‘Little Mermaid’ Musical Has Many ‘Tails’ To Tell At Paliku Theatre

Jennifer Kashimoto as Ursula (far left) and Kayla Moniz as Ariel swim into Paliku Theatre this weekend, along with a large cast of support, in ‘The Little Mermaid’ musical from Diamond In The Rough Productions. Photo by Anna Foster.

Diamond in the Rough Productions brings The Little Mermaid to life this weekend at Paliku Theatre – on the other side of Oahu from its home base.

The popular Disney musical stars teen Kayla Moniz as Ariel, supported by a cast of more that 50 area actors, including Ariel’s “mer-sisters” – a rockin’ girl group that should bring down the house, according to director Kristi Kashimoto-Rowbottom. (The mer-sisters include Hawaii’s Ciana Pelekai, who made the 2009 quarterfinals of TV’s America’s Got Talent.)

“We are filled to the brim with love, passion and talent,” declared Kashimoto-Rowbottom, who founded DITR, as well as Wahiawa’s Applause! Performance Academy where DITR is based. “It’s gonna be a great show.”

Behind the scenes for The Little Mermaid: music director Kenji Higashihama, choreographer Kayla Kashimoto, set and costume designer Anna Foster, sound designer Sean Rowbottom and property designer Donna Kashimoto.

The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $19 and $10 and can be ordered at showtix4u.com or at 1-866-967-8167. For more information on DITR or about a Dec. 20 school group show, call 622-1272.