This article is being published in Kaleidoscope’s Winter 2026 Print Edition. We are preemptively posting it here for easy and timely access.
On a frigid February evening, Kaleidoscope attended the first technical rehearsal of Ward Melville’s production of “The Little Mermaid”—a timeless tale of unbound love, unshakeable friendship, and inexhaustible aspiration. Arriving early in an auditorium alive long past the final bell, we had the privilege of witnessing an onstage act that few outside the theatrical world have seen firsthand: actors cramming lines in half-costume and crew members rushing props to their places, scuttling behind the curtains just as darkness and quiet blanketed the once-bustling hall.
Unlike the electrically-energetic buzz familiar to audiences on performance nights, whispered determination hung in the air as Hannah Pawluk and Lilly Maher—lead director and student-director, respectively—assembled cast, crew and pit for the first time to piece together the production of this year’s school musical. This short-lived silence was broken as a velvety drumroll reverberated through the room, cueing spotlights to illuminate our starry-eyed protagonist Ariel (Lily Meschi) perched atop a sea-stranded rock on center stage.
She was joined by a talented leading cast that brought the vibrant characters of “The Little Mermaid” to life: the short-tempered and overprotective King Triton (Julien Maurer); the unyieldingly loyal Flounder (Shannon Orr); the sassy and high-strung Sebastian (Ariella Mossey); the endearingly eccentric Scuttle (Gianna Prinzevalli); the villainous and vengeful Ursula (Kaylin Zeidler); and the charming Eric (Tommy Poor), prince of Ariel’s dreams.
In a story shaped by both the allure of our heroine’s vocals and the stark contrast between oppressive ocean and liberating land, no aspect of this musical performance, cast nor crew, fell short.
The cast of accomplished student actors was able to satisfyingly capture both the individuality of each unique character and the bonds they share amongst each other. Perhaps most impressive was the dynamic between Ariel and her friends Flounder, Sebastian and Scuttle. Orr skillfully encapsulated the wholesome loyalty of the cartoon clownfish, establishing unconditional love as a prevailing theme of the show. Mossey masterfully explored Sebastian’s complex character and allegiances through her comedic timing and spot-on delivery of the crustacean’s lines. Bringing the trio together, Prinzevalli emulated Scuttle’s scatterbrained, blissful unawareness through cartoonish animation even as she led a high-spirited tap dance in the sure-to-be highlight “Positoovity.”
As for the star actors, Meschi passionately belted Ariel’s desire to traverse the surface in the iconic solo “Part of Your World,” although—or perhaps, because—she is expressly forbidden from doing so by her father. Zeidler cemented the sea witch Ursula as a fan-favorite through a dryly humorous characterization and an unforgettable hairdo. And Poor impressively executed choreography and winning appeal, establishing his chemistry with Meschi as a memorable cornerstone of the show. Their growing love shined brightest in the duo numbers “One Step Closer” and “Kiss the Girl,” where the young prince and princess get to know each other beyond spoken words.
The cast’s incredible performance was only one factor in the equation of theatrical success. Though not the star of the show, the pit is undeniably a key component of any musical, and “The Little Mermaid” was no exception. Led by James Hein, the orchestra did justice to iconic numbers and soared through instrumental sections. And, though built to be seen and not heard, the props and sets further contributed to the wow-factor. Despite their landlocked constraints, the Theatre Department found ways to bring the sea to the stage. Towering ships, seashell thrones and stone lagoons vividly conjured a salty ocean breeze and the opulence of Triton’s underwater kingdom. To accommodate the sheer size and number of props in the show, the stage crew and directors constantly communicated to strategize positioning and prop assignments.
Spectating these behind-the-scenes efforts by peers to craft an immersive production of friendship, love, heartbreak, and magic makes it all the more easier to appreciate the consistently phenomenal performances gifted by the Theatre Department year after year. Working together as a well-oiled machine, the cast and crew of Ward Melville’s “The Little Mermaid” created an above-and-underwater world that audiences will be eager to leap or dive into however they see fit.
