GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Little Mermaid, the musical performed by Gridley High School students and assisted by Sycamore School, was enchanting and delightful on its opening night, Thursday, March 10.

The three-day long show pulled in many with its creative sets and outstanding youth talent. The youthful energy, shear fun and humor of this musical was well represented by all the participants, from the actors to the lighting and video.  The music was provided by a sound and video system designed for this production.  All characters sang their parts to this soundtrack with accompanying video projection enhancing the stage sets, along with the use of black lighting to make elements like coral and the electric eels pop on stage. 

The sets themselves were made by the students and adult volunteers involved in the play.  Each set was designed to represent various rooms in the undersea palace.  From sparkling lights in coral formations made of pool noodles, jellyfish made of metallic and glowing ribbons, to thrones and the wonderful bedroom set of Ariel with all of her found treasures from the land, like forks and mirrors.  These sets were moved by the stagehands in well-researched set changes.  The costumes were very lively and well designed.  The evil eels walked off stage with twinkling purple “electric” lights, while Sebastian the crab, played by Lily Morgan, strutted around in bright bespangled crimson"'sassy and dramatic.

Every singer put forth their best performance.  Ariel, performed by McKenna Swanson was excellently represented by McKenna’s clear and lovely voice.  Another stand-out voice was that of Ursula, the Sea Witch, performed by Alexia Venegas.  Her minions, the evil eels Flotsam and Jetsam, performed by Alicia Torres and Alexis Maldonado, added verve and rib-tickling fun as villains.  All the other major players were full of fun and made for a delightful play. Marc Emmick, representing Prince Eric, was true-blue; King Triton, played by Grayson Sannar was strong and powerful.

This adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic story into a musical by Disney is a joyful celebration of the rebelliousness of youth that then turns out OK.  These students did all the rehearsing after school, on their own time supported by staff and community volunteers.  All local sponsors: Rotary Club, John Neiswanger, Lions Club, Children’s Hope, FFA, Quota, Joe Cunha of Edward Jones, Ace Hardware, Caldwell’s Cabinets and GUSD are to be congratulated for making this delightful, fun production possible.