GRAND ISLAND – Everyone is welcome to take a trip “under the sea” at Grand Island Senior High (GISH)!
Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be performed at the GISH Center for Performing Arts as part of the school’s annual fall musical. A modern classic full of unforgettable music and spectacle, The Little Mermaid will be a wonderful experience for the whole family.
The famous Disney musical will be performed Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 at 7 p.m. and as a matinee on Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m., with all performances taking place on stage in the Grand Island Senior High auditorium. Tickets go on sale September 9 and can be purchased online at www.gips.org/gishtheatre.
For a GISH senior, the show is an exciting opportunity to step into a famous role.
“I grew up watching The Little Mermaid. Ariel was one of my favorite princesses.” Olivia Madison, who will play Ariel in the series, said: “I remember watching The Little Mermaid at GISH in 2015 and seeing one of my favorite movies come to life. I remember wanting to experience that for myself. I feel so honored that little kids can watch me and feel the same way I did back then.”
The cast and crew consists of nearly 100 Grand Island Senior High students, both on stage and behind the curtain. An impressive demonstration of the students’ talent in producing this magical show.
Continuing a new tradition, GISH artists will be joined by a group of special guests.
The troupe is rounded out by about 40 other students from the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS). A group of students from grades 4 to 8 at GIPS form the “Young Ensemble” to fill the stage in large groups.
Looking ahead to the fun to come, another GISH senior shared his excitement about bringing the Disney magic to the stage.
“I am so excited to play Sebastian!” says Grady Brisnehan, senior at GISH. “I can’t wait to see the Grand Island community come together in November to watch the show.”
In total, the show will showcase the talents of nearly 140 students from Grand Island Senior High and GIPS. From beloved songs like “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea” to iconic characters Ariel, Ursula, Sebastian, Flounder and more, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is set to be a magical musical for the entire Grand Island community.
“We are so excited to bring this classic Disney story to life!” said Katherine Welk, GISH Music Director. “This musical is something that people of all ages can enjoy. And we can offer the young ensemble of 4th-8th graders the special experience of performing on one of the largest stages in the state! I hope this motivates students to continue to be involved in the fine arts and inspires those who attend the show to become part of their own school’s arts ensembles or support the programs we have here in Grand Island.”
The cast and crew for the production have been announced:
POUR
Ariel – Olivia Madison
Prince Eric – Alex Weaver
Sebastian – Grady Brisnehan
Scuttle – Alekzander Kuebler
Ursula – Tessa Bockoven
King Triton – Elijah Meier Juarez
Flounder – Damien Hester
Flotsam and jetsam – Noah Javorsky
Jetsam – Claire Gartner
Grimsby – Cael Wiegert
Adella – Katelyn Sodomka
Allana – Britton Sackschewsky
Andrina – Alijhandra Kirschbaum
Aquata – Cadence Gidcumb
Arista – Lydia Hayden
Atina – Kennedy Miller
Chef Louis – Orvin Rubio Hernandez
Princesses: Adeline Woods, Alisea Sweet, Alijhandra Kirschbaum, Cassidy Boettger, Isabella Bramble, Sydnee Davis
Pilot – Prestin Meier
Windward – Ribaldo Mejia Martin
Leeward – Mateo Reynoso Bautista
Maids: Hana Butters, Karina Calmo, Lucy Lopez, Raquel Lopez Perez
SAILOR: Aiden Kluender, Coen Thorpe, Ethan Wichman, Gage Devall, Greyson Hashman, Holden Wemhoff, Jace Bergmeier, John Adams, Josue Nava, Kainen Mora, Malik Hansen, Mateo Reynoso Bautista, Orvin Rubio Hernandez, Ribaldo Mejia Martin, Skyler Vollmer, Tristan Osborn, Ulises Acosta
SEAGULLS: Aiden Kluender, Alisea Sweet, Bella Roe, Britton Sackschewsky, Cara Camplin, Daniela Cortes, Jaylynn Mercer, Karina Calmo, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Lucy Stoppkotte, Lydia Hayden, Mateo Reynoso Bautista, Reagan Kort, Ribaldo Mejia Martin, Saydee Gomez, Skyler Vollmer
Chefs: Aiden Kluender, Coen Thorpe, Gage Devall, John Adams, Kainen Mora, Mateo Reynoso Bautista, Ribaldo Mejia Martin, Ulises Acosta
SEA CREATURES: Adeline Woods, Aiden Kluender, Alianna Wemhoff, Alicia Cardenas, Alisea Sweet, Alyssha Abrajan, Anaaliyah Mendez, Anna Jessop, Anna May, Bella Roe, Briana Arrieta, Brooke Miller, Cara Camplin, Cassidy Boettger, Claudia White, Daisy Robertson, Daniela Cortes, Dante Jessop, Elizabeth Stanley, Emaleigh Dreher, Emery Clark, Ethan Wichman, Gabi Avila, Gracyn Tennant, Greyson Hashman, Gwen Cox, Hana Butters, Hannah Jones, Holden Wemhoff, Isabella Bramble, Jace Bergmeier, Jaylynn Mercer, John Adams , Josue Nava, Kainen Mora, Karina Calmo, Kaylee Kamper, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Lucy Stoppkotte, Lucy Lopez, Madison Wieczorek, Malia McNeal, Malik Hansen, Marcela Zepeda Cano, Miley Edwards, Molly Bressler, Natalie Flores, Prestin Meier, Raquel Lopez, Regan Kort, Rhiana Perez-Orozco, Saydee Gomez, Skyler Vollmer, Sofie Betancourt, Sophia Mora, Sydnee Davis, Tristan Osborn, Ulises Acosta
STAGE CREW:
Angela Garcia Gomez, Claudia White, Dulceangel Zamora-Almanza, Elise Phinney, Isabella Garduno Hespe, Makenna Darling, Neylyn Marcos Alvarado, Sarah Wichman, Steven Diaz Hinojosa, Zoey Ramirez
YOUNG ENSEMBLE:
Ada White Edyn Chess Madilyn Seim
Addisyn Brown Emma Butters Marlee Vodehnal
Alessandra Vazquez Galilea Alvarado Maya Garrett
Anastasia Rosas Genesis White Monroe Vodehnal
Ariela Meier-Juarez Gideon Adams Mya Bernal
Aubrie Roe Harper Spiehs Olivia Dooley
Avery Antillon Hope Karr Paelyn Wheeler
Avery Dudo Jeremy Smith Reagan Mader
Benjamin Adams Joslynn Battershaw Sadie Moritz
Cadence Salyers, Kamry Sybrandts, Sophia Cruz
Calli Christensen Lillie Berg Vivian Igo
Cameron Davis Lucy Schlegel Yosalmy Estrada
Zachary Hazelton
DIRECTOR: Katherine Welk
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Jesse LaBrie
Performances of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” presented by Grand Island Senior High, will be held November 1 and 2 at 7:00 p.m. and November 3 at 2:00 p.m. at the GISH Auditorium.
Advance ticket sales for the musical begin September 9 and can be purchased online at www.gips.org/gishtheatre.