The Fayette Area Community Theater will present this year’s summer youth musical, The Little Mermaid Jr., next weekend at Central Methodist University’s Little Theater.

The story features a young mermaid princess named Ariel who wants to leave her underwater kingdom behind for the human world, much to the chagrin of her cautious father, King Triton, who distrusts humans. Ariel saves the life of a human, Prince Eric, from a shipwreck and sings to him on shore before disappearing back into the sea. Eric hears her sing and begins to search his kingdom for her, enthralled by his mysterious rescuer. 

Desperate to be with her prince, Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, who will grant her human legs in exchange for Ariel’s voice. In order to stay human and be with Eric, Ariel must receive true love’s kiss in only three days’ time. In a race against the clock, Ariel and her sea creature friends, Sebastian the crab, Flounder the fish, and Scuttle the seagull, navigate the human world and try to help Eric realize that Ariel is the girl he’s been searching for.

This 38-member cast is comprised entirely of Howard County actors between the ages of 6-18. There are several familiar faces in this show as many are alumni of past community performances such as Newsies, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, and The Wizard of Oz, as well as Fayette High School musical stagings of Murder at Crimson House, Matilda, Beauty and the Beast, and Into the Woods.

Cindy Dudenhoffer is directing this year with help from Carrie Strodtman (assistant director), Brenna O’Neill (musical director), Bridget Hussey (choreographer), Aimee Sage (vocal coach), Breilly Roy (stage manager), and Abia Carlson (intern). The production is the first in 15 years for Dudenhoffer to direct. She said she is excited to be directing a show that debuts many young, new actors and actresses.

“We really wanted to do something that focused on the little people after Newsies last year was sort of an older cast,” Dudenhoffer said. “I’m really excited about the fact that it is so many people’s first show. And I really like this version because it has a very strong Ariel…It’s a little different than the story we’re used to, but it’s still familiar enough where people should enjoy it.” 

Ariel will be played by FHS incoming junior Amythyst Heberlein in her first lead role.

“I’m really excited about Amythyst being able to show her talent,” Dudenhoffer said. “This is her first big part, and she has the most beautiful voice and such good instincts. She’s doing a fabulous job.” 

Heberlein said she is nervous but is confident that she can perform the role. “I think all of my people around me are very supportive of it, too, so it just makes me feel less insecure,” she said.

Other leading cast members include FHS incoming senior Doug Burchett (Prince Eric), and FHS incoming senior Jillian Flaspohler (Ursula). Many performers play multiple roles, including some of the youngest actors and actresses who play two or even three parts.

When asked what she likes most about the musical, six-year-old Alice Dudenhoffer said she was most excited about watching her fellow cast members perform on stage.

A comprehensive cast list, along with details about individual performers and their past appearances, can be found on FACT’s Facebook page.

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, at CMU’s Little Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and $3 for children aged three years or younger and can be purchased at any Fayette bank.