Mililani Student Stars As Ariel

A Central Oahu performing arts troupe will bring The Little Mermaid to life Dec. 20-22 in four shows – on the other side of Oahu.

Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College hosts the popular musical by Diamond in the Rough Productions, which stars Mililani High junior Kayla Moniz as Ariel, Jennifer Kashimoto as Ursula, Ken Capes as King Triton, and J. Anthony Czumalowski and Micah Rabang sharing the role of Prince Eric.

Moniz is backed up by a cast of more that 50 area actors, including Ariel’s “mer-sisters” – a rockin’ girl group that should bring down the house, according to Trojan alumna Kristi Kashimoto-Rowbottom who directs the show. (The mer-sisters include Hawaii’s Ciana Pelekai, who made the 2009 quarterfinals of TV’s America’s Got Talent.)

“We are filled to the brim with love, passion and talent,” declared Kashimoto-Rowbottom, who founded DITR, as well as Wahiawa’s Applause! Performance Academy where DITR is based. “It’s gonna be a great show.”

Behind the scenes for The Little Mermaid: music director Kenji Higashihama, choreographer Kayla Kashimoto, set and costume designer Anna Foster, sound designer Sean Rowbottom and property designer Donna Kashimoto.

The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 21-22. Tickets cost $19 and $10 and can be ordered at showtix4u.com or at 1-866-967-8167. For more information on the school, call 622-1272.