Aladdin, his friends and the wish-granting Genie took the audience on a far-flung adventure as students staged a dazzling performance of “Aladdin JR.” at H.C. Crittenden Middle School.
“Congratulations to the cast and crew and everyone involved in this production,” said Dr. Douglas Coates, the director and Byram Hills High School chorus teacher. “Everybody worked their hardest and the audience members loved it.”
“They really gave it their all,” he added. “They gave the audience their hearts in a fast-paced, high-energy production.”
The actors were amazing as they immersed themselves in the land of Agrabah.
“They not only learned their lines, but they understood their characters and the feelings that these characters were expressing, and they were able to convey that to the audience,” Dr. Coates said.
The crew, he said, was brilliant. “They learned the set changes and executed them as well as any high school or college crew that I’ve ever worked with,” Dr. Coates added.
Seventh grader London Gallagher, who took on the role of the Genie, said the students gave the audience a good show. “I really liked how it all came together,” she said. “It was magical. We had a lot of cool special effects like fog machines and there was really cool lighting.” She also had fun. “I made a lot of new friends in different grades.”
Chris Gjelaj, who played Aladdin, agreed that the show turned out well. “I actually made my mom emotional when I sang my solo,” he said. “Everyone clapped and it was louder than a dinosaur. It made me feel good about myself.”
The musical was performed three times at H.C.C. on Feb. 2-3.
