STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTO BY ANNELIESE TURCK
Be transported to the magical land of Agrabah, the City of Enchantment when Community School’s Middle School Masque presents Disney’s “Aladdin, Jr.”
Students will unveil a whole new world filled with genies, magic carpet rides, romance and adventure at 7 p.m. tonight—Friday, April 27—and 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in the Community School Theatre.
“The kids are having a blast—they grew up knowing this because of the movie,” said Joel Vilinsky, who is directing the production.
Indeed, the 1992 Academy Award-winning film introduced the children to the story of a street rat named Aladdin who finds a magic lamp.
Offered three wishes by the Genie in the lamp, Aladdin is launched on an adventure that tests his will and moral character as he seeks to gain the respect of a beautiful young princess named Jasmine.
In so doing, he learns that his true worth lies deep within.
“It’s a story of dreams and imagination—something our young actors have in abundance,” said Vilinsky, Community School’s seventh-grade teacher and Middle School drama coach. “It’s exciting and high energy.”
The musical, based on the book by Chad Beguelin, features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Beguelin. It features such familiar songs as “A Whole New World.”
Community School’s production features a cast and crew of more than 30 students.
Carter Sammis plays Aladdin and Maya Lightner, Jasmine.
Priya Merchant portrays the mischievous Genie, while Aladdin’s friends are played by Liesl Gerlach, Bella Maurtua and Brady Giles.
Abigail Sheerin, who designed 107 costumes for last year’s Madagascar” as a middle school student, designed the costumes for “Aladdin, Jr.”—this time as an Upper School student. She had help from Middle School student Carson Vogel.
“So, she is serving as a mentor to a younger student,” said Vilinsky.
Luke Osborn provided the scenic design and Gabe Delgado, lighting.
Others in the cast are Maeve Bailey, Etienne Bumberg, Elise Buchanan, Frances Cherp, Niki Cohen, Carter Colgate, Robby Cullen, Charlotte Davis-Jeffers, Emma Desserault, Amanda Dunn, Bridget Evans, Helen Goodyear, Eloise Hebert, Nicole Kanowsky, Emma Klingenfuss, Lucy Lamoureux, Tanner Lee, Colin Pogue, Dillen Price, Will Ring, Julianna Seymour, Bridgette Silva, Isabelle Thomson, Anika Vandenburgh, Ava Verhaeghe, Carson Vogel and Chloe Vogel.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults, available at Community’ School’s Middle School office, at the door and by calling 208-622-3960.