Students have auditioned and are eagerly awaiting the results for the next Edison Intermediate School (EIS) musical! This spring, students will put on The Little Mermaid for the audience!
Eighth grader Annabelle Doherty explained, “I auditioned for the musical because I like to sing and dance, and I get to hang out with my friends.”
“It’s a very fun show; the music is fun, the story is fun,” Orchestra teacher and Prop Crew Manager Mrs. Amanda Gant said.
This musical is based on an Oscar-winning movie that tells the story of a young mermaid who desperately wants to live in the human world. The original 1989 animated movie grossed around $220 million worldwide. This is the second time EIS has performed The Little Mermaid. “We did this musical 12 years ago,” Mrs. Gant explained.
“When we pick musicals, we look for one with a good educational experience, and one that’s fun,” Director and Drama teacher Mr. Michael Altmann shared.
This musical is an exciting story that will be performed with lots of special effects. “We used heelys to make the mermaids seem like they were gliding across the stage,” Mrs. Gant said.
Heelys are shoes with wheels on the back, like roller skating. These shoes are just one of the many effects used in the previous production of The Little Mermaid, and there will definitely be new and exciting special effects in this production of The Little Mermaid.
“I love doing shows, and I thought it would be a fun experience to act in a school play,” sixth grader Penelope Isgro said.
The fall drama is definitely a fun show, but for many, the spring musical is more exciting because there is not only acting involved, but dancing and singing as well. “Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have found that during the musical performances, the heart rate of choral singers starts to synchronize, which has a calming effect on the mind and body” (Vita Rama).
“I like dancing the most, because it’s the most fun,” seventh grader Nola Chanley shared. “I feel the most confident when I’m dancing on stage.”
“Performing before an audience can be daunting. But it boosts confidence and gives children a sense of accomplishment. This newfound self-assurance often spills over into other areas of their lives” (Booksicals). Eighth grader Ella Wint, who was Donkey in the spring musical last year said, “It is a really cool experience having all of the audience faces look at you. I also love that I used to be a little kid watching actors, and now I get to be the one that the kids are watching being inspirational.”
Students who are not in the musical are still thrilled for the show. Seventh grade student Aria Barbieri said, “I plan on watching the musical because all my friends are in it.”
Whether it’s the talented cast and crew, the exciting music and story, or the special effects, there’s definitely a valid reason for you to go and watch the spring musical, The Little Mermaid !
