How to Go
What: “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.”
Where: Memorial Building Auditorium, Sixth Street and Park Ave., Miamisburg
When: Through Sept. 21; Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.; Today and next Sunday at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$13
More info: Call (937) 867-0353 or visit online at www.cpamburg.com.
Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg presents “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” through next Sunday inside Miamisburg’s Memorial Building, the troupe’s new performance venue.
Closely adapted from the 1992 film featuring an Academy Award-winning score by composer Alan Menken and co-lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, the musical tells the breezy, humorous story of the poor titular street urchin trying to survive in the city of Agrabah. Aladdin’s luck nearly runs out before releasing a wise-cracking Genie who grants him three wishes. While assuming a new identity as the extravagant Prince Ali Ababwa, Aladdin manages to woo and impress the lovely Princess Jasmine who longs for more beyond the palace walls.
“This show speaks to the love of friendship and having a little magic in our lives,” said co-director Donna Roth. “It has a wonderful blend of comical moments and magical moments. It’s like the cartoon come to life, which is our main concept.”
Roth and co-director/vocal director Stephanie Behr have notably cast a female Aladdin, but are confident in the gender switch considering numerous productions of the musical “Peter Pan” have unquestionably survived with a female Peter ever since Mary Martin originated the role.
“We will be stressing the bond of friendship between Aladdin and Princess Jasmine in our production,” Roth explained. “Their strong friendship is evident in the film and will be evident here. We want the audience to be engaged in the automatic bond these characters share.”
“It is has been exciting to be able to play Aladdin,” said Brooke McDonald, an eighth-grader at Valley View Junior High School who portrayed Marcellus Washburn in CPAM’s production of “The Music Man” last season. “I really want the audience to have a sense of Aladdin’s backstory. I believe Aladdin does what he does in order to seek attention and be noticed. He does some things out of necessity, but I also feel he just wants people to notice him.”
“It’s been so much fun to play a princess,” echoed Jenna Fazzari, an eighth-grader at Valley View Junior High School portraying Jasmine. “The role is a little intimidating but very fun. The entire CPAM family really encourages and supports all of us as we continue to do our best.”
The over 35-member cast of elementary, junior high and high school students from across the Miami Valley includes principals Lindsey Smith as Genie, Virginia Elson as Jafar, and Nick Bradley as Iago.
The artistic team includes co-producers Jane Seibert and Gail Wagner, scenic designer Chris Newman (currently responsible for excellent sets in the Dayton Playhouse’s “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”), costumer Toni Scearce, technical director Dakota Rose, and choreographer Sheri “Sparkle” Williams of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.
“The routines in the show are intended to capture the enthusiasm, energy and spirit of youth,” said Williams, recipient of the 2014 Best Individual Artist Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio.
Songs include “Friend Like Me,” “Prince Ali,” “One Jump Ahead,” “Arabian Nights,” and the Academy and Grammy Award-winning ballad “A Whole New World.”
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