An underwater adventure, a trip down the rabbit hole and an extraordinary Newfoundland welcome: this year’s St. Michaels University School musicals will take audiences to three very different worlds. Grade 5 classes will present Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., Middle School will stage Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr., and Senior School will bring Come From Away to the McPherson Playhouse.
For Junior School students and families, the announcement ends weeks of closely guarded secrets, hints in Drama class and enthusiastic guessing. The Grade 5 production was finally revealed at Curriculum Night on Oct. 1, completing a lineup that promises plenty to look forward to this school year.
Musicals are a much-anticipated part of life at SMUS, connecting students’ earliest experiences on stage with the ambitious productions of their Senior School years. That continuity draws on the strength of the school’s choral, band and strings programs. Dedicated strings programs in the timetable begin as early as Grade 4 with options to continue through Middle School or pick up band. Choral programs are introduced as young as Kindergarten and continue to Senior School. At all ages opportunities for drama, dance and theatre are woven into student learning.
When the McPherson stages are lit, it is a culmination of student performance and preparation whether on stage, in the pit orchestra or behind the scenes. Last year’s impressive three-and-a-half-hour production of Les Misérables, accompanied by an entirely student pit orchestra, showed just how far that journey can lead.
Junior School: Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.
June 3 and 4, 2027 | McPherson Playhouse
Grade 5 students will take audiences beneath the waves to meet Ariel, a young mermaid who dreams of life on land. Defying her father, King Triton, she makes a dangerous bargain with the sea witch Ursula for a chance to become human and pursue Prince Eric. The musical features favourites including “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea,” alongside songs added for the stage adaptation.
For director and choreographer Stephanie Geehan, the anticipation has been part of the fun.
“It has been a lot of fun to chat with the Grade 5 students in Drama class to give them hints and to hear their ideas about which one it could be,” she said.
Now students can turn their attention to bringing the story to life, with the additional songs giving smaller characters more to do. Geehan will work alongside music teacher Annika Gelman, with parents supporting costumes and staff contributing throughout the production.
Last year’s production of the Wizard of Oz, Jr. was a large success with Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion and an array of colourful performers entertaining two sold out nights.
Middle School: Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
March 4 and 5, 2027 | McPherson Playhouse
Students in Grades 7–8 will follow Alice down the rabbit hole into a world where the rules rarely make sense. As she searches for a way home, encounters with the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts challenge her to discover who she is. Familiar songs such as “The Unbirthday Song” and “Painting the Roses Red” bring this curious adventure to life. The production is an adaptation from the 1951 animated Disney film and has new numbers inspired by the 2010 live-action version.
Auditions are beginning, with director Tom Hollingworth already seeing enthusiastic interest from students eager to take on the show’s colourful characters.
“The show’s colourful characters and playful spirit make it a perfect opportunity for our performers to challenge themselves, build confidence, and create something special together,” he said.
The Middle School last took the stage in March of 2025 with an 80’s themed performance of Rock of Ages.
Senior School: Come From Away
February 25–28, 2027 | McPherson Playhouse
Inspired by real events, Come From Away tells the story of 38 planes carrying thousands of passengers diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, on Sept. 11, 2001. As stranded travellers grapple with fear and uncertainty, local residents welcome them into their community. Through humour, music and unexpected friendships, the show explores the extraordinary kindness that emerged during a moment of global crisis.
According to director Morgan McLeod, SMUS will be the first high school in Victoria to present this celebrated piece of Canadian theatre.
“After a hugely successful production of Les Misérables, we wanted to tackle something completely different—and we have had a huge turnout of students as well,” he said.
Approximately 70 students will make up the cast and stage management team, with student musicians and backstage crew adding to that number. McLeod returns alongside music director Ian Farish, vocal director Christina Banman and choreographer Kelli McLeod.
Scenes from the 2026 Junior School Musical (Wizard of Oz, Jr.), 2025 Middle School Musical (Rock of Ages) and 2026 Senior School Musical (Les Misérables):
