PERFORMANCES | Provided by Kathleen Kaiser

August is “Under the Sea” month at the Ojai Art Center

Experience Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR on stage and sea/beach themed artwork in the Gallery

(Ojai, CA — July 30, 2018) When Disney’s The Little Mermaid, JR opens at the Ojai Art Center Theater this Friday, it will be just one part of the Art Center that is presenting an aquatic-themed August. The Art Gallery will display works inspired by the ocean and beach. Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR., adapted from Disney’s Broadway production and the motion picture (featuring the enormously popular Academy Award-winning music and delightfully charming book and lyrics). Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR.is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.

“We are very proud of the first ever Youth Branch production of a summer show,” said award-winning theater educator Gai Jones, who directs the show. “This tuition free acting opportunity gave us a cast of 25 children ages 6-15, many whom have never been on stage before. Another goal of the program was to provide opportunities for older students who are interested in offstage supporting roles, lights, assistant directing, costume, music and dance. We are thrilled to mention that the majority of the staff is comprised of high school or college students who have performed on the Art Center Theater in the past.”

With so many cast members, some parts will be shared by the talented youngsters. The first listed actor will perform the first weekend and the second actor the last weekend. There is a preshow with the youngest actors, Rachel Flanzer, Ruah Barkan, Charley Balderas, Luna Barkan, Daryan Barati 5 and 6-year-olds doing a dance to “Under the Sea” before the show begins.

The cast is:

  • Pilot of Ship → Charley Balderas
  • Sailors → Arshan Barati, Amber Hodge, Charley Balderas, Kyra Maal-King, Airadonya Colohan, Luna Barkan
  • Prince Eric → Liza Rosales Arshan Barati **
  • Grimsby → Brooke Green
  • Sea Creatures → Amber Hodge, Brooke Green, Kyra Maal-King, Harmony Wright, Charley Balderas, Arshan Barati, Luna Barkan, Airadonya Colohan, Taryn Lakes, Daryan Barati, Tristan Rauch, Ruah Barkan, Rachel Flanzer
  • Seahorse → Rachel Flanzer, Daryan Barati
  • Queen Triton → Ava Everett, Harmony Wright **
  • Sebastian → Rebeca Rosales
  • Mersisters → Luna Barkan, Airadonya Colohan, Brooke Green, Amber Hodge, Kyra Maal-King, Harmony Wright
  • Ariel → Natalie Baggs, Kyra Maal-King **
  • Flounder → Gianna Fusco-Foster, Elise Charles **
  • Scuttle → Maeve Hutton
  • Gulls → Rachel Flanzer, Ruah Barkan, Daryan Barati
  • Ursula → Amanda Linecker , Amber Hodge **
  • Flotsam → Maple Umscheid
  • Jetsam → Isla Thompson
  • Carlotta → Taryn Lakes, Chloe Charles **
  • Chef Louis → Tristan Rauch
  • Chefs → Arshan Barati, Charley Balderas, Harmony Wright, Airadonya Colohan, Kyra Maal-King, Amber Hodge, Daryan Barati, Taryn as Carotta
  • Princesses → Luna Barkan, Airadonya Colohan, Amber Hodge, Kyra Maal-King, Harmony Wright

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, JR plays for two weekends opening on August 3, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets available online at www.ojaiact.tix.com or at the door.
Ojai Art Center Theater
113 S. Montgomery Street
Ojai, CA 93023

General Admission tickets are $15
Youth 15 and under at $10
Tickets are available online at www.OjaiACT.tix.org or at the door