Middle School Musical: Students Perform Aladdin Tonight and Saturday

The Port Chester Middle School drama club is about to take you on a magic carpet ride to a whole new world this weekend—and you won't have to rub a genie's lamp to get there.

After an opening show last night, the young crop of local talent will dazzle audiences again tonight and Saturday with its rendition of Aladdin Jr., a shortened Broadway-style musical based on the Disney animated film.

So for those of you who grew up on the classic love story of Jasmine and Aladdin or played it for your children when they were young, this two-act show is a treat for all ages.

Show-tune lovers will also recognize the sounds of their childhood with classic favorites like “Arabian Nights,” and “A Whole New World” with Jafar, Iago, and the rest of the gang.

Although the final product may seem tight, mastering these complex numbers was not an easy task.

It took the hard work of some 30 cast and crew members who practiced for hours perfecting stage makeup, solidifying glitches backstage and memorizing lines.

“We’ve been rehearsing from 3 to 8 p.m. every day this week, but everyone’s been really great handling the commitment,” said co-director Mark Zizolfo.

For a lot of young ones, like seventh-grader Michael Bansey -- who snagged the lead role of Aladdin -- joining the cast has provided a first taste of performance art.

“It’s opened a lot of doors for me—the directors showed us how to act and how to dance. I’ll definitely do it again,” he said.

Actors weren't the only ones with important tasks to remember. Keeping track of curtain closes, lighting and other mechanisms taught stage novices that the whole is truly the sum of its parts when it comes to putting on a show.

“I was in the show last year [as an actor] but didn’t know how much the crew really did. I realize now how much they are needed,” said stage crew member Madeline Strauch.

The kids showed enthusiasm on and offstage, and organizers hope they carry that passion for theater with them as they move on to high school.

"These kids here now are going to be the leaders of the high school shows in a few years," Zizolfo said, "and will keep the arts alive in this town."

Two remaining shows are slated for 7 p.m. tonight and 7 p.m. Saturday. VIP seats are $10, and general admission is $5.

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