It's anchors away for “Disney's The Little Mermaid,” the latest offering by the Sing Hosanna! group.

Director Ralph Christy Jr. is excited to bring this fun tale to the stage but it comes with a few challenges, he said.

“The show takes place on a variety of surfaces, in the water, under the water and on land,” said Christy, noting the costumes are also a big undertaking in addition to the sets.

“We are borrowing a few costumes from Highlands (High School) who recently did the show for their spring musical,” he said.

Christy was quick to note that volunteers have been busy creating costumes for the remainder of the cast. Because the show is new and so different from anything else they've performed, Sing Hosanna! is unable to recycle material from former shows.

The role of Ariel the mermaid is being played by Mandy Kamerer of Chicora, who is employed as a paraprofessional for the Butler School District.

“I think I bring out the innocence and day dreaming personality of this character well,” Kamerer said.

Kamerer noted she has always wanted to be in a production with her son, Tyler Pollock, and this show was a perfect one for that. A student at Butler County Community College, he is playing Sebastian.

She also noted that Ariel was the princess she could relate to the most. “The most challenging thing has been remembering the order of everything,” Kamerer said. “This is the first production I have been in other than church programs.”

Her Prince Charming, Eric, is being portrayed by Nathan Rockcastle of Butler Township.

“Eric is carefree and seeks a life removed from the responsibilities of being a king. He wants to find adventure and feel alive while traveling the vastness of the ocean,” Rockcastle said.

While Rockcastle believes it can be challenging for an “older” actor to portray a young character, his experience at exactly that helps him to rise to the occasion, he said.

“Playing Eric requires a high level of energy and excitement. I relished the opportunity to tackle this role and have attempted to bring an 'alive,' youthful Eric to the stage,” he said.

Like many of the other cast members, Rockcastle wanted to be a part of the show because it was a favorite movie.

“To be a part of something that I've truly enjoyed since watching it on the big screen for the first time is an awesome opportunity,” he said.

Playing the adorable friend Flounder is Matt Nocera, a chemistry teacher from Butler.

“He is the cute, lovable friend to Ariel. He tries to look after her and cannot hide his crush on her,” Nocera said.

“I thought it would be great to be involved with one of the most popular Disney shows. Many people know the show, and having two sisters who would watch it all the time during our childhood, it has come to be one of my favorite stories,” he said.

Just as the sets are challenging for the director, the mannerisms can be challenging for the actors. “The most challenging aspect of the show is moving like a fish,” Nocera said. “Everywhere we go, we have to act as if we are swimming. That is easy to forget.”

Maxwell McAuley of Jefferson Township is playing the part of Scuttle, the scatterbrained seagull.

“He claims to have a lot of knowledge of the human world. Given Ariel's ignorance and 'gull-ability' as well as Scuttle's abundant confidence, he passes as a genius on the human world,” McAuley said of Scuttle.

The choreography has McAuley on his toes, particularly the moves that go along with his song “Positoovity,” he said.

Rachel Creaturo of Penn Township is taking up the trident for the role of villainous Ursula.

“I have played the role of misunderstood woman, a princess, and a sassy pants. I wanted to explore the idea of being the villain this time around. Ursula's low singing register also appealed to me,” said Creaturo of her desire to be a part of this production.

Creaturo brings her volume to the character. “Playing a restrained character is actually more difficult for me. I might be good at giving an evil eye or two, having been a teacher, but that's about as evil I get,” she said.

She noted that Ursula is not an octopus but a squid who typically blends in with their surroundings.

“Being glam but gross is an odd combination. I spend a good bit of time thinking about ways to incorporate those two traits through action,” Creaturo said.

The 60-member cast ranges in age from 7-year-olds through senior citizens.

The show opens April 7 at the Succop Theater.

WHO: Sing Hosanna!WHAT: “The Little Mermaid”WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 7 and 8 and 2 p.m. April 9WHERE: Succop Theater at Butler County Community CollegeTICKETS: $15, unreserved, available at May’s Music ShoppeINFO: 724-287-8362