COURT HOUSE – Students, parents and teachers will come together at the Performing Arts Center of Middle Township on March 22 and 23, for a high flying production of the musical, “Aladdin Jr.”
The 60 member cast of sixth, seventh and eighth graders will feature three students, Michael Seitzinger in the title role, Vanessa Flemming as Jasmine and Billy Graft as Genie, who actually will fly above the huge stage during performances. In addition, many of the cast’s mothers are sewing the colorful costumes and their fathers are building the scenery. Several teachers are working behind the scenes in various jobs from choreographer to stage manager.
“This will truly be all in the family,”said Kay Aspell, managing director of The PAC who is directing the show.
Aspell also will be making history. After 23 productions as director of middle grade students, starting with “Grease,” she is retiring from that role after this show to devote more time to her new theatrical summer camp “Shore (Sure) Productions” which opened last summer at The PAC.
The flying students will be taught by a professional Las Vegas company called Fly By Foy which specializes in teaching actors how to fly without wings. On hand too will be the fathers of the young actors who will staff the ropes that make the harnessed kids fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
Other playing leading roles include Nik Anagnou as Razoul; Peter Terenik as Jafar, and Ruby Washington, Madison Hawk, Emma Carlson, Merrick Adams, Hannah Rose Zoltowski and Sofia Lomax as narrators.
Teachers working backstage include Richard Sterling, music director; Dawn Brewer producer; Lee Ann Kane, choreographer; Monica Pedroni, rehearsal coordinator; June Camizzi, singing director; Jay Wynn, stage manager, and Dave Haines, stage crew. Staff members include Drew Bongiavanni, lighting engineer and Bud Morey, sound engineer.
Performances will be given on March 22, at 7:30 and March 23, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $10 for students. Call 463-1924.
Villas – Yep, here come those mask mandates again starting in, of course, a blue state. If there isn't a virus yet for the mask, they will find one before November 5th.
