http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/22/river_city/doc5126dd0940562915271008.txt

‘Aladdin’

Classic Tale Is Brought To Life By YCTC

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Although Tara Gill has an extensive background directing plays in Yankton, “Aladdin And His Wonderful, Magical Lamp” will be her first time heading a show for the Yankton Children’s Theater Company (YCTC).

“The people from the Yankton Children’s Theatre Company asked me to direct a play for them so I thought I’d give it a shot,” Gill said. “I directed ‘Annie’ for Lewis and Clark (Theatre Company) and enjoyed working with the children in that production, so I thought I’d give an all-kids play a shot.”

She added that she is thoroughly enjoying her first production with YCTC, and looks forward to directing more plays with them in the future.

Gill said that when many people think of “Aladdin”, they often think of the Disney version of the production. However, this play is more of an adaptation of the original version of the book.

“Aladdin is a boy who gets into a lot of mischief,” Gill said. “He’s always looking for an adventure, and because of that, it leads him to get into trouble.”

Eventually Aladdin comes across Jamaal, who is an evil magician in search of a genie lamp. Through all of Aladdin’s adventures, he meets Princess Jasmine, who is supposed to get married soon. By the end of the play, he ends up with Jasmine.

“It’s just a cute musical, with a lot of new music,” Gill said. “The play doesn’t have the same songs as the Disney version, and the characters have different names. Although the story is similar, this is a different perspective on it.”

She added that the characters in the play are fun, and each have their own, individual personalities.

The production will be held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday the weekends of Feb. 28 and March 7. Sunday shows are at 2 p.m., all others are at 7:30 p.m. at the Dakota Theatre.

“The kids we have in this play have worked so hard and it’s truly an all-kids production,” Gill said. “We have a lot of talented kids in this town and the play incorporates dancing and acting. We need a good audience to keep them motivated and keep them in theater. Coming out to the show is a good way to support YCTC and everyone involved with the play.”

Cast List:

Jamaal — Jordan Kuipers

Halima — Olivia Hudson

Scheherazade — Blake Wieseler

Alakazam (monkey) — Gage Becker

Aladdin — Sky Nockels

Chop Chop — Logan Haak

Princess Jasmine — Megan Haselhorst

Sheba — Jordan Walter

Zara — Rachel Wood

Ali Bubba — Sam Carda

Dragon — Daniel Bruegman

Queen Sultane — Haylee Heinemeyer

Sultan — Jacob Smith

Neela — Catherine Perekslis

Mother of Aladdin — Gabby Slowey

Merchant Woman (Jarma) — Tajia Schamp

Merchant Woman (Sahria) — Tori Class

Genie of the Ring — Kaycee Smith

Genie of the Jewel — Kaitlin Paulson

Genie of the Lamp — Anna Carda

Genies-in-Training — Aria Beaudette, Raina Schaeffer, Joselyn Pearson

ROYAL PROCESSION:

Asha — Emily Wieseler

Asad — Jaden Pearson

Hadi — Makayla Palacek

Nadim — Cory Lucht

Nadira — Emma Eichacker

Prema — Anjeliene Schaeffer

TOWNS PEOPLE:

Safia — Jasmine Gill

Thana — Tess Zoss

Ashan — Alyssa Ogstad

Saleem — Carson Heinemeyer

Hema — Cora Johnson

Abbud — Joseph Wieseler

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal