Magical Starlight Theatre presents 'Aladdin Jr.'
Anyone who has ever wished to take a magic carpet ride has six chances to do so this weekend at Naperville North High School.
Magical Starlight Theatre, an audition-based, family-oriented theater company established in 1994, will take audiences to a whole new world with its first all-youth winter musical, “Disney's Aladdin Jr.”
The show takes center stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, in the school's auditorium at 899 N. Mill St., Naperville. Performances also are slated for noon, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16.
Director Kris Visher said renovations at Naperville Central High School — the company's regular venue — are posing a challenge for this musical because the North stage is available only for one weekend, unlike the typical three for winter shows.
“Normally, you're OK with a solid, good opening weekend because word-of-mouth then goes on from there, but there's no time for people to get to our show if they don't know about it ahead of time,” she said.
In addition, the cast will have only one night to practice in the space.
“It's an exciting challenge,” she said, “but it's going to be very tricky.”
Having less time for performances also meant the company needed to put on a shorter show and, for Visher, “Aladdin Jr.” was the perfect pick.
Instead of sharing the stage with adults, 36 student actors ranging from fourth grade to age 18 and representing six high schools and about a dozen elementary schools will get their chance in the spotlight
The company did receive special permission to allow 18 adult “puppeteer” actors onstage briefly during the song “A Whole New World” and to provide backup vocals while dressed as camels, lions, peacocks and more in a vibrant parade scene.
“Most costumes are handmade,” Visher added. “It's going to look great.”
The twice-a-week rehearsals for the musical began in October with a read-through of the script. Most of the student actors, such as 18-year-old John Ludlam who plays Aladdin, also are involved with other activities but make sure to put their all into the practices.
“It's so crucial that when we are there we're all focused and ready to go and ready to put together the show we're putting together,” said Ludlam, a senior at Naperville Central High School.
“It wasn't so hard to balance with my school work, but it was more difficult to balance with the theater I do at my school and the theater I do outside my school in the community,” he said.
Alex Oechsel, a 15-year-old from Benet Academy, will take on a lead role with Magical Starlight for the first time as the feisty princess Jasmine.
Like many other actors, Oeschel's family is heavily involved with the production; her younger sister and older brother will be joining her as Iago and Jafar, and their father is helping with the house management.
She said the show should be entertaining for just about anyone who comes to see it.
“It's really fun to see everything live,” she said. “When you see everyone telling the story on stage, you get excited with them because you know everyone's having a good time.”
Visher agrees.
“It's time well-spent,” she said. “There's nothing like live theater. It will totally warm your heart.”
If you go
<b>What:</b> “Disney's Aladdin Jr.”
<b>When: </b>7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14; noon, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15; and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16
<b>Where: </b>Naperville North High School Auditorium, 399 N. Mill St., Naperville
<b>Cost: </b>$8 in advance for adults and children; $10 at the door
<b>Info:</b> magicalstarlighttheatre.org