SUNBURY -- Shikellamy High School's production of "Once Upon This Island" wraps up the season for high school productions with three performances today, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

"This community needs to see this show," said Ellen Boyer, director of the show.

Boyer, who has worked in regional theater and touring companies, said the 30 students in the cast represent every ethnicity attending Shikellamy.

"I've wanted to do this show ever since I came back (to Shikellamy)," she said. "I wanted to celebrate the diversity that we have here."

The stage in the huge Shikellamy auditorium has been extended out into the seats for two reasons, Boyer said.

"I wanted to get the actors out there closer to the audience, and we needed the space for the dancing."

"Once Upon This Island" is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story "The Little Mermaid" and also borrows freely from several other classic stories including "Romeo and Juliet."

The message of the play, Boyer said, is that much more unites people than divides them.

"What unites us is the power of love," she said.

Boyer said the response of audiences to the performances last weekend were very positive. "People really seemed to enjoy it, and they were laughing and crying with it," she said.

Tickets for "Once Upon This Island" are $10 for reserved seats and $6 for general admission and available by calling 286-3760 or at the door.