Burlington Education Summer Theater to Present 'The Little Mermaid, Jr.'

Area residents will soon have a chance to see live theater as part of an annual summer production. 

"The Burlington Educational Summer Theatre (BEST) proudly announces that it will celebrate five years of summer youth theatre when it presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. on July 27 at 2 and 7 pm in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center of Burlington High School," Vanessa Ovian, who handles publicity for BEST said in a release. 

Like, The Little Mermaid, The Little Mermaid, Jr. takes place in a magical kingdom fathoms below the surface of the ocean where the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.

Adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production, The Little Mermaid, Jr. features the hit songs "Part of Your World," "She’s in Love," and the Oscar-winning "Under the Sea."

According to the release, this year's production of Mermaid boasts a cast of 66 students in grades 4-8. Leading the cast as the young mermaid Ariel is Mia Campbell. She is joined by Patrick Creedon as Prince Eric, Jade Gordon as Ursula, Crystal Curran as King Triton, Julie Surabian as Flounder and Mikey Fazio as Sebastian.

Also featured in the cast are Clara Hevia as Scuttle, Mark Czerwinski as Chef Louis, Joe Viscione as Grimsby, Sam Wright as Pilot, Stephen Nigro as Flotsom, Scott Czerwinski as Jetsam, Lindsay Corbett as Carlotta and Samantha Murphy as Seahorse.

Rounding out the cast are mermaids, mersisters, sea creatures, gulls, tentacles, chefs, lagoon animals and princesses who are all dressed in multi-dimensional costumes befitting King Triton’s kingdom under the sea.

"BEST is a program like no other," Ovian writes. "A model for success, it was created by John Middleton-Cox, Coordinator of Music for Burlington Public Schools. Backed by the resources of the school department, it provides an opportunity and environment to cultivate interest in the theatre and performing arts."  

For three weeks BEST students are instructed by qualified professionals in their fields who coach the young performers as they learn lines, practice dance routines and transform them into a wonderful cast of kids who learn all that is involved in a full-sized production.

In addition to a staff numbering in double digits, Burlington Educational Summer Theatre also employs over 25 high school and college students with demonstrated skills in theatre arts to provide support and mentorship as crew, techs and counselors. Many are alumni of Burlington High School who have learned their specialty on the job during fall and spring productions.

While rehearsals for Mermaid take place, a series of one-week workshops are also offered for students who love to sing and dance but cannot commit to the entire three weeks. Directed by Erin Lane and Nanette Perrotte, each of the sessions ends in a performance on the big stage followed by a reception for performers and their families.

The BEST performances of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. will take place in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center, 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA. Reserved tickets are $10 for students and senior citizens, $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at www.BurlingtonTheatre.com or by phone at 781-A-FUN-TIC. Fogelberg Performing Arts Center is air-conditioned and handicapped accessible.