For more than half-a-century, ENSS musicals in Brighton have been a staple in the community and beyond – a cherished tradition that often attracts thousands.
And a dedicated cast and crew of about 150 students, staff and community volunteers are working hard to carry on that legacy while breathing new life into Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on stage starting in May.
“Historically, nearly 6,000 patrons excitedly come through the doors of ENSS’ Terry Fox auditorium every other year for each of these productions ready to be transported in time, and most importantly, entertained by normal, conventional, everyday teenagers,” explains long-time East Northumberland Secondary School (ENSS) drama teacher and musical director Paul Hussey, who is also producing this year’s show.
Hussey tells us bringing this undersea musical adventure to the stage has been a massive undertaking, and it’s taken countless hours to create a “masterpiece.”
Over the last eight months or so, the group has been meeting four times weekly – after school and in the evenings – translating to about 10 hours of rehearsal weekly, and then for a time every third Saturday, too, to put all the pieces together, and work on every aspect of the production, explains Hussey.
This means not just the acting and singing, but work on costumes, hair, lights, sound, props design, set construction, lighting, and more. The production has also rallied staff and former school staff to help in these areas.
The live pit band – headed up by former staffer Bruce Tonkin – will play the score for the performances.
“It’s a massive community event – it really is,” adds Hussey.
ENSS’ musicals have been a tradition in the community for nearly 65 years. The productions are put on every two years, bringing Brighton and area communities and the high school together to celebrate theatre, and the accomplishments of these young artists aiming to put on top-notch shows at the highest professional level possible, explains Hussey.
Previous shows have included an array of classics like “The Fiddler on the Roof” in the 80s, through to “Les Misérables” and “Beauty and Beast” in the 2000s. To name just a few more of the productions that followed, there was “Mary Poppins” and then “Matilda” in 2023.
Grade 12 students Kamryn Dale and Grace Stonehouse are among the few who are returning to the stage since “Matilda.”
Dale tells us why that’s so exciting.
Dale is also pumped about taking on the role of “Ariel.”
Stonehouse is taking on the role of “Ursula” and tells us the cast has got incredibly close.
“We go out for dinner. We’re always hanging out, and you get close with these people, so when we’re performing on stage, it’s not awkward or anything,” says Stonehouse. “We all like each other, so I know when me and Kamryn graduate together it’s going to be very emotional with our last show and everything.”
The show makes its debut on May 1, with performances continuing May 2,3,8,9 and 10 at 7 p.m. There is a community matinee on Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the ENSS main office, the Shoe Store in Brighton, Bruinix Jewellers in Trenton or at the door. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 12 and under.
Doors will open roughly a half-hour before showtimes.
It’s not like these kids have singing, dancing and/or acting lessons – they just come in with pure passion, energy and commitment, and somehow, the magic just keeps happening, says Hussey.
Often, the shows are also a reason to bring grandma or other family to the community, and in this case, hopefully, a lot of families with younger kids to take in the production, adds Hussey.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
