It’s just crazy because we’re in South Dakota. I feel like I’m on Broadway, but it’s South Dakota. It’s just really cool to see them.”
Jodie Klein, Dell Rapids
Carleen Wild
By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
The Crystal Theatre’s latest production, The Little Mermaid, captivated audiences this past weekend with near-sold-out performances, leaving spectators in awe of the nearly 60 actors, musicians, cast, and crew who brought the beloved Disney classic to life.
The Sunday matinee, in particular, was filled with families and friends, many of whom have supported the theatre’s productions for years and who couldn’t say enough about the quality of the show.
“We came last year, and it was really good,” said Jodie Klein, a Dell Rapids area high school senior who has close friends in the production. “It’s just crazy because we’re in South Dakota. I feel like I’m on Broadway, but it’s South Dakota. It’s just really cool to see them.”
For LeAnn Knippling, the production had even more personal significance. “My son is King Triton, my granddaughter is one of the actors, and my grandson is running the lights,” she said. The entire family has taken part in nearly every fall production in recent years.
Her daughter-in-law, Erica, played the part of the evil underhanded Ursula.
“They have so much fun, and it’s fun for us. I know it’s just perfect,” Knippling said with a smile, “because they’re in there.”
While the production earned rave reviews, it also carried an emotional weight. As the curtain closed on the final shows, co-director Val Smith expressed bittersweet feelings about the upcoming departures of several senior actors.
“We’re going to lose at least five (high school) seniors that have been with us since they were little, like in Children’s Theatre. We were talking about it today, and we all just started crying. It’s all great, we’ve got a lot of young actors coming up behind them, but it’s just bittersweet,” said Smith.
The Crystal Theatre’s commitment to bringing top-tier performances to the Flandreau community has only grown stronger with each production. The success of The Little Mermaid marks another incredible chapter for the community-driven theatre, with many already eagerly anticipating next year’s performance.
