Submitted by Linda Boyd

Taking a trip to the fabled city of Agrabah, Wetmore High School students will present Disney’s Aladdin, Jr., based on the 1992 Disney hit. The show offers such hits as “Friend Like Me,” “Prince Ali,” and the Oscar winning song, “A Whole New World.”

Regular presentation will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 1 and 2. Pre-sale tickets for these shows are $8 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. Tickets at the door are $1 more. Dinner theatre will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 3, and is by reservation only. Dinner theatre tickets are $20, and seating is limited. Call 785-866-2860 for more information.

“This is a fun, family friendly musical,” stage director Linda Boyd said.

The story centers around Aladdin, an orphaned “street rat” who falls in love with the Princess Jasmine. Aladdin chances upon a magical lamp which contains a genie who will grant him three wishes, but the road to true love is not easy as the evil Advisor Jafar also desires the lamp, but in the end, Aladdin learns the importance of being true to oneself.

With music written by Alan Menken and lyrics written by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin, this story will enchant young and old alike. This version also contains new songs including, “Proud of Your Boy, “These Palace Walls” and “Babkak, Omar, Aladdin and Kassim.”

Thirty-two students comprise the cast and crew of the show. Seniors Joel Hutfles and Sophia Samano portray the leads, Aladdin and Jasmine. Senior Curtis Bloom is the villain Jafar while sophomore Austin Smith will play his sidekick Iago. The Genie is portrayed by senior Alyssa Adam Montgomery.

Other students in the cast include Landen Blue (The Sultan), Alyssa Bloom (Babkak), Savannah Bryant (Omar), Emily McGrath (Kassim), Kevin Shumaker (Razoul), Ally Davis (Isir), Lauryn Scott (Manal), Shayla Ball (Rajah), Abby Shumaker (Abu), Lindsey Barnett (Shop Owner), Hippo Pascal (Guard No. 1 and Prince Abdullah), Tyson Ball (Guard No. 2), Jasmine Johnson (Beggar No. 1), Campbell Brown (Beggar No. 2), Reagan Osterhaus (Beggar No. 3), Alvana Crismas (Apple Vendor), Taylor Fillmore (Fortune Teller), Rachel Vandiver (Attendant No. 1) and Clairissa Bottom (Attendant No. 2).

Britton Myers, Madison Boeckman, Tanner McGrath, Eric Bloom, Braden Henry, Ross Shumaker and Kael McQueen serve as crew members.

Seniors Ally Davis and Sophia Samano are the show’s choreographers.

“I cannot express enough how blown away I am with Ally and Sophia’s choreography,” Boyd said. “They really came up with some fun dances for our show. The rest of the cast worked hard to perfect the dances.”

Music director Seth Stiers agreed.

“This is an incredibly strong cast,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of fun with the songs in this one, and the kids have been terrific. I believe everyone who sees this show will be impressed.”