The Childrens Musical Theatre of Oregon will kick off its season with Once on This Island, Aug. 19-22 at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford.

The children of Southern Oregon are taking over the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford.

Led by John Taylor, former music director of Cirque du Soleils O in Las Vegas, the Childrens Musical Theatre of Oregon is partnering with the Craterian to create a high-quality musical theater performance program for youth.

This season kicks off with Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens Once on This Island, a calypso-flavored retelling of Hans Christian Andersens classic tale, The Little Mermaid. The Tony-nominated musical runs Aug. 19-22 in Medford.

Set in the Caribbean, Once on This Island tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with a handsome young man from a different social class, according to the companys Web site. Ti Moune undertakes a perilous journey to win his love, aided by the gods of the island.

Using professional sets, lighting and costumes, the production features a cast made up of children and adults ages 8 to 21.

Founded in 2005, the Childrens Musical Theatre of Oregon has presented about two full productions a year, including Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan and Oklahoma!

Tickets for Once on This Island are $18 for adults and $9 for youth (18 and younger). The preview performance (Aug. 19) is $5. To purchase tickets, contact 541-779-3000 or visit www.craterian.org.

For more information on the Childrens Musical Theatre of Oregon, visit www.cmtoregon.org.