- February 20, 2025
Senior Samantha Shumaker belts as Ariel while a wave crashes behind her rock. Photo by Paige Wilson
Junior Elana Sobhani sings as the villain, Ursula, while her eels Jetsam, played by William Raszl, and Flotsam, played by Isabella Scarcella swim around and sing to the song. Photo by Paige Wilson
Senior Michael Mendoza stars as King Triton. Photo by Paige Wilson
Gerald Kitt as Sebastian directs the sister mermaids. Photo by Paige Wilson
Senior Samantha Shumaker sings as Ariel. Photo by Paige Wilson
Freshman Gabriel Auletti dances as Flounder. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ariel, played by Samantha Shumaker, sees Prince Eric, played by Austin Branning, for the first time in the show. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ariel, played by Samantha Shumaker, gets reprimanded by her father King Triton, played by Michael Mendoza. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ariel, played by Samantha Shumaker, aches over Prince Eric, played by Austin Branning, when he washes up on shore. Photo by Paige Wilson
Freshman Gabriel Auletti talks to Ariel, who is played by senior Samantha Shumaker. Photo by Paige Wilson
Samantha Shumaker, as Ariel, listens to Isaac Jordan, as Scuttle, talk about the "dinglehopper," a fork Ariel found. Photo by Paige Wilson
Senior Samantha Shumaker sings as Ariel. Photo by Paige Wilson
Life's the bubbles under the sea — or so everyone tells Ariel, the Walt Disney World princess in "The Little Mermaid" musical. But up on the shore is where King Triton's youngest daughter wants to be.
Students from Flagler Palm Coast High School traded feet for fins and flippers to make the classic Disney musical come alive during a dress rehearsal on Monday, May 7. FPCHS Thespian Troupe 5023 will present four shows from May 10-12 at the Flagler Auditorium.
Samantha Shumaker will close out her senior year starring as Ariel, which she said is a "dream come true."
"I have an attachment to Ariel," Shumaker said. "I think she's so ambitious; she goes after want she wants, and I admire that so much."
Senior Austin Branning will take on the role of Prince Eric.
"It's really great because it's my last year here, so it's my last show," Branning said. "It's really fun and exciting to go out like this."
Senior Michael Mendoza said he's excited to be King Triton.
"I get to yell and be bigger and higher up than everyone else," Mendoza said. "But it also shows that even the manliest of men can also have a soft side for certain people in their lives and certain situations."
Freshmen Gabriel Auletti and Isaac Jordan transform into Flounder, the fish, and Scuttle, the seagull — two of Ariel's friends in her journey to shore. Junior Elana Sobhani will do everything in her power to keep Ariel under her control as Ursula, the show's villain.
"Not only is it a fun show for all the children, but it has a bunch of meaning behind it," Shumaker said. "There are a lot of family values that tie into this and growing as a person. I think it's a show for everyone."
