Let Neuqua Theater take you on a magic carpet ride

If a magical genie were to grant the Neuqua Valley students one wish, it would be for you to come see their production of "Aladdin."

Neuqua Valley High School theater students present "Aladdin" at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 3 and 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. Performances are in the auditorium at the school, 2360 95th St., Naperville. Tickets are $11 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.

Neuqua's adaptation of "Aladdin" more closely mirrors the folk tale from the "One Thousand and One Nights" collection than Disney's 1992 theatrical animated movie, but director and English teacher Lisa Southern said laughs can be found around every corner.

In the story, Aladdin, a poor teenager, is tricked by a sorcerer into retrieving an oil lamp from a cave protected by magic. The sorcerer tries to double-cross Aladdin, who finds himself trapped in the cave. A series of encounters with magical genies ultimately helps Aladdin defeat the evil sorcerer and live happily ever after with the Princess.

As soon as the play was posted last year, junior Conor Casey knew what part he wanted and he got it.

"The Sultan is exactly the role I was looking for because he's just a big, jolly guy," he said. "I've been looking forward to this ever since it was posted."

Southern said the annual fall children's play, featuring children from the department's summer camp, will feature many fun characters, magical special effects and "incredibly detailed" set designs.

"There are many fun characters, but the genies really steal the show - from their incredible entrances to their comedic timing," Southern said. "In fact, my favorite part of the whole show is the cave scene where we meet the Genie of the Ring. Our tech crew have really built us a cool cave that allows us to do some fun things with the genies."

Senior Bryson David Hoff, who plays the genie Zorah, has participated in numerous Neuqua performances and has been involved in community theater since sixth grade. The children's play is always his favorite.

"The detail in the set pieces designed for the children's play are experimental, so we're seeing what we can do with smoke, more detailed lighting and really intricate sets," Hoff said. "They just have so much more detail."

And all of it will come together under Southern and Olufisayo Akanni, a junior debuting as student director.

Akanni has acted in several performances but said she has enjoyed the challenges of directing.

"Directing is a lot more challenging because you can't make the moves or changes yourself. You have to communicate with the cast," she said. "But it has been a rewarding experience to be in a position to ensure the show is its best."

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> "Aladdin," presented by Neuqua Valley High School</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7 p.m. Oct 9 and 10, 3 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11.</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Neuqua Valley High School Auditorium, 2360 95th St., Naperville</p> <p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $11 for adults, $5 for students and seniors</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 428-6380 and <a href="http://www.ipsd.org" target="new">www.ipsd.org</a></p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=326809">Director's cut</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>