Unbeknownst to most, the story of The Little Mermaid predates the 1989 animated classic by more than 150 years. The real story is a bit more complex and a great deal darker than the Disneyfied version we all know and love, and this weekend students at the West Tisbury school will offer their own interpretation.

Once on This Island Jr., is an adaptation of a Broadway musical based on the novel My Love, My Love, by Rosa Guy, which is in turn an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, first published in 1837.

The story is set in the Caribbean, and tells the story of an orphaned peasant girl who appeals to the gods to let her meet a wealthy man so that she might fall in love and live a life rich with happiness. The gods take her plea as an opportunity to make a wager amongst themselves: which is stronger, love or death? What ensues is best left to the young West Tisbury actors to describe, though it should be noted that some of the themes involved with this rather audacious production are not suitable for very young children.

The musical will be performed on a newly-constructed, three-quarter round stage at the school tonight, Friday, April 9, at 7 p.m., followed by a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.