In Focus: Bemidji Community Theater Presenting ‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’

Bemidji Community Theater is now showing their latest production, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” That “Jr.” part is what makes this rendition of Princess Ariel’s tale different, as the cast is all 18 year old or young.

The show is filled with iconic songs and characters that young actors and actresses always imagine themselves playing.

“It’s really a dream. It’s a dream to be playing a princess,” said Sophia, who plays Ariel. “I think that’s every little girl’s dream, so I love it, I really do.”

“I was just so happy about it,” said Macy, who portrays Ursula. “I was actually hanging out with my older brother and he was hoping I got this role, too, and we both just kind of screamed and had so much fun.”

The experience can be a bit nerve-racking for some of the performers.

“At first I was very excited, then after a few minutes, the stress kicked in of like, ‘Oh no, I have to sing these iconic Disney songs!'” admitted Noah, who was cast as Sebastian.

But there are ways to help ease that anxiety. When you have a stage as detailed as the one this cast is working with, you really feel like you’re a part of the Little Mermaid’s world. Some of the actresses even lent a hand in the stage design process by painting some creatures of the sea.

“This stage is wonderful. Every single year they outdo themselves, I don’t know how they do it,” said Sophia. “It all fits together perfectly and it’s so, just, artistic and creative, and I love that aspect of community theater.”

Working with a cast full of children can have its challenges.

“It can be a little chaotic at times, I can’t lie, but it’s a good experience to be able to watch younger generations of theater kids grow up, and you see them enjoy theater the way I did when I was their age,” added Sophia. “It means a lot.”

“Sometimes it would be interesting to talk to adults and kind of get a view on their life, but here you can just relate to every single person because they’re mostly around your age,” said Macy.

But some would even say working with children is pretty similar to working with adults.

“It’s really not all that different because adults often in theater are very childlike, right?” said Hannah Fletcher, “The Little Mermaid Jr.” Stage Manager. “It’s a very imaginative space, very fun space. There’s so creative and sometimes adults kind of get stuck into their ways, but kids don’t do that. Kids are just full of energy and excitement and fun.”

“The Little Mermaid Jr.” will be shown this weekend and the next, through April 13th. Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. More information can be found at the Bemidji Community Theater website.