Merpeople in waiting

Performances on Saturday

MOSES LAKE - This is not your daughter's "Little Mermaid."

Literally - the play going on this weekend at Big Bend Community College's Wallenstien Theater has nothing to do with the Walt Disney 1989 film.

None of the characters are the same, said J.D. Henriksen, of the Missoula Children's Theater, the company putting the play on in Moses Lake by utilizing the talents of local youth performers.

"It's loosely based on the original Hans Christian Anderson version," he said. "Missoula Children's Theater has taken their own spin on that, making it a lot more of a children's show."

Auditions were held Monday afternoon at the community college's 1400 building, as hopeful mermaids and handsome princes gathered to try out.

"It's very simple," Henriksen said. "We're looking for loud, clear voices, big expressive bodies and the ability to listen and follow direction. It's very clear-cut. We point that out to them even before they start."

From there, rehearsals continue on each weeknight and Saturday morning.

Two performances are set for Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Henriksen joined the group out of Minneapolis in June. This is his first time in Moses Lake, and only his second week in Washington, he said.

"It's a fun, light-hearted show," he said. "It's amazing just to know the kids have only done it in five days, to come see how far, from age 5 to 15, they all get pushed in their own way and what they think their limits are, they exceed that in five days and it's a great thing to see."

Deianeira Caudle performed in the last theater production of "The Jungle Book."

"I've always wanted to act, I just love acting - making things bigger than they really are," Caudle said.

"It's probably the last time I'm going to be trying out this year, because I have soccer, and 'The Little Mermaid' is one of my favorite plays," explained Hannah Hobson, a sixth-grader at Moses Lake Christian Academy. "I'm kind of interested in acting, but I like soccer better. I'm hoping I can do my best and get a part in the play."

"I love acting," said Sarah Hobson, a fourth-grader at the academy. "It's kind of the joy of my week."

The Hobsons have participated in previous Missoula Children's Theater productions.

"You get to meet new people and the directors are really fun, they're open to your questions," Hannah said.

"It's just a really nice way, because I just love to get on stage," Hobson said.

New Columbia Basin Allied Arts Director Randy Johnstad knew his organization had been hosting the Missoula theater group for years, and had heard of it in other locations, but said he has never seen the process.

"I'm still kind of in the 'prove it to me' stage," he said with a grin. "Five days and they're going to do two shows, that's exciting. It's amazing, these kids have done it before and they're back for more. That shows how cool this thing is."

The production gets a huge reaction from the community.

"The parents love it," Johnstad said. "This year, because we're doing it twice, we've kind of had to rearrange how we normally do it, and a lot of parents are going, 'Not in February?' Parents are having to rearrange their schedule a little bit for this year, but we're going to do it twice."

Johnstad said the spring production is "Wiz of the West."

Cost to attend "The Little Mermaid" is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

For more information, call Johnstad at 509-793-2059.