HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER? In the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid, Ariel, the mermaid princess, wants to break out of her everyday existence and explore new worlds. For a mermaid, she longs for the impossible: to feel the sunshine on her face and dry land beneath her feet. As with the popular Disney animated film version based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid portrays the powerful desire for young people to be in charge of their own destiny ― but still with the support and guidance from others who care.
Although The Little Mermaid takes place in a magical undersea world, the story is grounded in real-life feelings and desires. The Little Mermaid is a story about yearning: that feeling you get deep inside when you want something that’s just out of reach. In The Little Mermaid, Ariel breaks away from her community and her family to follow her dreams. Everyone in her life – from her family to her friends – expects her to conform to a certain behavior. However, Ariel has to follow her heart. Prince Eric has a similar problem: he is expected to “settle down” and accept the responsibilities of the throne, but all he wants is a life of adventure at sea.
Both Ariel and Prince Eric are outsiders, “fish out of water,” because their dreams go against their society’s norms. WELCOME TO THE LITTLE MERMAID! UP WHERE THEY WALK UP WHERE THEY RUN UP WHERE THEY STAY ALL DAY IN THE SUN WANDERIN’ FREE WISH I COULD BE PART OF THAT WORLD” – Ariel, “PART OF YOUR WORLD” Just as humanity is made up of diverse cultures and races, the sea holds thousands of creatures of every shape and size. I felt it was important that the watery kingdom of The Little Mermaid be a reflection of our world today. “Everyone yearns at some point in their life, to be something, to go somewhere, to discover something that’s not part of what they are.” Whether learning new things or meeting new people, students have many opportunities to challenge themselves every day. By watching Ariel fearlessly follow her dreams, young people may be inspired to pursue their own.
During this production, student's discussed and researched ocean conservation. Researcher's have discovered thet 80 percent of Ocean pollution is caused by human trash. Since oceans provide home to wide variety of marine animals and plants, it is the responsibility of every citizen to play his or her part in making these oceans clean so that marine species can thrive for long period of time. “People ask: Why should I care about the ocean? Because the ocean is the cornerstone of earth’s life support system, it shapes climate and weather. It holds most of life on earth. 97% of earth’s water is there. It’s the blue heart of the planet-we should take care of our heart. It’s what makes life possible for us. We still have a really good chance to make things better than they are. They won’t get better unless we take the action and inspire others to do the same thing. No one is without power. Everybody has the capacity to do something.” – Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist
I am extremely proud of this production, a truley successful production involves so much more than what is presented on stage. I am especially proud of the level of committment, mutual respect, cooperation, and teamwork that has been demonstrated by everyone involved in this production. I would like to extend my gratitude to Meg Elder, Dirk Belling, Vicki Sungren, and Nathaniel Brown, the community, Anaheim City School district, AUHSD staff and administration, the Anaheim Alumni Association, and the parents who entrusted us with their treasures.
To my seniors: It's always bitter sweet watching your final musical performance. I am so proud of the leaders and performers you have become over the last 3- 4 years with us. Watching you grow has been a joy and an honor. It will be hard to see you go, but you will step into a sea of possibilities. "Somehow in the blink of an eye, when my back was turned, you grew up." It is time for you to "...be eager to sieze your future." " If only you could stay and never say goodbye, if only I could make time stop, believe me, I would try..." but as Triton reminds parents and teachers "...and if you truly love them you must let them go....Now you can walk, now you can run, Now at last your stories begun, but we hope we can always be... part of you world. Be our shining acheivement-a bright light in a dark world. We will miss you, with love-Mrs. King
