With a cast of 32 students and a production crew of 80 students, Burrell’s Huston Middle School will present Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” Thursday through Saturday at the school auditorium and during a livestream Saturday.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased only in advance online at our.show/hms aladdinjr.
“The best part of the production is that the students are involved in every part of the process,” said Kaylyn Scheller, director of the school’s drama club.
In addition to acting, many students were involved in essential production tasks such as set design, painting props and helping with rehearsals.
“We are really proud of the production,” Scheller said. “The students generate so much on their own. When they are onstage, they bring their own life to the characters.”
It’s rare for a school district in the region to have a middle school put on a production, she said. The school’s drama club primes students for the high school’s drama program.
This year’s show is based on the 1992 film and Broadway. The musical is similar to the Broadway version but is shorter.
The story follows the adventures of Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar and Kassim, after discovering a magic lamp.
“An audience member would expect to see exactly what they are going to get, and there are more elements added into the show that enhance the traditional storyline,” she said.
Scheller was impressed with the students’ artistic abilities for the sets and props.
“Our favorite piece is the tiger for the Cave Wonders in Agrabah. It’s very impressive,” she said.
The main actors were enthusiastic about the production.
Jaden Floyd-Quigley, 13, of Lower Burrell loved the experience, cast and director.
But he also really loved playing the evil character Jafar.
“To get into the role, I just get mad,” he said. “Jafar is always angry.”
This is Floyd-Quigley’s second play at Huston Middle School.
“On the first night of the show, I’m a little nervous, but once I’m out there on stage, I’m pretty good,” he said.
Admitting it’s cliché, Abigail Weitzel, 14, of Upper Burrell said she had so much fun with the cast playing Genie.
“It’s amazing to be with each other,” she said.
Weitzel, a long-time dancer, has been in two musicals at Penn State New Kensington.
“The Aladdin sets are gorgeous,” she said. “It’s going to be fun to watch because we are all a family on stage.”
