Munopco Music Theatre opens its 96th season with its first children’s show.

The Municipal Opera Company of Allentown, established 1927 and said to be the longest-running municipal theater troupe in the United States, presents Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” Aug. 4 - 6, Community Music School Lehigh Valley & Berks (CMS), Allentown.

More than 35 children ages 4 to 17 will take to the stage in the musical adapted from Disney’s Broadway production and Disney’s 1989 Academy Award-winning animated film of the same title.

“We are so excited to have a stage full of new actors and first-time performers,” says Melissa Dorflinger, vice president of Munopco.

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, “The Little Mermaid” is the story of the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, who longs to leave her ocean home behind and live in the world above. First, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

“The Little Mermaid Jr.” is a 60-minute adaption of the musical, containing appropriate song keys for children and accompanying recorded tracks. The book is by Doug Wright, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater.

The original musical opened on Broadway in 2007 and was nominated for two Tony Awards and a Grammy Award for the cast album.

Songs include “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” “Les Poissons,” “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “She’s In Love.”

The Munopco production is directed by Darice Hoffmann with music direction by Karl DeBoeser and choreography by Bryanna Broadhead.

“The children are amazing,” says Hoffmann. “They are working so hard and the sound coming from them singing these iconic songs is truly beautiful.

“I am so proud of how far we have come already and that we are now pulling the singing, dancing and blocking together.

“For many of these younger children, this is their first show of any kind, so they are learning all aspects of theater.”

The cast includes Sierra Docherty (Ariel), Andy Alulis Prince (Prince Eric), Joey Leyrer (Ursula the Sea Witch), Holden Reisman (Sebastian the Crab), Mariyah Russell (Flounder), Ava Silfies (Scuttle), Chase Williams (King Triton), Jackson DeJesus (Grimsby) and Laila Asghar (Chef Louis).

The ensemble includes Nadia Joanne, Katara Bryant, Kristalee Eltz, Kalman Mudry, Sophia Hernandez, Laila Clay, Brooklynn Laubach, Connie Belfort. Sofia Ernst, Amani Jones, Kensington Matol, Neveah Laubach, Reign Jodun-Allah, Jemma Brown, Khylah Eure, Audrey Santos, Autum Jones, Aria Newton, Jacob Miller, Gabby Domiendo, Zanylyz Rodriquez, Amina Boujelajel, Selena Hernandez, Oliva DeJesus, Violet DeJesus, Eva Williams and Lily Orth.

“The Little Mermaid Jr.,” 7 p.m. Aug. 4; 2, 7 p.m. Aug. 5; 2 p.m. Aug. 6, Munopco at Community Music School Lehigh Valley & Berks, 1544 Hamilton St., Allentown. Tickets: 610-432-2441, https://www.munopco.org/tickets

Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com