The Little Mermaid: A Hit on Land and Sea

ArielTalented student voices, skilled dancers, bright costumes, beautiful sets, colorful stage lighting, a skilled orchestra and large video screens lit up Scarsdale High School’s new stage with the SHS Drama Club performances of The Little Mermaid from November 21-23, 2025.

The spectacular performances were a fitting opening for the long awaited $5 mm auditorium which re-opened with state of the art technology, new seating and décor last year.

It was a complex and ambitious production, coordinating the actors, the orchestra, and a large tech crew to produce what Director Barbara Malecki called, “the largest scale endeavor to date, a huge feat for our tech crew.”

Abigail Loeser as Ariel, sang, danced and held the spotlight as the beautiful mermaid who fell for Prince Eric, (Sergey Yanovsky). They made a sweet pair who held the audience in suspense, waiting for the magical kiss that could bring Ariel above the sea.

Uma Scher as the sorceress Ursula was a show-stopper, as she taunted Ariel who she used as a pawn in her battle for Atlantica with the powerful King Triton (Peter Robelon). With Flotsam (Alex Klatsky) and Jetsam (Rowan Baer) circling her skirt and stirring up mischief they made a powerful trio, singing “Daddy’s Little Angels.”

James McNally gave a deft and wicked and comic performance of Chef Louis singing “Les Poissons” wielding a knife as he chased Sebastian the crab (Daniel Bornstein) around the stage in an effort to fry him for dinner. Bornstein, who is a freshman, perfected his Caribbean accent and moves and had everyone signing along to his rendition of “Under the Sea.”Ursula

The show featured many song and dance numbers by the Meristers in bright costumes. They were expressive and entertaining and had great stage presence. The sailors on the boat rowed and crooned and the entire ensemble performed without a hitch.

Though we couldn’t see the orchestra in the pit – their overture launched the show and they provided a perfect accompaniment to the score.

Commenting on the show, Director and Chemistry Teacher Kevin Viviano said, “Personally, I would add that I am humbled and privileged to have worked with such a fantastic group of students on this production. It’s always rewarding to work collectively on something, outside of the classroom, where grades aren’t the driver of success-but a shared goal of putting on a production we are all proud of is.”

A round of applause for the 100 members of the cast, crew, orchestra along with the costume designers, choreographers and stagehands who pulled off a major production feat to initiate the new auditorium at SHS.

See the program and credits here:

Prince Eric

Chef LouisSebastian and Chef Louis

 King TritonFlotsam, Ursula and Jetsam