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Feature Article April 22

Feature Article April 22

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Aladdin and the Wonderful, Magical Lamp

It was Lights! Sparkle! Action! at Land O Lakes Public School when performance night finally came on Wednesday, May 5. Students, staff and parents had been rehearsing, building, directing, planning and making costumes for months.

All the hard work really paid off, as the production of Aladdin and the Wonderful, Magical Lamp was a wonder itself.

An appreciative audience saw the entire cast perform Magic Carpet Ride to introduce the musical. Then the evil Magician Jamal, played marvellously by Emily Dickinson, and his sister Halima, convincingly portrayed by Deanne Mitchell, were introduced as they plotted to find the magic lamp. Aladdin was the only person able to retrieve the lamp, so the evil twins travelled to find him, with the help of a very sparkly Candice Macrae, as the genie of the ring.

Meanwhile in the bustling city of Jahamar, Aladdin, (Jordan Crivellaro), and his monkey sidekick Alakasam (Karl Murray) were trying to keep out of trouble. Jordan led the choir beautifully into his signature song, which was repeated many times throughout the play. Karl was excellent as Alakasam, complete with monkey noises.

The Introduction of the Royal family was extremely hilarious, mostly because of Chop Chop, the Executioner. Andrew Barr was excellent in this role, with his booming voice and curved sword. Shane Domen as the Sultan and Mary-Catherine Argyle as his Sultana were also brilliant. She really showed him who was boss, and had him replying with such silly sayings as, coming, my turtle dove lips.

Nothing was more important to the Sultan than his daughter. Maddie Brown played Jasmine, the beautiful Princess, majestically. She really brought girl power to the sweet, soft-tempered princesses.

Jasmine had many suitors, but Holly Dickinson as the extremely annoying Ali Baba was indeed one of the more hysterical characters in the play. She had the audience crying with laughter, with her large hat, whiny voice and love of attention.

When Jamal tricked Aladdin into going into the cave to retrieve the lamp, he met the fiery dragon (Courtney Wilkes) He also me the Genie of the jewels (Caitlin Strong) and the acrobatic Aleashia Sheckleton as the genie of the lamp. Every time a genie was introduced she would come in to the I Dream of Jeannie theme song, accompanied by a little light show, which was provided by Brian MacPherson and Normand Gutensperger

Upon returning to Jahamar, Aladdin asked for the Princess hand in marriage. Jasmine and her ladies, Nicole Domen as Zara and Krista Nieckar as Sheeba, Performed a beautiful scarf dance, choreographed by volunteer Suzanne Regan.

Other memorable performances were Jacelyn Hartwick as the merchant woman, Jesse Mills as Sheherezade the storyteller, Aladdins mother, played by Alyssa Wilkes, his sister Neela played by Courtney Meeks, and their neighbour played by Chelsea Washer.

All of the characters and even the choir wore beautiful costumes, made by Principal Anne Peace-Fast. As well Volunteer Sherri Scott did an enchanting job on make up, with the help of Allison Croth. With sparkles and hats and different colour faces, the cast not only acted but looked their parts as well.

Behind the scenes, stage managers Kathy Bateman and Jen Meulenar created an enchanting set with the help of many students. Barry Harding also helped out with set construction. The choir added a great effect, all dressed up and singing beautifully. Joanne McCullough did an excellent job planning and orchestrating the choir. John Inglis was amazing on the piano, accompanying all of the plays musical numbers.

But no production is possible without the hard work of the director. Brian Robertson should be very proud of his cast, crew and himself because Aladdin and the Wonderful Magical Lamp was an excellent production.

With the participation of the Government of Canada