life this month with the help of Cave Spring Middle School’s Drama Club and veteran Director Rebecca Long. This is the 9th year that Long has directed the school’s annual play along with Assistant Director Kate Garcia who has been with Rebecca since the beginning. Suzy Wilson is the music director, Lauren Williams is the set designer, Tori Long is the costume designer as well as an assistant director, and Emily Long is the stage manager and also an assistant director.

The show opens Thursday, February 21 at 7pm and runs Friday, February 22 at 7pm as well. On Saturday, February 23, there are two shows: 2pm and 7pm as well as a Princess Parade at 1:30pm before the 2pm matinee. The Princess Parade is something new and exciting this year. This is the chance for you to dress as your favorite princess and have your picture taken with Ariel on stage!

In this junior version of The Little Mermaid, CSMS students bring to life the story of the young, impressionable mermaid named Ariel (Peyton Conner), who falls in love with a human Prince named Eric, (Garrett Briener). Along with Ariel and Prince Eric, the cast includes all the classic characters: King Triton (CJ Poulsen), Flounder (Hunter Hartman), Scuttle (Joslynn Lankford), Ursula (Brook Ludy), and Sebastian (Lauren Gill) to name just a few. In fact, Rebecca Long said that this year’s cast has doubled since last year’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.” To put it in perspective: last year there were around 35 cast members as opposed to this year’s cast which includes almost 70 kids! But Rebecca and her volunteers all handle it in stride. It’s easy to tell that these women are not only great at what they do, but they certainly love it too.  When asked why she does this year after year, Rebecca responded: “Middle school aged students often face a wide range of issues from lack of self-esteem and confidence to a lack of good friends. It is for this reason that I encourage drama. We provide a safe place to be creative and to make new friends. It is a way to gain confidence in yourself while playing a character, which can then be used in real life situations.”

The entire cast list is below:

Pilot: Hunter Murphy

King Triton: CJ Poulsen

Flounder: Hunter Hartman

Chef Louis: Demetri Poulos

Ariel: Peyton Conner

Prince Eric: Garrett Briener

Ursula: Brook Ludy

Grimbsy: Zach Early

Sebastian: Lauren Gill

Scuttle: Joslynn Lankford

Carlotta: Lilly Mitchell

Flotsam: Dino Oikonomou

Jetsam: Matt Christopher

Seagulls: Rachael French and Claire Lawson

Mersisters: Britton Olsen, Isabella Lerch, Ariana Jones, Audrey Kidd, Sierra Armstrong, Morgan Cundiff

Sea Chorus and Dance Captain: Sarah Christensen

Sea Chorus: Kasey Skaff, Sarah Hamilton, Bianca Roman, Sara Stewart

Seahorse: Avery Poulsen

Tentacles: Lexie Agee, Julia Booker, Lynn Fimbel, Katlin Mullens, Demi Pelcman, Caroline Spruell, Katie Harris

Princesses: Alexandria Alldredge, Rachel Boch, Sarabeth Chapman, Casey Fentress, Lexi Lawrence, Olivia Tull

Sailors: Kara Buck, Cara Ghaphery, Hannah Gillispie, Mackenzie Hamby, Mary Beth Hamby, Michael Kyle, Michelle Zillioux

Lagoon Animals: Alison Bassant, Natalie Bingham, Emma Fields, Dayle McGraw, Alix Rainsbury, Bailey Waller Smith

Sea Creatures: Lilly Bay, Zoie Clark, Andrew Ditmore, Evan Levy, Meg Stephens, Laney Adams

Chefs: Noah Arseneau, Cooper Brandetsas, Cecily Doyle, Geneva Grochowski, Jillian Keith, Mathew Colozza, Kaitlyn Taylor, Jessie Trible