“The Little Mermaid” spent the weekend at Gettysburg High School. The 2024 musical production, Directed by Megan Coolbaugh and Kate Sainer, had a huge turnout with over 1,000 people attending across the two nights it showed.
The musical, adapted from the fairy tale by Denmark’s Hans Christian Andersen, follows a young mermaid who is willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul.
Although the entire cast brought sparks to the stage, there were particularly outstanding performances by Tessa Trax as Ariel and Brody Granger as Prince Eric.
Trax’s voice carried through the auditorium as if she were singing right next to you. Her ability to always appear in character and not as if she was playing a part displayed her unique talent for the theater.
Another favorite was Bryce Smyers as the Carribean Crustacean Sebastian. Perfectly cast, his accent rang true and his “Under the Sea” performance was show-stopping.
Another impressive performance was by Greyson Grimmer, who played the child Grimsby. Grimmer displayed a child-like lack of confidence, which made the performance that much more real and believable.
Smyers and Mercedes Tresise were the show’s Student Producers with Tresise in charge of choreography and tech, while Smyers handled the music.
“I cannot express how lucky I am to work with such talented actors and talented directors,” said Tresise as she thought ahead about next year’s show.
Ursula, played by Emma Kirk, was especially excited by the performance, saying “it’s always the biggest smile watching everyone shine on stage.”
The pit orchestra, directed by Krista Kriel, carried the show with a dazzling rendition of the score.
Student production managers Bryce Smyers and Mercedes Trisise and stage managers Lucy Page and Ariann Urcuyo kept the show moving smoothly.
Sound was by Michael Connelly and Angie Yingling designed the lighting.
Katie Hansen designed the sets which were constructed under the direction of David Snyder by Mr. Snyder’s building trades students. Programs and t-shirts were printed by Mr.Colgan’s Graphics students under the direction of Chad Deckert.
The tech crew was phenomenal in changing the sets and getting everyone where they needed to be. You couldn’t see them, but you could tell they were working hard.
Savannah Waligore, Gettysburg Connection Intern, has lived in Gettysburg for the last five years. She am a high school junior at GHS and is on Student Council, in the Photography Club, and a part of our school paper, the "Maroon and White."