ASU Summer Children's Theatre announces cast list for opening show of season, ‘The Little Mermaid’

June 4, 2009 -- The Arkansas State University Theatre will open the 2009 ASU Summer Children’s Theatre season with “The Little Mermaid” by Sandra Fenichel Asher, adapted from the story by Hans Christian Anderson. This classic story, about a young mermaid who is willing to give up everything to gain the love of a human prince, comes alive with the help of the audience. Audiences are invited to join the beautiful mermaid, the sea witch, and the handsome prince in an underwater adventure. All performances will be held at Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro. Performance dates are Wednesday, June 24, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and Friday, June 26, at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.  This production of “The Little Mermaid” is sponsored by the ASU Theatre Guild, a community support group of the ASU Theatre program.



Under the stage direction of Molly Simpson, professor of Theatre, the cast for the season opening production includes Kayla Duvall, a sophomore theatre major from Hot Springs, as the Sea Witch; Lauren Emerson, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro, as Daphne; Cesiley Sullivan, a sophomore theatre major from Cabot; as the Little Mermaid; Matt Morgan from Jonesboro as Pearl; James Kaut, a junior theatre major from Jonesboro, as Shelley; Michael Trevino, a sophomore theatre major from Jonesboro, as the Prince; and Ashlea Armstrong, a sophomore theatre major from Searcy, as the Princess.

The production design team includes scenic design and technical direction by Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of Theatre, costume design by Alex Poynor, a senior theatre major from Jonesboro and lighting design by Bob Simpson, professor of Theatre. Morgan Henard, a senior theatre major from Brinkley, will serve as stage manager.

All seating is reserved, and tickets for reserved seating may be purchased in advance at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center or by calling 972-ASU1. Tickets are also available online at http://www2.astate.edu/tickets/--click the ticket icon or the tickets tab in the menu bar.  Reserved seating tickets (if available) may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance. Ticket prices for ASU Theatre’s 2009 Summer Children’s Theatre performances are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

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