Mecca marks milestone with mermaid musical

A Grade 11 student is “One Step Closer” to showcasing one of the biggest lead roles he has had in a musical as he takes the stage this week as Prince Eric in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

“I’ve never really gotten to play a love-interest role before,” said Zac McKenzie from Wawanesa. “I’ve played a lot of different characters, but I thought it would be a really cool chance to be that role.”

McKenzie rewatched the iconic film before auditioning for the Mecca Productions musical about six months ago.

He said the excitement he feels outweighs this evening’s opening-night jitters at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

“I’ve had a lot of fun portraying him,” he said, adding that he dreams of playing more lead roles in the future.

“I love being on stage and performing and getting to sing in front of people, and it really just fills me with a lot of joy.”

This is McKenzie’s 12th musical with the performing arts group in Brandon since he joined in Grade 4 with the production of the “Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.” in 2019.

He said he has loved the arts since he was a child.

“I would constantly be dancing and singing around. I sang my favourite songs. I never stopped singing,” McKenzie said.

He joins about 130 children and youth from across Westman in Grades 4 to 12 to shell-abrate the theatre group’s 15th all-kids production, musical director Lisa Vasconcelos said.

“Kids come from all over southern Manitoba to be part of it, so for a lot of them, it’s really the place where they find their people — the people that like to do the same things that they like to do — and it gives them an opportunity to meet kids that they wouldn’t normally hang out with,” she said.

About half of the performers are frequently involved with Mecca Productions, but for many of the remaining students, “The Little Mermaid Jr.” is the first show they’ve participated in, Vasconcelos said.

“There are lots of kids that come to see the kids shows, and we always encourage them, ‘Well, this could be you next year,’” she said.

“I think the idea of auditioning for a production is a little nerve-racking for some kids, but those that do it come and we really do focus on having a lot of fun.”

Everyone who auditioned got a role in the musical — the only reason a child or youth would not be cast is if the show wasn’t able to accommodate a huge number of kids, Vasconcelos said.

She encourages kids who may feel nervous to audition for a show in the future, adding that instructors try to keep the audition process stress-free and enjoyable.

Show rehearsals typically take place three months before curtain call, with practices one to three times a week depending on the role, she said.

Audiences at “The Little Mermaid Jr.” can expect to hear classic songs such as “Kiss the Girl,” “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World.”

The all-kids production is 65 minutes in length, excluding an intermission, Vasconcelos said.

“It’s a great way for families that want to introduce their kids to the magic of ‘The Little Mermaid’ to bring them to the auditorium to see it live, and it won’t keep them up really late at night,” she said.

The set includes a ship, rowboat, King Triton’s throne, a grotto for Ariel and a lair for Ursula.

“This is such a classic story, too. The kids really love it and they’ve had a hand in making their own costumes,” Vasconcelos said.

Setting up the stage and running dress rehearsals at the WMCA during show week “feels like walking into our second home,” she added.

“The Little Mermaid Jr.” is Mecca Productions’ fifth and final show of the season.

Tickets are available at the auditorium’s box office for shows today and Friday at 7 p.m., with three additional shows on Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com