Stock­ton Civic Theatre’s sum­mer youth pro­gram, SCT, Jr., presents this year’s pro­duc­tion, “The Lit­tle Mer­maid Jr.” This full-scale pro­duc­tion is the cul­mi­na­tion of a full month’s sum­mer work­shop offer­ing youth expe­ri­ence in act­ing, singing and danc­ing. The 60-minute musi­cal, designed for youth from grades 3 through 12, is based on the 2008 Broad­way pro­duc­tion and the 1989 ani­mated fea­ture film. The SCT, Jr. cast con­tains over 80 stu­dents led by direc­tor Dom­i­nee Muller-Kimball.

“The Lit­tle Mer­maid, Jr.” takes place in a mag­i­cal king­dom beneath the sea, where a beau­ti­ful young mer­maid named Ariel, played by Bri­anna Ligon, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and con­vince a prince that she’s the girl with the per­fect voice.

Says Muller-Kimball, “This summer’s pro­gram has pro­gressed with an excep­tion­ally strong set of tal­ented young­sters. “Lit­tle Mer­maid, Jr.” is a tech­ni­cal chal­lenge that we are find­ing fas­ci­nat­ing to mount. Cre­at­ing under­wa­ter effects, sea crea­tures, seag­ulls, French chefs, and – of course – mer­maids is a com­pli­cated process in any the­atre. We think SCT is def­i­nitely up to the chal­lenge, and audi­ences will be pleased with the results.”

Pro­duced by spe­cial arrange­ment with Music The­atre Inter­na­tional, per­for­mances of “The Lit­tle Mer­maid, Jr.” are sched­uled for Thurs­day, August 2, and Fri­day, August 3, at 7 p.m., and Sat­ur­day, August 4, and Sun­day August 5, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. For more infor­ma­tion, call the Box Office Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at (209) 473‑2424, or go online at sctlivetheatre.com.