Legacy to stage ‘Little Mermaid’ musical

Legacy Traditional School will present its annual theatrical production Feb. 24, a junior rendition of a Disney classic — “The Little Mermaid.”

Under the guidance of Legacy Musical Director Michelle Wagner, the 120-student cast will be wrapping up rehearsals this week in anticipation for their opening night performance.

This year’s musical, Wagner said, is special not only for its imaginative nature, but also because it showcases the many facets of the human spirit.

“This one has a lot of emotional contrast,” Wagner said.  “We have the evil side of it with Ursula, and then we have the joy and the love with Prince Eric and Ariel, there is just so much character change and costume change and color change that really makes it magical for the audience to be a part of.”

Now, in the final days of production, Wagner couldn’t be more excited to see all the hard work coming together.

“We actually start preparing through the summer, so as soon as school is done we start preparations with all the adults,” she said. “We start auditions the second week of school, in August. Then, we start rehearsals a week after that and we’ve been going ever since, nonstop.”

The school changes the production each year in an effort to keep things fresh for the students who have been involved in theater for so long.

“There’s a lot of students who have been a part of it since kindergarten, so we’ve never repeated a musical, to keep them inspired and excited about musical productions,” Wagner said.

Eighth grade student Taya Johnson has been acting in Legacy School plays for five years now, but this is her first performance as a lead character — Ariel. And, as she put it, it couldn’t have been a better role.

“I’ve been doing these plays since fourth grade, and this year I wanted to go for, you know, the person that’s on the shirt, the Disney princess,” Johnson said as she pointed at a classmates T-shirt bearing the mermaid’s likeness. “So, I’m so excited.”

Estraya Ellyson, also an eighth grade student, is playing the role of the antagonist — Ursula — and is equally excited about the role.

“Being Ursula has probably been the highlight of my life, “ Ellyson said. “She has probably been my favorite Disney villain since I was like 6.”

Ellyson expressed her appreciation for the hard working team of actors, actresses and crew members.

“I love my cast. They’re not just cast; they’re family. They are really just the best people I could ask for,” Ellyson said. “And the director and the stage crew, they’re just amazing.”

The first of three performances will be Friday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m., with two performances happening the following day Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. all in the Legacy Traditional School Auditorium.

Pre-purchased general admission tickets are $5 and can be bought through the school by calling 520-423-9999. General admission tickets purchased at the door will cost $7, while reserved seats in the front two rows will cost $10-20.