Community theater returns to Lisle Park District with 'Little Mermaid'

LISLE – Community members are invited to go under the sea this weekend when the Lisle Park District presents "The Little Mermaid Jr.," its first community play in a decade.

“For the first show, we wanted something people knew,” said Dominique Nadeau, a Lisle High School graduate now studying theater at Webster Univerity who is directing the musical with fellow Lisle High School alumni Briana Bester and Kate Behrokh.

Audience members can expect all the story and song of the classic Disney film, which tells the tale of Ariel, a young mermaid with a beautiful voice who dreams of a life on land, Nadeau said.

More than 30 children ages 7 to 17 make up the show's cast.

“I can't wait to see the kid's faces when they're up on stage,” said district Superintendent of Recreation Mike Toohey.

Toohey said Nadeau and Bester proposed the idea for the summer show, which he hopes to continue next year.

Auditions were held mid-June and rehearsals began later that month.

Nadeau said the trio of directors wanted to create a way for young students in the area to experience theater, since most acting opportunities in Lisle don't start until middle school.

St. Joan of Arc School sixth grader Jake Clements, 11, who plays Sebastian the crab, expressed excitement about the chance to participate in a play.

“I really like doing theater,” he said.

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Get tickets

Tickets are on sale through Thursday at the Lisle Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio St.

Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for Lisle residents and children under 10. Children under 4 are free.

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If you go

What: The Lisle Park District's production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

When: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 Saturday

Where: Lisle Senior High School, 1800 Short St.