From left are Clarkston actors Emily Surmann, Clare Hampel, Brooke Bandy, and Julia Ruggirello, ready for The Little Mermaid.

Clarkston seniors Julia Ruggirello and Clare Hampel will star as Ariel, senior Brooke Bandy will portray the wicked sea witch Ursula, and sophomore Brooke Cousins will play Dreg, Ursula’s eel, in Notre Dame Theatre’s “The Little Mermaid,” opening next weekend.
Ruggirello, who played Flounder when she was 12 years old at the Mt. Zion School of Performing Arts, is looking forward to now playing Ariel as a senior.
“I enjoy absolutely everything about playing Ariel,” she said. “I love having the ability to sing the iconic Disney songs everybody grew up with. It’s also a unique experience to work on my facial expressions in the second act when I can’t talk to tell a story.”
Hampel said she wanted to play Ariel because the mermaid shows that life is about making decisions, good and bad.
“By living out my dream as my favorite princess, I know I have the power to make someone’s night magical, and that responsibility makes this character my own,” she said.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1; 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at Lake Orion High School Performing Arts Center, 495 E. Scripps Road, Lake Orion. Ruggirello will play Ariel on Nov. 1 and 3; while Hampel plays Ariel at the matinee and evening shows on Nov. 2.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $10 for children 7 and under and can be purchased at NDPMA.org/theatre_Tickets.