Under the Sea: Redhound Theatre presenting Little Mermaid as spring production

Libby Phipps in the role of Ariel.

Are you ready to experience the magic of the classic Disney tale, the Little Mermaid, live? If so, then you are in luck, as the Redhound Theatre group is presenting the chance to do just that with a series of shows at Corbin High School over the next two weeks.

“This is going to be a spectacle,” said Jonah Humfleet, who is playing the part of Scuttle the seagull. “It is going to be magical. We have so many large set pieces, projections, and new lighting. Set-wise and tech-wise, this is going to be a real showpiece.”

Drama fans will remember Humfleet’s unforgettable performance as Olaf the snowman in the Redhound Theatre’s production of Disney’s Frozen last spring. Another very memorable performance from that show came from Libby Phipps, who played Princess Anna.

“It is really cool to get to come full circle and play the characters that I watched as a kid,” said Phipps, who has been cast in the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming Little Mermaid production. “This is kind of similar to how I felt when playing Anna. I have watched this movie growing up, and I just feel really blessed to have this opportunity.”

Phipps said that she is especially excited to see all of the young fans in the audience over the next two weeks. “I hope that they will come and watch, and think, ‘I want to do that,’” she said. “I want to help inspire younger kids to get into theater and the arts, because we always need new people.”

Playing opposite of Phipps will be Bailyn Scent, who for the first time is finding herself in the role of the main villain as the evil sea witch, Ursula.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Scent. “It has been a lot to get used to, and has been a very eye-opening experience. At first, I was told that I was ‘too sweet’ for this role. I had to work hard on getting that evil personality down in order to take on the character.”

Andrew Collins will be playing the role of Prince Eric, who is the main love interest of Phipps’ Ariel. When asked about the preparations for the Little Mermaid, he said, “We had auditions just before Christmas break, and we started rehearsals as soon as we got back. We started working on the music, adding projections, the costumes, tech, and things like that. We have all worked very hard since the start of the year on this show, and now we’re finally getting to see the payoff.”

Kenton Lowe, who is playing the role of Ariel’s fish friend, Flounder, also spoke to all of the effort that has gone into presenting this play, saying, “This is one of the most wonderful productions that I have been in. There have been so many that we have put on, but this one really is one of the best. This group has worked so hard.”

Theater-goers who attended last year’s production of Frozen, or this past winter’s production of White Christmas, know that the Redhound Theatre group loves to wow crowds with impressive song and dance routines. Joshua Edwards, who is playing the role of Sebastian the crab in the Little Mermaid, said that fans can expect more of the same with this play.

“There will be some really cool dance numbers and ensemble work,” said Edwards. “I’m really excited for that. We started choregraphing in February, and have been working very hard since then. The choreography and the songs are my favorite part of the play.”

The Redhound Theatre is scheduled to present the Little Mermaid this Friday and Saturday, April 7-8, at 7 p.m. at Corbin High School. There will also be an afternoon show on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m.

If you are unable to make it to CHS this weekend, the play is also scheduled for next Friday and Saturday, April 14-15, with show times being the same.

Tickets will be $10 at the door for adults, and $8 for students. Young attendees are encouraged to hang around after the show, as special photo ops with the cast will be offered on stage.