Penn Yan prepares for virtual show

PENN YAN-The Penn Yan Middle School Drama Club students will retell the classic "Little Mermaid" fairy tale musically through their production of "Once on this Island Jr." beginning March 5.
"Once on this Island Jr." is an adaptation of the popular Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" set in the Caribbean. The story follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a young man from a wealthy family. When Daniel is returned to his land, the gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.
The Penn Yan Drama Club will present a streamed recording of the MTI Broadway production, March 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. and March 7 at 2 p.m. Visit the Penn Yan Central School District website or https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/46321 to find the free ticket link to view the production. It is recommended to access this link prior to the selected show date and time of the performance.
The production team includes: Rebekah Prine (director and producer), Jessica Rhodes (director and music director), Rhiannon LyonSmith (assistant director), Brady MacKerchar (assistant music director), Shari Hassos (choreographer), Makenna Hansen, (stage manager), Sara Lyon (lighting designer), Dean Knapton (set builder), Elizabeth DeMaria (scenic designer), Simon Gaston (master electrician), Herb Gaston (videographer), and Frank Straub (sound designer).
The cast members include eighth graders: Irelynd Densmore (Ti Moune), Maihue Miranda-Wiltberger (Agwe-Goddess of Water), Jenna Reynolds (Erzulie-Goddess of Love), Aidan Dallos (Papa Ge-God of Death), Madisyn Richter (Mama Euralie), Logan Miller (Tonton Julian and Daniel's Father), Leah Prather (Ensemble and Dance Captain) and Rebecca Hayes (Ensemble). Seventh Graders: Ella Kinsey (Asaka-Mother Earth), Owen Droney (Daniel), Abigail Fischer (Ensemble and Gatekeeper) and Zoe Zeigler (Ensemble). Sixth graders: Nina Reid (Little Ti Moune), Zoee Comstock (Andrea), Cady Brady (Ensemble) and Addison Gillette (Ensemble).
"This year has brought many changes into our lives and has taken many of the bright spots out of our school year," said Rebekah Prine, director and producer of 'Once on this Island, Jr.' "But thankfully the PYMS musical was able to continue to be a bright spot for our theatre students, their families and our community. We are grateful to both the PYCSD and PYMS administration, and PYCSD Board of Education for allowing the PYMS drama club to produce this year's musical production of "Once on this Island Jr." while following social distancing, masking and sanitizing guidelines. We are also grateful for the kindness and hospitality of the Wellspring Fellowship for providing our club a place to rehearse and perform. And, finally, we are thrilled to offer our PYCSD family and local community free access to view Penn Yan middle school drama club's production of 'Once on this Island Jr.'"
"Once on this Island Jr." is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 www.MTIShows.com.