​Coal City's "The Little Mermaid" set for this weekend

Coal City High School is known for its fabulous musicals, and the cast of this week’s “The Little Mermaid” hopes to do the same.

The audience can expect a professional-quality production in its own neighborhood, and by teenagers, no less.

Jack Micetich, CCHS teacher, auditorium director and musical co-director, said he always tries to bring out the best in the young cast and crew, matching personalities and voices precisely to the parts to bring the beloved musical to life.

The play won’t be an exact replica of the movie, although viewers will see and hear their favorite movie slices.

Some of the production is taken from the Broadway play, Micetich said.

“Disney had just released this as a full-length show,” he said.

The school did the musical a few years ago, he said, but it was a “junior” version, where the story was altered a little bit.

He and his adult helpers originally had “West Side Story” in mind for this year’s musical, but after more evaluation, it didn’t fit the mix of voices and actors they had this year in the way that “The Little Mermaid” did.

This year’s cast, he said, is diverse and vocally strong.

“There are almost 20 named roles,” he said, “and almost every one of them has a solo, so we’re able to showcase all those different voices.”

“It has been challenging for them, but they are so talented,” co-director and vocal coach Sherfy Browning said. “I think vocally, this is the best group of students we’ve ever had.”

Browning had high praise for Sarah Moore, the junior who plays Ariel. “(Moore) sings like an angel. It’s very inspiring.”

Browning said that Nick Berta, a junior who plays Prince Eric, has a phenomenal range, up to a high G note, which he gets to reach in the musical.

Everyone in the cast is talented, she said.

Senior Leah Campos, who plays Ursula, said she enjoys playing her character, one of the most individual of the roles she has played. It’s also the role of the villain, and Campos said that’s also been a fun role to learn.

“I have to be very vocal,” she said, “and have lots of hand gestures. It’s been a lot of growing. I learn something new every day.”

Sarah Moore said she couldn’t believe it when she learned she got the role of the mermaid Ariel.

“I really didn’t believe what was on the piece of paper,” she said.

The musical is going to have something for everyone, Moore said. Adults will enjoy the story, kids will be able to see their Disney princess and prince, and anyone left in between will have the chance to appreciate the relationships between the characters.

Nick Berta said he thinks what he enjoys most about the play are the personal situations and conflicts and how they play out. His Prince Eric character wants to find love, he said, and also is conflicted about how he feels about becoming king.

The audience will also find all of the behind-the-scenes work up to par with CCHS musicals, from the magnificent costumes, which they pattern and make right there; to the imaginative sets by set designer Celeste Sheridan; to the music. A handful of professional musicians will add to the live music of Coal City band members.

The more than 50 brilliant wigs and hairpieces fashioned by local hair stylist Chad White alone might be worth the ticket.

This is White’s sixth year adding his expertise to the show. He started when his daughter, Tori White, was in Micetich’s first play. It’s allowed him not only to be a part of something bigger, White said, but to have a bigger part in his daughter’s life.

Coal City High School’s musicals have been recognized statewide, as well. For the last three years, they have received recognition by Broadway in Chicago, which Micetich explained is like the Tony Awards of Illinois high school musicals.

In 2014, the school’s production of “Shrek” won Best Scenic Design. In 2015, several students were nominated for best actor in “Beauty and the Beast,” and last year the school won Best Scenic Design for its work in “Little Shop of Horrors.”

This year, its musical was selected as one of 100 schools to be evaluated for Broadway in Chicago honors.

The musical, “The Little Mermaid,” will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and at 1 p.m. Sunday.