By Katelyn Dotson
The Renner Theater, Home of Zane Trace Players, put on their third production of the 2024 season, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which was directed by Shelley Tolliver and Jessica Cunningham. The cast is made up of both children and adults alike, and the musical is enjoyable for all ages. The entire theater is used to make audience members feel as if they are part of the show, making the play an exciting experience, and engaging visitors.
“I really wanted the first show that I helped with directing to bring the audience into the show and immerse them in the experience,” Jessica Cunningham said. Moments of humor were sprinkled throughout the well-known story, adding a fun element to the play. Music was by Alan Menken, and Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater wrote the lyrics, and the book was by Doug Wright.
The adult version of the musical was performed instead of the junior version in order to allow a wider age range of people to be part of the cast. “I really loved the idea of doing not the junior version, but the adult version. I wanted to work with some of the veterans in theater, I thought they had a lot to bring to the table.” Cunningham stated.
Mermaid.
Allie Norman and Reese Kornokovich acted as Ariel, Prince Eric was played by Aiden Cutlip, Carson Rose played Flounder, Adam Brenner acted as Pilot, Ursula was played by Tahnee Kay and Trinity Milliken, Tentacle 1 was portrayed by Aubrey Thompson, Tentacle 2 was played by Kinley Pulley, Tentacle 3 by Kendall Ross, Kinley Ross acted as Tentacle 4, Ashton Skoutelas acted as Jetsam, Judah Richter played Flotsam, Scuttle was played by Thomas Hoover and Hope Scott, Andie Schmitt acted as Sebastian, Madysen Grimm played Seahorse Leeward, Seahorse Windward was played by Amelia Nicholopoulos, Lee Hoover, Hayden Weck, and Kelsee Gill acted as Chef Louis, Leslie Every played Arabella, Head of Housekeeping, Allana was played by Kate Hoover, Ellesyn GIbson acted as Arista, Coco Johnson played Andrina, Adella was portrayed by Avie Mosebrook, Madison Scott and Dyna Watiker had the role of Atina, Nate Kearns played Grimsby, Sailor was played by Jackson Mount and James Every, Ron Kelso acted as King Triton, Carlotta, Chief of Staff, was played by Jessica Jewell, Nora Kay, Makenzie Touvell, Haidyn Touvell, Cora Kim, Preslee Davis, Kiernan Blair, and Kendie Gibson played Sea Critter, Froggie was played by Waverly, and Sofia Starcher acted as Angel Fish.
Those who helped make the play possible were the Musical Director, Kevin Rahrig, Musical and Vocal Assistance, Kari Scott, Music Assistance, Shannon Eubanks, Producer Addy Weck, Lighting Design, Bruce Revennaugh and Shelley Tolliver, Underwater Lighting, Bruce Revennaugh, Spot Light Operator, Lennon Bragg, Light Operator, Bruce Revennaugh and Jeff Howard, Sound Designer, Bruce Revennaugh, Stage Manager, Addy Weck, Stagehands, Gabby, Don, Adam Brenner, and Cast.
The costumes were beautifully designed and had outstanding detail. Jeanine Busey and Glenda Scott did the mermaid gown embellishments, Jan Kiikka the alterations and accessorizing, as well as Flounder’s costume, Jean Graap made the mermaid fin/capes, Trinity Miliken her Ursula ensemble, Tahnee Kay did the Ursula ensemble, mermaid design, and clown fish, Jessica Cunningham the jellyfish, manta ray, angler fish, Flounder and seagull accessories, Lee Hoover designed his chef ensemble, Samantha Mount the turtle ensemble, Addy and Hayden Weck designed the puffer fish, Shelley Tolliver did the seahorse accessories, and the mermaids designed their accessories.
Hair and makeup were done by the cast members, set designers were Shelley Tolliver, Richard Tolliver and Bruce Revennaugh, and Rochelle Cunningham, set construction was done by Rich Tolliver, Bruce Revennaugh, Reid Mudgett, Jessica Cunningham, Addy Weck, and Nate Kerns, the aquatic set decor was done by Rochelle Cunningham, Ariel’s Grotto by the Every Family, specialty prop – Prince Eric’s bust was designed and made by the Every Family, set painters were Shelley Tolliver, Madison Scott, Hayden and Hannah Weck, Jessica Cunningham, Madysin Grimm, and cast, production helpers were Jessica Cunningham, Hayden Weck, and Allie Norman, prop mistress was Hannah Fasilis, poster, and program Shelley Tolliver, cast photography was Addy Weck and cast, the house manager was Jessica Cunningham, audience choice designer Margi Wysong, the website was Stacy Clawson, and social media was Stacy Clawson, Jessica Cunningham, Shelley Tolliver.
The Zane Trace Players’ production of The Little Mermaid was performed on June 7, 8, and 9, and future show dates are the 14-16, and June 21-23. So there is still plenty of time to catch a show! The Renner Theater is located at 148 North 7th Street in Zanesville, Ohio. Their future plays for the 2024 season are Madagascar, which will be performed on August 2-4, and 9-11, and Little Shop of Horrors, which will have shows on October 18-20, and 25-27. For more information, visit www.zanetraceplayers.org.
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