MONROE - A quick tweak to the Disney classic "Aladdin" and suddenly the stage show is feasible for young people to play an assortment of characters, from beggar and food thief Aladdin to rebellious princess Jasmine.
At the Monroe Theatre Guild, some actors starring in the upcoming performance of "Aladdin Jr." are as young as 8, director Katie McIlvanie noted.
"It's a great group of kids," McIlvanie said. "They all really enjoy it."
The play was developed as a way for students, ranging from elementary age to high school, to take part in a storyline they have likely seen play out on screen at least once: A self-proclaimed street rat living in Agrabah steals to eat, singing about his deeds along the way. While running from police one day, he stumbles into a girl on the street. Running off together, Aladdin deduces the cloaked girl is the princess and the two become friends. Unfortunately, guards find Aladdin and cart him away. He finds himself in an enchanted cave at the prompting of the sultan's villainous adviser Jafar.
Discovering a magical lamp, the prisoner suddenly finds himself in control of a genie with a colorful personality. While Jafar and his sidekick, a loudmouth parrot named Iago, attempt to secure Jasmine as Jafar's bride, Aladdin uses a bit of magic to try to win back the girl.
A number of musical scenes fill out the show. The condensed "Aladdin Jr." is a one-scene, 70-minute show that cuts out or manipulates certain plot points from the movie in order to more quickly move the story along for its younger actors, but still entertain the audience. There are even some jokes specifically for adults, such as one of Jasmine's suitors, who is named the Prince Formerly Known as the Artist, a play on the late pop star Prince.
"It's a good show for kids and parents alike," McIlvanie said.
The troupe is comprised of actors from Monroe, Juda, Albany and even a few from across the Illinois border. In total, there are about 40 actors. A number of younger performers are set to be part of ensembles during musical numbers, continually learning dance steps. And though some actors are older, they are also being taught new things if it is their first time on stage.
"I think they get a lot from young kids looking up to older kids who've done it before," McIlvanie said. "A lot of moving parts are going at once and the new people are just trying to keep up."
McIlvanie said a core group of narrators keeps the show moving. Jahir Valentin, who plays Aladdin, will be taking part in his first show. Grace Saunders, Zeke Smith and Elli Mueller who play Jasmine, Jafar and Iago, respectively, are all high school students.
Despite the scheduling conflicts a show with young people can create, McIlvanie said the show should be fine-tuned and ready for its debut performance on June 2. She credited Monroe music teacher Megan Wiemann for her help in organizing vocal talent.
"Between the two of us ... we've managed to wrangle the kids pretty well," McIlvanie said. "There have been challenges, but I think we'll get there."
Shows are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. June 2 at the Monroe Theatre Guild. On June 3, there will be two showings of Aladdin Jr. - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Because of high school graduation, there will be no performances June 4, but shows will continue at 7 p.m. June 8 and June 9 and at 1 p.m. June 11.
Tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office and can be reserved through a phone call to the guild. They can also be purchased through the Monroe Theatre Guild website, www.monroetheatre.com.
At the Monroe Theatre Guild, some actors starring in the upcoming performance of "Aladdin Jr." are as young as 8, director Katie McIlvanie noted.
"It's a great group of kids," McIlvanie said. "They all really enjoy it."
The play was developed as a way for students, ranging from elementary age to high school, to take part in a storyline they have likely seen play out on screen at least once: A self-proclaimed street rat living in Agrabah steals to eat, singing about his deeds along the way. While running from police one day, he stumbles into a girl on the street. Running off together, Aladdin deduces the cloaked girl is the princess and the two become friends. Unfortunately, guards find Aladdin and cart him away. He finds himself in an enchanted cave at the prompting of the sultan's villainous adviser Jafar.
Discovering a magical lamp, the prisoner suddenly finds himself in control of a genie with a colorful personality. While Jafar and his sidekick, a loudmouth parrot named Iago, attempt to secure Jasmine as Jafar's bride, Aladdin uses a bit of magic to try to win back the girl.
A number of musical scenes fill out the show. The condensed "Aladdin Jr." is a one-scene, 70-minute show that cuts out or manipulates certain plot points from the movie in order to more quickly move the story along for its younger actors, but still entertain the audience. There are even some jokes specifically for adults, such as one of Jasmine's suitors, who is named the Prince Formerly Known as the Artist, a play on the late pop star Prince.
"It's a good show for kids and parents alike," McIlvanie said.
The troupe is comprised of actors from Monroe, Juda, Albany and even a few from across the Illinois border. In total, there are about 40 actors. A number of younger performers are set to be part of ensembles during musical numbers, continually learning dance steps. And though some actors are older, they are also being taught new things if it is their first time on stage.
"I think they get a lot from young kids looking up to older kids who've done it before," McIlvanie said. "A lot of moving parts are going at once and the new people are just trying to keep up."
McIlvanie said a core group of narrators keeps the show moving. Jahir Valentin, who plays Aladdin, will be taking part in his first show. Grace Saunders, Zeke Smith and Elli Mueller who play Jasmine, Jafar and Iago, respectively, are all high school students.
Despite the scheduling conflicts a show with young people can create, McIlvanie said the show should be fine-tuned and ready for its debut performance on June 2. She credited Monroe music teacher Megan Wiemann for her help in organizing vocal talent.
"Between the two of us ... we've managed to wrangle the kids pretty well," McIlvanie said. "There have been challenges, but I think we'll get there."
Shows are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. June 2 at the Monroe Theatre Guild. On June 3, there will be two showings of Aladdin Jr. - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Because of high school graduation, there will be no performances June 4, but shows will continue at 7 p.m. June 8 and June 9 and at 1 p.m. June 11.
Tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office and can be reserved through a phone call to the guild. They can also be purchased through the Monroe Theatre Guild website, www.monroetheatre.com.