"Catch the Magic!" during the Marion Palace Theatre's 96th season
Two summers ago, veteran director Clare Cooke made a solemn vow: "No more Disney shows!" Yet, as if under a spell cast by the success of last year's enchanting rendition of "Beauty and the Beast," the curtains are set to rise once more, this time unveiling Disney's "The Little Mermaid."
The show will be held at the Palace Theatre on July 13, marking the grand commencement of our 96th season.
In this whimsical escapade, we dive into the tale of the spirited 16-year-old mermaid princess, Ariel, whose curiosity for life beyond the waves leads her into a forbidden romance with a human prince. With a splash of determination and a sprinkle of magic, Ariel strikes a perilous deal with the sea witch Ursula to tread on land for three fleeting days.
What unfolds next? Get your tickets to find out. Auditions for this aquatic adventure will take place 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, welcoming talents aged 12 and above.
'Rent' and 'The Lion King Jr.' on the calendar
With the success of two summer musicals last year, we're rounding out the summer with a masterpiece of a different hue. "Rent," the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Jonathan Larson, directed by Dustin Rawlins, is scheduled for Aug. 23-25. Set in New York City's East Village in the late 1980s, "Rent" tells the story of a bohemian group of artists grappling with illness, poverty and the fleeting nature of life itself, drawing inspiration from the opera "La Boheme."
But wait, there's more. Our 96th season is brimming with delights, from the junior rendition of Disney's beloved classic, "The Lion King Jr.," directed by Kristi Wink in October, to the heartwarming holiday tradition, "Christmas at the Palace," directed by Clare Cooke the first weekend of December.
Looking ahead to February, prepare to be enchanted by "The Girl with the Golden Locks," our yearly junior play directed by the talented Morgan Schwartz. And in April, brace yourselves for the uproarious sequel to the beloved "Nunsense" with "Nunsense 2: The Second Coming," guided by the skilled hands of Mark Neville.
Tribute bands will pay homage music icons
But the entertainment extravaganza doesn't end there! Prepare to groove with tribute bands paying homage to music icons like Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Buffett and Patsy Cline. And mark your calendars for "One Night In Memphis," a journey back to 1956 when music legends Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis jammed together at the Sun Records Studio.
For family fun that defies gravity, witness the mesmerizing feats of the Shanghai Circus Chinese Acrobats in February and prepare to be spellbound by master illusionist Michael Grandinetti in June 2025. We're also thrilled to showcase Ohio-born talents like McGuffey Lane, Sara Grote and Ryan Ratliff.
And for those seeking laughter therapy, we've got TV stars Marc Price and Steve Hytner bringing the house down in November, followed by the rollicking tunes of Howl at the Moon's "Dueling Pianos" in January.
Tickets for the general public will go on sale for Disney’s "The Little Mermaid" on May 20 and for the rest of the season May 30. It’s also not too late to become a Palace member and help keep our historic theatre running for future generations. Additional information can be obtained on our website marionpalace.org or by calling the box office at 740-383-2101.
Kirk Detweiler is the executive director of the Marion Palace Theatre.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Palace Theatre staging musicals, tribute bands next season
