Nearly every youngster knows Ariel, the beautiful singing mermaid who lives in a magical underwater kingdom; but wishes she could shed her fins and live in the world above.

Ariel is the subject of Disney’s, “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” a musical play based on a Hans Christian Anderson story. It has been made into an Academy award-winning movie, as well as a popular Broadway show.

Now, Ariel and her underwater friends are coming to life on the Bainbridge Little Theatre stage this weekend in the Class Act Teen Workshop production. The curtain rises Friday, July 15 at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday night, with a Sunday afternoon matinee beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Ariel is played by Kaitlyn Holcombe, rising senior at Grace Academy, who is making her stage debut in this production. She is supported by a cast of sea creatures and royalty that includes: Jennifer Cerone, Tyner Cobb, Haylie Day, Aubri Donalson, Sarah Michael Farrington. Seth Jones, Nathaniel Lambert, Piper Loeffler, Edward Moorehead, Logan Moorehead, Aicha Moustapha, Devon Poole, Conner Rentz, Rachel Rentz, Rosie Rentz, Lucus Reynolds, Alaiya Schuyler , Viviana Schuyler and Kaoline West.

Produced by Richard Whitehead, the show is directed by Ida Cooksey, an accomplished veteran actor with Bainbridge Little Theatre.

She loves Disney and sharing her love and joy for theater with teens. “They are all so full of energy,” she explains.

Stephany Bryant is music director, with Kelsey Andrews as accompanist. Ariel Brock is the choreographer and stage manager is Stephen Hayes.

The challenging costumes are the work of Taylor Strickland and Alle Lee; while the set was constructed by Bubba Spooner, and painted by Bethany, Aleyana and Lauren Rentz. Stephanie Mills is in charge of property. Michael Brown and Brice Flowers handle the lighting.