CANMORE - “Riff-raff, street rat, I don't buy that. If only they'd look closer.”
The opportunity for a closer look is coming as Canmore Collegiate High School (CCHS) is bringing the classic and beloved story of Disney’s Aladdin to the stage.
Disney’s Aladdin Jr. is presented through special arrangement with, and all materials are provided by, Music Theatre International.
The production is based on Disney’s 1992 animated musical. The adventure comedy is exuberant, lively and a true delight for the whole family.
The play tells the story of two incredibly different people from totally different lifestyles that come together to find true love. A street urchin by the name of Aladdin falls in love with a princess named Jasmine who lives virtually in a prison-like existence within her father’s castle. The law within the kingdom states that Jasmine must marry a prince, so Aladdin requires help from a magical genie to try and become a prince worthy of Jasmine’s hand.
“Aladdin has such a good message for our community, wherever you come from, be yourself,” said Wren Achenbach, Grade 12 student and stage manager.
“This year, with all our resources, we can go bigger than ever before. We basically just got a new theatre. I think this play will be a good opportunity to show it all off.”
The production is done by the students with direction coming from the teachers. Students serve as actors, stage managers, they do makeup, prop design, costumes, some choreography for the smaller numbers, and students run the lighting and sound for the play.
“We have a tone of help from art and construction students to help build sets that add an amazing flair to it,” said Kiara Reain, a Grade 12 student playing the evil Jafar.
This year is the first year the Grade 9 students will also be a part of the production.
“It’s really cool watching some of the new generation of actors come in,” said Achenbach.
The students have been rehearsing since October. The cast is large, the choreography is intricate, but the hard work is paying off.
“The goal of the teachers is to be hands off by the time the show runs and have the students run it completely themselves, and then the teachers can just sit back and watch,” said Reain.
The production includes favourite Alan Menken songs such as “Friend Like Me,” “A Whole New World,” and “Prince Ali,” as well as wonderful new songs added for the Broadway production.
The CCHS cast and crew includes 38 students led by the creative team of Sabrina Grecu, Jodi Anderson and Heather Jean Jordan.
“We have a matinee so that families with young kids can enjoy the show without having too late of a night,” said Grecu, one of the teachers leading the production.
Disney’s Aladdin Jr. plays at CCHS theatre from Dec. 14-16. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. with an additional performance on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased tickets in advance online at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/77679 or at the door.
