'Aladdin' performances this week
Posted on: Sep 4, 2019
The first week of school typically carries plenty of excitement, but this year’s opening days of classes will be punctuated by performances of “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.”
About 40 students in grades five through eight will put on three shows. The first two are at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 5-6, in the old auditorium at Delano High School. The final show will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Director and sixth-grade teacher Natalie Palmer said she chose the show because of its upbeat and physical nature, as well as its messages about choices and how those decisions affect others. Aladdin Jr. is based on the 1992 movie and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “street rat” who learns that his true worth lies deep within while pursuing Jasmine, princess of Agrabah.
“The kids have been giving a very, very strong effort,” Palmer said. “They come to rehearsal every day with a lot of energy, and it’s been really fun to see them go from being kind of reserved in the beginning to being much more outgoing.”
Actors enjoying the process
Eighth-grader Leigh Anderson, who plays the role of Jasmine, said that opportunity to blend with peers in a common effort has been what has kept her coming back to theater over the course of multiple past shows, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mulan,” “Cinderella” and “Robin Hood.”
“I just love how much we get to bond with each other,” Anderson said, adding that this show is her first opportunity to fill a leading role. “You learn so much about each other and find people who want to have the same experience and do the same things as you.”
The title character is played by fifth-grader Harry Stenback, who decided to try out for his first play at the last minute.
“I was expecting myself to get (a role as) a tree or something, but then the results came, so that surprised me,” he said. “It’s cool, exciting, scary a little bit.”
While he might be a rookie, two aspects of the show that have Stenback feeling comfortable are the abundance of music and the theme.
“I love to sing,” he said. “And I like the adventure aspect of it.”
Seventh-grader Drew Nielsen, who plays the genie, said he has most enjoyed singing songs and bonding with fellow cast members during rehearsals.
“I was in ‘Robin Hood’ before, but this has a lot more music,” said Nielsen. “In ‘Robin Hood’ most of the songs were short, but this one has regular length songs.”
The villain of the play, sixth-grader Evan De La Vega, said at first he wasn’t sure he wanted to play the role of Jafar.
“But after I started getting into the lines and stuff I thought it fit me well,” he said.
In addition to the music, eighth-grader Katie Harder said the visuals are a highlight.
“I love the costumes and I think the set is going to be really, really cool,” she said.
Overall, Palmer said the group has excelled in working together since rehearsals began in mid-July.
“They seem to be a pretty cohesive group. There are some good developing friendships,” she said. “Everyone has been protective and encouraging toward each other.”
While Palmer is new to directing, she has been helped by a large group of high school drama students who have taken an active role in helping their younger colleagues.
“I have a great support staff with the high school directors that have come in,” she said. “They are very serious about what they’re doing, the kids are putting in a lot of effort, and the parents have been super supportive. It’s been a really fun.”
Cast and crew
Genie..........................Drew Nielsen
Aladdin........................Harry Stenback
Babkak........................Connor McAllister
Omar............................Evielynn Rentz
Kassim......................... Isaac Duis
Jasmine....................... Leigh Anderson
Sultan...........................Tatum Workman
Jafar..............................Evan De La Vega
Iago...............................MacKay Hoglund
Shop Owner...................Kaitlyn Snidarich
Razoul............................Sydney Hintermeister
Guards............................Kyra Machakaire, Anya Scandrett
Beggars...........................Alexis Zens, Hailey Anderson, Belle Voight
Apple Vendor...................Jaidyn Workman
Fortune Teller...................Katlyn Murdock
Attendants........................Wyatt Nelson, Luke Grosshuesch
Prince Abdullah.................Logan Felknor
Isir......................................Gloria Reither
Manal.................................Katie Harder
Rajah..................................Jane Poll
Spooky Voice......................John Lahlum
Cave of Wonders................Olivia Madson
Ensemble, Agrabahns, Entourage......................................................................
Annette Miller, Julianna Nielsen, Scarlett Morrissette, Charlotte Nelson, Abigail Reed, CJ Roeser, Emme McCullough, Carmen Mannor, Allison Moen, Mara McDonald, Amalie Keller, Alexis McAllister, Allison Schneider
Post Categories: High School, Intermediate School