Oswego County TodayElementary School Musicals Presented On Faust Stage

MINETTO, NY – Minetto chorus members were “under the sea” as they presented their annual musical at the Faust Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Ariel (Amber Tickle) and her sidekick Flounder (Maria Pelkey) prepare to embark on another adventure.

This year “The Little Mermaid” was staged as the colorful, music filled extravaganza filled the stage.

Music teacher Debbie Bartholomew continues to provide her students with a tremendous learning and fun experience.

For several months the cast has been rehearsing for the two performances.

Minetto is one of three Oswego elementary schools that conduct a full-scale musical.

On March 15 at 7 p.m. the Kingsford Park Elementary students will present “Mary Poppins.”

On March 21-22 the Fitzhugh Park chorus will present an original play written by music teacher Garrett Heater as the world premiere of “Admiral Ironsides and the Haunting of Haverford Hall” will be on stage at the Faust Theatre.

King Triton (Dieonte Parker) had all of the problems that a father of a teenager has in “The Little Mermaid”

Elementary school age talent was in the spotlight as not only were the lead roles solidly presented, but the numerous ensemble musical numbers filled the stage with excitement and enthusiasm.

The lead roles include “The Little Mermaid” Ariel played by Amber Tickle and she was accompanied by Maria Pelkey (Flounder), Hunter Blackburn (Sebastian) and Lauren Jones (Scuttle).

King Triton was played by Dieonte Parker and Nathan Getman while the villainess Ursula was capably played by Leah Mullen.

The “human factor” to the show was provided by Matt Mace (Eric). Also featured prominently were John Rice (Flotsam), Ryan Gimeno (Jetsam), along with Abigayle Christian (Carlotta), Izzy Dunning (Vanessa), Grace Bruns (Priest) and narrators Alyssa Adner, Allison Choate, Savanna DeLong, Jordan Hare and Tessa Smith.

Erick (Matt Mace) is rescued by Ariel (Amber Tickle) and brought to shore after a shipwreck and is examined by Scuttle the Seagull (Lauren Jones)

The sailors included Zach Sova, Maggie McSweeney, Olivia Bivens, Grace Bruns, Abigayle Christian, Sacanna DeLong, Tiffany Ditton, Maria Foti, Sami Gardner, Nick Gray, Hayleigh Hough, Alyssa Lapetino, J. Kelly Lizotte, Julia May, Madison LeRoy, Abby Roy, Lauren Samson, Dakota Sinclair, Tessa Smith, Hannah St. John, Keegan Thompson and Alex Vincent.

Other performers were Travis Dominick (Grimsby), Megan Durval (Seahorse), and Ariel’s sisters Alyssa Adner, Grace Bruns, Allison Choate, Kaleya Dawley, Tiffany Ditton, Jessica Godden, Mikayla Hardesty, Abby Roy, Lauren Samson and Hannah St. John.

The seahorses included Hayleigh Hough, Julie May, Maggie McSweeney and D.J. Pfeifer while the sea turtles were Jordan Hare, Alyssa Lapetino and Tessa Smith. Olivia Bivens, Nick Gray, Dieonte Parker, Zach Sova and Keegan Thompson were fish while starfish included Savanna DeLong, Kelly Lizotte and Shelby Wallace. Izzy Dunning, Maria Foti, Dakota Sinclair and Alex Vincent were jellyfish while the squid included Abigayle Christian, Sami Gardner and Madison LeRoy.

Ursula (Leah Mullen) and Ariel (Amber Tickle) make a deal in “The Little Mermaid”

As always the elementary school musical provided many “moments in the spotlight” for students who are becoming acquainted with musical theatre.

High school musicals are widespread, but in the Oswego City School District three elementary school musicals are provided for not only the students’ classmates, but also their parents, friends and community.