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Director's Notes

Welcome to Notre Dame Prep’s production of The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid was first published as part of a collection of fairy tales for children In 1837 by Hans Christian Anderson. While our play tonight was written over 170 years later, the story is remarkably close to the original. Disney did find it necessary to make a few editions: for example,  unlike Anderson’s fairy tale, our story will have a happy ending. For fun, Disney also decided to throw in a few talking fish and a singing crustacean. Sounds like the ingredients for a fun night at the theater!

Mermaids are a truly ancient idea, with the first folklore stories appearing thousands of years before Hans Christian Anderson’s tale. Perhaps it was the need for a matriarch out on the dangerous and deadly high seas that inspired this aquatic goddess. Whatever the inspiration, the character has lasted in the minds of story tellers for millennia. Disney's full length animated film The Little Mermaid was released in 1989; 20 years later, the movie made its way to broadway where it enjoyed a successful run.

This will be our second foray into the wonderful world of Disney, our first having been our production of Beauty and the Beast in 2012. As with all Disney shows, it’s always challenging to bring such amazing animated worlds to life. I would like to thank some of the individuals who have helped us achieve this task: Heartfelt thanks out to our NDPMA Theater Program Director, Meredith Scott; to our producers, Jennifer Beaudoin and Jama Lintol, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this show possible; to Joe Martin and our pit orchestra; to Donna Piper for making our show dance and for her invaluable vision; to our student director, Elizabeth Housey and student crew manager, Margaret Allard; to Julie Bonema and the costume crew for making our kids look fantastic; to Jennifer Beaudoin, Michael Campion and the members of the set crew for their many weekends of hard work; to Jama Lintol and the house committee; to the Lake Orion auditorium manager, Drew Fry; to Linda and Frank Ruggirello for our beautiful programs; to Carol Spender for the cast party; and finally, all the parent volunteers who have helped in so many ways.

Lastly, thanks to you for coming out to support our students. Now sit back and join us on what I hope will be a fantastic journey… under the sea.

David Fazzini

Director