March 31, 2008                                                                                                                                                   Associate Director of Marketing

                                                                                                                                                                               Phone: 253.573.2360

                                                                                                                                                                               Email: laceyl@broadwaycenter.org

Missoula Children’s Theatre

Makes Waves with 59 Local Students

Starring in The Little Mermaid This Saturday

Tacoma, WA – Audiences of all ages will get a fresh look at an age-old favorite this Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm at Theatre on the Square when the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) and 59 local students present The Little Mermaid.  The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency in Tacoma is presented by Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. 

The local cast features Tori Dunlap as The Little Mermaid, Celia.  Also featured are her three sisters, Delia, Amelia and Ophelia who will be played by Shayna Brown, Mia McCulley and Katelyn Hoffman.  Gil, the Merboy next door will be played by Alex Gallo.

The Royal family includes Ryan Martin as the Prince, Jonathan Hogue as the King and Heather Frost as the Queen. The snoopy Seasiders will be played by Ann Elkins, Taya Glaude, Bridget Gray, Lauren Gossett, Sarah Jaasko-Fisher, Madison Mccann, Taylor Meek, Sam Mortensen, Kelty Pierce, Ali Raetz, Kaleb Wilkerson and Mason Wilkerson, Nathan Wilson.

To complete the ensemble, Sara Boyle, Spencer Kiekenapp, Ayla Ladolf, Abby Stratton, Jordan Williams and Sophie Winnett will appear as the poetic Town Criers, the dynamic Scouts include Mallory Barton, Kalex Gerstman, Kelsey Harrison, Melanie Loud, Kelsey Mauk, Katie McClure, Megan Mortensen, Tori Osteraa, Kjersten Robinson, Zoe Vigna, Andrew Wilson, Lindsey Wood and the galloping Seahorses will be played by John Armstrong, Giovanai Baglio, Cody Golynn, Edemn Mortensen, Halle Movivs, Abagal Nelson, Anika Nordin, Janae Paige, Bianca Ponnekanti, Kainoa Price, Sarah Randall, Cole Rurbert, Tasha Simpsom, Allie Smith, Maggie Smith and Evan Wilson.  Mrs. Merman/Mr. Merman and Starfish will be played by MCT Tour Actor and Director J.D. Henriksen and Jacob Rorem.  Dara, Kevin Tang, Torin Tinnin, Courtney Valencia will serve as Assistant Directors throughout the week.

Writer Jim Caron’s Little Mermaid is set deep in the salty waters of the Sassafras Sea where Celia the mermaid lives. Celia and her three sisters are allowed one visit to the World Above to learn its secrets, but only on their sixteenth birthday. Their discoveries included ferocious dragons, advancing armies and, of course, a handsome and resourceful Prince Charming. This new version of the age-old tale has unique music, plot surprises and humor in a huge underwater adventure!

Tickets to The Little Mermaid performance are on sale now and are $16. Tickets may be purchased at the Broadway Center Box Office located on 9th & Broadway or by calling the Box Office at 253.591.5894. To purchase online at any time or for information about upcoming events visit www.broadwaycenter.org.

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the following for support of the 2007-2008 Season: ArtsFund, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Boeing Company, City of Tacoma, Forest Foundation, The News Tribune, Pierce County Arts Commission, Sequoia Foundation Pierce County Program, and Washington State Arts Commission.

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