Downey High's 'The Little Mermaid' a hit at the Downey Theatre

The cast of the Downey High School production of “The Little Mermaid.” (Courtesy photo)

DOWNEY — Downey High School’s drama teacher, Chris Nelson, says he’s the most supported drama teacher in the country.

He may be right. Not every drama teacher gets to stage a full-length musical in the Downey Theatre every spring. He expresses special thanks to the Downey Unified School District Board of Education, Downey High School Principal Tom Houts, the assistant principals, and the Downey Theatre staff for their support of the program.

What an experience for the students. And Nelson does deliver.

Not everything you need in theatre can be ordered in a catalog, or in advance. Nelson tells the story of how Houts even came with him to purchase wood at Home Depot and used his own credit card.

In addition, Nelson thanks costumer Regina Chavez, choreographer/stage manager Kei’la Ryan, along with his longtime vocal director, Jeff McClure. And the elementary and middle school students from Doty, Sussman, Carpenter, Gallatin and Griffiths who round out the cast.

So he should. The production is spectacular. Nelson’s directing is sharp and creative. And the audience is having a ball.

In college there are two kinds of people in the drama departments. Those that are crazy about musicals theatre and known all the songs for every show. And the others, the outsiders. They don’t really know or care about musicals. They are focused on acting, and drama. Chris Nelson was an outsider. But setting off to get his MA he discovered he could do musicals. All he needed was a choreographer and a vocal director. Along the way he expanded his skills to include set and lighting design.

“The Little Mermaid” is better than the final recycled productions by the waning Downey Civic Light Opera which closed in 2013. With the exception of the McCoy Rigby production of “Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer” that is mounted for a week in the holidays before it heads out on tour, there has been no theatre in the Downey Theatre in more than a decade.

I had an opportunity to visit a few rehearsals in the Downey Theatre that were devoted to the choreography. You can’t do this scope of choreography in Downey High’s Little Theatre. Kei’la Ryan is a remarkable choreographer, especially with this particular musical that calls for specific movements. She keeps the cast of 37 moving. And as a stage manager there is no wasted time moving from scene to scene.

Regina Chavez’ costumes rival the best of LA’s intimate theatres. Bold, colorful, and eccentric enough for each character. Including the youngest actor, Diego Martinez.

These students are not professional singers. Some haven’t sung at all on stage. They wear wireless microphones that need to be calibrated. Vocal Director Jeff McClure seems to make the entire cast singers.

Nelson uses both of the side stages to great advantage. The Downey Theatre was built in 1970 with sin tax (tobacco and hotel room taxes) at no cost to residents. It was designed for the architects by John Hume, artistic director of the nationally recognized Downey Children’s Theatre and the Downey Civic Light Opera where he put hundreds of young people on stage. He included a fully-equipped theatre, a box office, a green room, dressing rooms, a rehearsal room, a basement for costume storage, a shop, and a loading dock. The city wanted 1,000 seats, Hume wanted 500. They settled on 746 current seats I think. Unfortunately, it’s a little too small for touring shows, and too big for intimate theatre. But Nelson makes it work for “The Little Mermaid”.

“The Little Mermaid” (2008) is a stage musical produced by Disney Theatrical based on the animated Disney film (1989) and the fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, originally published in 1837. It was conceived and produced by Thomas Schumacher, who I first met in the 1980’s when he was on staff at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum while I was serving as a project director. The book is by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Doug Wright with music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony ( EGOT) winner Alan Menkin. Lyrics are by Academy Award and Grammy winner Howard Ashman in collaboration with Grammy and Emmy winner Glenn Slater. It has been adapted by the impressive Music Theatre International (MTI) with songs in ranges for younger voices.

STORY

In a magical kingdom fathoms below the surface of the sea, the youngest of King Triton's daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. She longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above and falls for Prince Eric. She defies her father, King Triton, and makes a dangerous deal with her villainous aunt Ursula, the sea witch, trading her voice for legs.

With help from her friends, Ariel must convince Prince Eric that she's the girl with the enchanting voice without speaking, or lose her soul. Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.

CAST HIGHLIGHTS

Ariel: Celine June Bautista is a knockout as the strong-willed teenage mermaid with the beautiful voice who longs to be human.

Pilot/Chef Louis: John Ybarra is particularly great as the melodramatic Chef with a comic French accent and movements.

Prince Eric: RJ Escurel is charming with a warm voice and a flair for romance.

Grimsby: Moxxie Lahaie is distinctly prim and proper.

Flounder: Emily Muggleton is sincere and sensitive as Ariel’s best friend.

Scuttle: Faith Allen’s is a total joy as the off beat know it all, somewhat clumsy seagull.

Windward/Sea Creatures/Maids/Animals: Julian Orozco, Cassandra Hernandez

King Triton: Ulysses Ayala is the King of the Sea, he is the harried father of seven girls frustrated by their teenage angst.

Sebastain: Cadence Bramlett is another knockout as the uptight crab. Her Caribbean accent is hysterical accenting her jerky movements.

Aquata/Princess 6: Jaelyn Tejada, gives us her unique personality and sass.

Andrina/Princess 3/Chef/Gull: Giselle Bispango: gives us her own unique personality and sass.

Arista/Princess 1: Quiryat Caldron gives us her unique personality and sass.

Atina/Princess 4: Emily Alday gives us her unique personality and sass.

Adella/Princess 5: Danaysy Salazar gives us her unique personality and sass.

Allana/Princess 2: Charlize Leslie Barrera gives us her unique personality and sass.

Flotsam: Marina Marquez has devious charm as Ursula’s sinister lackey.

Jetsam: Jaylene Martinez is Ursula’s lackey, tricky and menacing.

Ursula: Sonia Navarro is a knockout. She cunning, calculating and manipulative. And can she sing!

Sailor/Gull/Chef: Darrien Aguirre

Sea Creatures/Maids/Animals: Daniella Beltran

Sailor/Gull/Chef: Naomi Calzadilla

Sailor/Gull/Chef: Francisco Castellon, Natalia Fabian, Michael Gallardo

Sea Creatures/Maids/Animals: Angelina Mejia

Sailor/Gull/Chef/Sea Creature/Maid/Gull: Sophia Morales

Sailor/Gull/Chef: Adrian Olvera

Sailor/Gull/Chef: Zachary Pepaj

Sea Creatures/Maids/Animals : Jacqueline Ponce

Sailor/Gull/Chef/Sea Creature/Maid/Animal: AlizaBella Torres

Sea Creature/Animal: Brittany Alavarado

Sea Creature/Animal: Everly Castellon

Sea Creature/Animal: Emily Diaz

Sea Creature/Animal: Alice Flores

Sea Creature/Animal: Leamsi Gallegos-Ceballos

Sea Creature/Animal: Kathie Helen Rodrigues

Sea Creature/Animal: Kathy Julie Rodrigues

Sea Creature/Animal: Diego Martinez

Sea Creature/Animal: Vanessa Navarro

Sea Creature/Animal: Gwendolyn Nelson

Sea Creature/Animal: Zoe Nelson

Sea Creature/Animal: Dominic Olvera

Sea Creature/Animal: Sara Roconcio

Sea Creature/Animal: Xander Valenzuela

Sea Creature/Animal: Megan Zainos

CREW

Assistant Stage Manager: Darlene R. David

Crew: Dalyla Acevedo Robles, Sienna Trejo, Sophia Serrato, Jocelyn Loera, Kathleen Lorenzo, Kaylee Rodriquez, Evieny Isidro-Barba, Allison Torres, John Barra

SONG HIGHLIGHTS

Act One:

The World Above: Celine June Bautista

Daddy's Little Angel: Sonia Navarro, Marina Marquez, Jaylene Martinez

Part of Your World: Celine June Bautista

Her Voice: RJ Escurel

Poor Unfortunate Souls: Sonia Navarro

Act One Finale: Sonia Navarro, Celine June Bautista

Act Two:

Positoovity: Faith Allen, Gulls

Positaggity: Faith Allen, Gulls

Les Poissons: John Ybarra

Kiss the Girl: Cadence Bramlett, Animals

If Only (Quartet): Celine June Bautista,

RJ Escurel, Ulysses Ayala, Cadence Bramlett

Ariel Steps Forward: Sonia Navarro

Finale Ultimo: Celine June Bautista, RJ Escurel, Ulysses Ayala, Ensemble