Colorful, tuneful Disney show set to delight audiences

A Disney favorite is coming to the local stage.

Aladdin Jr. opens this weekend at the Glenn Massay Theater on the campus of Mat-Su College near Palmer. It is based on the 1992 Academy Award-winning film and 2014 Broadway hit about the young “diamond in the rough” who learns that his true worth lies deep within.

The production is directed by A.J. Seims, a veteran theater artist with more than two decades of acting and directing experience. Most recently, Seims directed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers last summer, and Pirates of Penzance the prior summer.

Seims’ extensive experience includes directing multiple children’s shows. He said he tries to alternate a mainly adult show with a kids show each year. “I enjoy watching kids and adults use and magnify their talents,” he said. “I love creating theater magic with a combined effort by many.”

In this kids adaptation of the popular show and beloved story, Seims said audiences will experience “a whole new world” with expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills added into the mix of old favorites. Set to pull it off is a large cast of 63, ranging in age from 6 to 18.

The young actors are a blend of experienced and first-time performers.

“The kids in our community are great to work with,” Seims said. “Besides there being a lot of amazing talent, for the most part theater kids are very fun and respectful.”

Leading the Aladdin Jr. cast is Alonzo Chatman Jr., a home-schooled 14-year-old in the title role who already has several acting credits on local stages, including as a chorus member in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and the more recent Sweeney Todd.

Cast as Princess Jasmine, hot off her star turn in Frozen Jr. last year, is Avabella Cooney, a senior at Career Tech High School. Micah Falvo, a student at Liberty University and the University of Alaska Anchorage, plays the genie.

The musical follows the story of down-on-his-luck Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim. Their fortunes turn when Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and genie within who has the power to grant wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character.

Befitting community theatre, many people wore many hats behind the scenes to bring Aladdin Jr. to life. That includes director Seims, who also designed the set. But he credited technician Ben Love with transforming pictures and ideas to actual functioning sets.

“Ben has been my go-to guy for building this one,” Seims said. “It was great to see how he made my vision come to life.”

Love’s wife, Megan, handled props for the show and also assisted with the stage management and choreography after the original choreographer had to leave the production.

Another husband-wife duo, Allen and Elizabeth Stout, the creative team behind Mascot Theatre, also figured prominently behind the scenes. Allen was the costumer, and Elizabeth assisted with choreography and stage management.

A third choreography contributor, Laura Burton, helped Stout and Love ensure the dance numbers stayed on track after the loss of the original choreographer.

“Thanks to all those three,” Seims said. “We are lucky to have them. They put in a lot of work and did a good job.”

A couple of Seims Theater Productions stalwarts return to lend their expertise to another show. Kimber Marsden brings her considerable stage manager skills to the production, and Carrie Johnson is the music director.

In addition to the setback of losing the show’s choreographer, Seims also had to deal with a shortened rehearsal calendar due to scheduling at the Massay Theater and weather-related issues that forced cancellation of rehearsals. “This one was a tough one to bring together,” Seims said. “We didn’t have as much time to put into it as usual. But we’re getting there.”

Aladdin Jr. will run for nine performances over the next three weekends. It opens Friday with a 7 p.m. curtain. A 2 p.m. matinee will follow on Saturday, along with another 7 p.m. show time that night. The same schedule will repeat on the two subsequent weekends, with the final performance on Jan. 31. Seims said this version of the Disney family classic will be a good time for audiences.

“It’s an experience that will make them laugh and enjoy life,” he said. “It’s just a fun show.”