Stacey Abell
The Burlington Beacon
There’s a certain electricity to live theatre that’s hard to describe, and this energy is only magnified by the exuberance of a cast of young actors. As the players and production staff gathered at the theater on Grove Street for a rehearsal on Tuesday evening, costume adjustments and a change to a special effects element were still being ironed out.
Despite having only two months to rehearse, the cast of almost 20 students has pulled off an impressive feat. Under the guidance of director Carol Hinkle and music director/choreographer Scott Teater, students from Burlington, West Burlington, and Mediapolis will bring “Aladdin JR” to life on the Players Workshop stage the weekend of June 24-26.
At a running time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes with no intermission, the production is an abbreviated version of the live-action Broadway hit. Songs like “Arabian Nights,” “Friend Like Me,” and “A Whole New World” from the animated Disney film are blended with additional songs from the Broadway version, such as “Proud of Your Boy” and “These Palace Walls”; these familiar tunes and the enthusiasm with which they are performed will have the audience struggling to not sing along.
Addison Anderson, who portrays the independent and spirited Princess Jasmine, already has some acting experience under her belt. An incoming sophomore at West Burlington High School, Anderson has previously appeared as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Brooke Windham in Legally Blonde. The role of Jasmine gives her a chance to showcase her singing talent as well as her acting chops. Involvement in live theatre, especially the audition process, has taught her the value of persistence. “You have to try,” Anderson said. “And then try again because it’s always worth it.”
For Brayden Bowers, a student at Notre Dame, the title role of Aladdin marks his second appearance on the PW stage. Despite being a first-time lead with no vocal performance experience to date, Bowers seems at ease on the stage. His energy sets the tone for many of the musical numbers, and his Aladdin is both mischievous and wistful. “Live theatre is an experience like no other,” Bowers said. He enjoys the unique aspect of having a single production that brings together actors from several different schools, providing the opportunity to observe and learn from a variety of acting styles.
Although “Aladdin” is the title of the show, anyone familiar with either the stage or movie version will know that the Genie often steals the scene. As Al’s sidekick and confidant, Carley Petersen shines in her first PW production. Petersen noted that the role of Genie allowed her to show off the comedic side of her personality, which the somewhat shy Mediapolis student admits might not become apparent until someone gets to know her. For Petersen, the stage can be an escape from the everyday worries and stresses of life. “It can be scary,” she said. “But once you’re on stage, you can just be your character.”
Aladdin will run at Players Workshop, 1431 Grove St., on June 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on June 26 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Tickets are available at the door or at www.playersworkshoptheater.com; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The box office opens at 5:30 p.m. for evening performances and at 12:30 p.m. for the matinee.
Why should you buy a ticket? “It’s fun!” Bowers said. “It’s always moving. It goes from 0-to-100 and doesn’t stop.”