Musical was meant to be a way to learn

MERMAID, from Page 22

Hailey Beaver, the lOth-grader who portrayed Ariel, said being able to fly was her favorite part of the live performances. It was a technique that stuck out to audiences.

“Ariel, Prince Eric and Sebastian all flew, or rather, swam to enhance the atmosphere of life under water. Scuttle also took off in the air,” said The Daily Item reviewer Anna Wiest. “This effect was just one more aspect that left kids watching in awe.”

For Leah Kloostra, the senior who played Ariel’s seagull friend Scuttle, being able to see the audience react to things the cast and crew had worked hard on — like particular lines rehearsed countless times — were her favorite parts of the live performances.

“When Scuttle is first introduced, he is trying to make a trade with Ariel: her Dinglehopper (a fork) for his Snarfblatt (a pipe). When he says that it is an instrument, and Flounder asks if it makes music, he says ‘Sure thing, kid, why I ain’t just blowin’ smoke,”’ Kloostra said. “I worked hard on that particular line and hearing the audience laugh filled me with joy.”