Hillsboro students to present ‘Little Mermaid’
Staff writer
Hillsboro High School’s winter musical this year will feature Disney’s “Little Mermaid.”
Dillon Boldt, choral director for Hillsboro Middle / High School, said the winter play had been going on for almost 45 years.
The three performances are from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. with 15-minute intermissions Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Saturday performance is sold out, and there are only a handful of tickets left for Friday. Lots of tickets are available for Thursday. The auditorium seats 320 people.
Boldt was not involved in last year’s winter play.
“It’s my first year as director,” he said. “I am just following the tradition of Lynn Just.”
She directed the play for 35 years.
What will enhance the play are brand new seats and lighting for the auditorium.
Boldt is pleasantly surprised to have 45 cast members and 10 other students working in other areas to help make the play a great success.
Selecting “Little Mermaid” as their play, he said, was easy because it’s a family classic almost everyone knows.
“It fits our students very well,” he said. “It fits a lot of roles. It is such a good family play with a lot of heart.”
The play portrays Ariel, a mermaid who is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father’s orders to stay away from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and in a raging storm rescues the prince of her dreams.
Determined to be human, she strikes a deal with the devious sea witch Ursula and trades her fins and beautiful voice for legs.
Ariel will be played by Gracelynn Just. The role of Prince Eric will be performed by Braxton Heibert Ursula, the sea witch, is being played by Piper Heibert.
Auditions for the play were in early August, and with so many students, it was very competitive, Boldt said.
Almost every high school club has a member participating in the play.
“I just hope the audience sees the excitement and talent of the students,” he said. “It’s a great play for the kids and adults.”