Kelsey Skelly, as Ursula, performs “Poor Unfortunate Souls” at last night’s dress rehearsal. Also featured are Natalie Gissel as Ariel, Cambria DeBaun as Flotsam, and Marie Ouimette as Jetsam. Video courtesy of Kathy McGuire of GO-FAME.

About 75 youth performers are hoping for people to become a part of their world this weekend as they present their rendition of “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

Opening tonight, the production is GO-FAME Youth Theatre Company’s fifth show of the season, and includes beloved songs from the Disney film, including “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea.”

The cast, consisting of 75 youth performers between the ages of five and 18, includes students from schools throughout Long Beach and four other local school districts.

GO-FAME Youth Theatre Company, based in Long Beach, began when the community requested an artistic outlet for children in the area, said Kathy McGuire, the non-profit’s managing director.

The program originally began at Gant Elementary 10 years ago, she said. Eventually, it became so popular that middle and high school students wanted in on the action. Now, the program is open to participants between the ages of eight and 18.

“We saw that there wasn’t another company in Long Beach that was focused on doing professionally produced shows using only youth performers,” McGuire said. “We started GO-FAME to fill that need.”

“The Little Mermaid Jr.” runs at the University Theatre at Cal State Long Beach, located at 1250 Bellflower Blvd., tonight at 7:00PM; Sunday at 2:00PM and 4:30pm; November 15 at 2:00PM and 7:00PM; and November 16 at 2:00PM. Tickets are $15 for premium reserved seats and $12 for general admission, and can be purchased by clicking here.