Wishes Come True: NMS Students to Perform Aladdin Kids

At North Mianus School, fifth graders are set to put on a production of Aladdin Kids on Friday and Saturday.

The school has partnered with Open Arts Alliance to bring theater arts to the school community for a second year in a row.

The students have been working under the directive genius of Jennifer Dunn who is also the choreographer and producer.

Her fellow teacher Robin Chenot, is the talented musical director and assistant director.

The team at OAA of Rocco Natale, Cindy Busani and Ana Laborde have been great partners, bringing costumes, set design and construction, arts education and photographs to the school.

The production is sponsored by the North Mianus School PTA.

“We couldn’t have done it all without the amazing North Mianus teachers and parents who volunteered and devoted their time to steam costumes, help in the dressing room, organize ticket sales, plan the cast party and design the program,” said North Mianus School teacher Tami Summerton.

On Thursday the 5th graders performed a dress rehearsal for the younger students.

In Aladdin, a lamp vendor appears in a marketplace conjured by Jinn, theatrical “spirits of the lamp.” A group of Agrabahns help him introduce the city of Agrabah (Arabian Nights – Part 1) and the story of a dusty old lamp that changed a young man’s life.

Jasmine, Princess of Agrabah, argues with the Sultan over the ancient law requiring that she marry a prince immediately. Jafar, the scheming Royal Vizier, and Iago, his parrot sidekick, welcome Prince Abdullah, Prince Hassim and Prince Malik, who are interested in Jasmine’s hand in marriage.

Jasmine sends them away, and Jafar reminds her that if she doesn’t choose a husband she will have to marry him.

Jafar, eager to claim the throne, goes to the Cave of Wonders to seek the magic lamp (Arabian Nights – Part 2). But the Cave Guardian denies him. Only Aladdin, the Diamond in the Rough, may enter.

Meanwhile, in the marketplace, Aladdin weaves through vendors, beggars, and other citizens of Agrabah trying to avoid getting caught for stealing a loaf of bread (One Jump Ahead). He bumps into Jasmine in disguise, who has
run away from the palace. They are both caught by the guards (One Jump Ahead – Reprise), and Aladdin is thrown into a skeleton-filled dungeon (Dungeon Ditty).

Jafar tricks Aladdin into entering the cave to retrieve the lamp, but Aladdin gets trapped inside. When he rubs the lamp, a magical genie appears with his magic carpet, Avis (Friend Like Me). Genie explains that Aladdin can make three wishes. For his first two, Aladdin wishes get out of the cave and to become a prince so he can see Jasmine again. Aladdin – as Prince Ali – and his entourage make a grand entrance at the palace (Prince Ali).

Jasmine remains unimpressed, so Aladdin decides to be himself and speak from the heart while taking her on a magic carpet ride (A Whole New World).

However, Jafar and Iago deviously steal the magic lamp and Jafar becomes Genie’s new boss. With his first two wishes, he becomes Sultan of Agrabah and a powerful sorcerer. Jafar also reveals that Prince Ali has merely been Aladdin
in disguise (Prince Ali – Reprise 1) and orders his arrest (Prince Ali – Reprise 2).

Before getting captured, Aladdin tricks Jafar into wishing to become a genie.  In a flash, Jafar ends up trapped inside his own magic lamp (Jafar’s Demise).

For his final wish, Aladdin frees Genie. Jasmine remains hopeful that she and Aladdin can change the world together; the Sultan then alters the law so that she can marry whomever she wants and so that she herself will one day she will become ruler of Agrabah! All rejoice (Finale & Bows)!

See also:

PHOTOS: Western Middle School to Perform Matilda the Musical Jr.