Interview with PHUHS’s “Little Mermaids”

Read lead actresses, Addyson Reese (‘24) and Christy Do’s (‘22), inside scoop about preparing for a performance.

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With PHUHS’s production of The Little Mermaid in the making, many are eager to hear more about the show and what it’s like to be ‘part of their world.’ 

Addyson Reese (‘24): 

1) What is your favorite thing about being part of the drama program at PHUHS? 

“I love all the incredible friends I’ve made through our drama program, and that we all get to be part of shows and go on awesome trips together! I have so many amazing memories from being part of the drama club, and there’s nothing like being backstage with your closest friends when the curtain opens for a show.”

2) Is this your first production that you have participated in? 

“This is my third production that I’ve been part of at PHU! I was also in Bright Star last year and Almost, Maine this past semester.”

3) What is it like to prepare for this production? What does the preparation entail? 

“Rehearsals for this show are so fun and are already in full swing! We stay after school every day to learn music, block scenes, and choreograph the big dance numbers, and rehearsals will start getting longer as we get closer to opening night. The hard work that has already been put into this production is incredible, and I hope that everyone at PHU is as excited for this show as the cast and crew are!”

4) What are you most excited for in this experience?

“I’m beyond excited to be in a Disney show! The Little Mermaid was one of my favorite movies as a little kid, and it’s still one of my favorite shows today. There’s something so magical about being part of a Disney production and seeing the music and the characters that we grew up with onstage, and I cannot wait for people to see our cast bring it to life! Multiple roles have been double cast in our show, where two actors are casted and they each get to perform a show as their character. I have the privilege of being double casted as Ariel with the amazing Christy Do, who I was also double cast alongside this past summer in a production of Into the Woods! I cannot wait to bounce off of each other’s ideas and learn from the different choices we’ll make with each of our Ariels.”

5) Do you identify with your character, Ariel, if so, in what ways? 

“I feel like I can identify with Ariel because of her curiosity and her stubbornness. I can’t relate to her in every aspect of course, I unfortunately am not a mermaid, but I really admire that she knows what she wants, and she goes after it with passion and optimism.”

6) How do you think this production relates to high schoolers in general?

“This production relates to people our age because we all grew up with this story and loved it so much as kids, so revisiting it as high schoolers can help us realize how much we’ve grown since we were first introduced to all the characters, and the new ways that we’re able to relate to them now.”

Addyson Reese (’24) rehearsing her role as Ariel in the theatre.

Christy Do (‘22): 

1) What is your favorite thing about being part of the drama program at PHUHS? 

“All of the wonderful and extremely talented students I get to perform with! I have made so many friends here thanks to the drama program!”

2) Is this your first production that you have participated in? 

“This is not my first production; it’s my third! My first was Mary Poppins my freshman year!”

3) What is it like to prepare for this production? What does the preparation entail? 

“Obviously learning all the lines, music, and choreography, but something else that we need to prep for the show is using heelys! All the mermaids and some fish have to learn to skate around the stage in mermaid dresses on heelys. The costumes are also a beast for this show; there’s a lot of technical elements in certain costumes (like Ursula for example, when she flips up her tentacles) and bright colors to utilize!”

4) What are you most excited for in this experience?

“I’m so excited to perform since this is my biggest dream role! I’ve been dreaming of being able to play this character ever since the day I first watched the movie as a little girl. I’m also very excited to be a representation for minorities!”

5) Do you identify with your character, Ariel, if so, in what ways? 

“1000%. She longs for something more, and to go where she wants to go just like how I wish for more and wish to go other places. On top of the longing, we both also feel like fish out of water; it’s been hard finding a place where I feel like I belong, so I relate to her feeling out of place in her ocean home. And we both LOVE to sing!”

6) How do you think this production relates to high schoolers in general?

“I think it’s just a nice little bit of nostalgia for everyone. After two years (and counting) of the pandemic, people are just sort of tired and numb; this show will be something nice to relax to and be able to enjoy with family and friends. Sort of a throwback to their childhoods before everything went bad.”

Christy Do (’22) rehearsing her role as Ariel in the theatre.

Go see The Little Mermaid April 13-16, and follow @phutroupe5590 on Instagram for more updates about the show!