The Southwestern College Summer Theatre Festival will present Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” Friday through Sunday, July 11-13, in the Richardson Performing Arts Center in the Christy Administration Building on the campus of Southwestern College.  The show will be performed as an optional dinner theatre, and ticket options for show only or shows with dinner are available.

“The Little Mermaid” features the character Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter.  She has always longed to be a part of the human world, so when the evil sea witch, Ursula, grants her the opportunity to sprout legs and go after the heart of Prince Eric, she jumps at the chance.  But with Ursula working against her she’ll need help from her friends and family if she is ever to see her dreams come true.  

“This is the story that everyone remembers,” says director Allyson Moon. “It has songs that are very familiar, including ‘Part of Your World’ sung by Ariel,  and ‘Under the Sea’ sung by Sabastian. These songs were made famous during the animated movie. We can all sing along with these.”

According to Moon, the show will include a cast of over 50 people spanning a wide range of ages but concentrated on youth actors.

“We have some very talented youth performing in this production,” Moon says. 

The cast includes: Ariel, played by Payten Humphreys, Winfield; Flounder, played by Bella Wood, Arkansas City; Scuttle, played by Lilya Woodburn, Winfield; King Triton, played by Dylan Moore, Ottawa; Sebastian, played by Nate Lee, Winfield; Seahorse, played by Alex Geurin, Winfield; Ursula, played by Deborah Badley, Winfield; Flotsam, played by Shane Schrag, Arkansas City; Jetsam, played by Shelby Guffey, Winfield; Princess, played by Ondreya Seahorn, Winfield; Eric, played by Clayton Bauer, Winfield; Grimsby, played by Tyler Demaree, Winfield; Pilot, played by Austin Sherman, Winfield; Max, played by John Moberly, Winfield; Carlotta, played by Adrianna Somerville, Winfield; and Louis, played by Aron Pfingsten, Ulysses.

Cast members playing the part of Ariel’s sisters include: Zoe Rea, Salina; Emma Green, Arkansas City; and Kylee Wollard, Elena Woodburn, Madison Long, Kira Loeb, Sabrina Wilson, Faith Moore, and Katya Crow, Winfield.

Cast members playing the part of sailors include: Dakota Holland, Aaron Glover, Bennett Boyle, Jacob Marney and Austin Sherman, Winfield; William Wade, Bartlesville, Okla.; and Cory Blevins, Arkansas City.  

Cast members playing the parts of merfolk, sea creatures, lagoon animals, chef assistants, and Prince Eric’s court include: Whitney Martin, Mercedes Dunbar, Adrianna Somerville, Ondreya Seahorn, Kylee Wollard, Jacob Marney, Austin Sherman, Cory Blevins, Aaron Glover, Dakota Holland, Bennett Boyle, Klara Flom, Marley Hoskins, Katya Crow, Elana Crow, Fiona Badley, Coryn Badley, Katrina Holland, Faith Moore, Ruby Woodburn, Elena Woodburn, Riley White, Coralee Moon, Abbey Denly, Hannah Stevens, Sabrina Wilson, Mia Peirce, Bryce Sexson, Luke Smith, Elias Moon, Carson McDade, Kayelyn Lattimore, and John Moberly, Winfield; Josie Krout, Megan Haynes, Mackenzie Vickery, Katelynn Vickery, Emmerson Allen, Price Allen, and Jasa Lightsey, Arkansas City; Zoe Rea, Salina; William Wade, Bartlesville, Okla.; and Dante Moon, Gallup, N.M.

Dinner times for the shows on July 11 and 12 will be at 6 p.m., with the show at 7:30 p.m.  Dinner on July 13 will be at 12:30 p.m., with the show at 2 p.m. Meals will be served in the Java Jinx in the Roy L. Smith Student Center. Tickets for dinner and show are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, $20 for students, and $18 for youth. Show-only tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth. 

For tickets and information, call the SC box office at (620) 221-7720 or (620) 229-6171.