This September, Children's Theatre of Charlotte opens its 63rd season with an original staging of the spectacular family musical "Disney's Aladdin." Coming to the McColl Family Theatre from September 24 - October 24, this theatrical magic carpet ride will take audiences on a journey of enchantment and adventure.
In the heart of the magical city of Agrabah, poor but charming Aladdin meets free-spirited Princess Jasmine. They are instantly drawn to each other, but her royal status as the Sultan's daughter places her out of his reach. The law of the land decrees that she must marry a prince, and if she doesn't choose any of the available candidates, she'll be wedded to Jafar, the Sultan's evil advisor who is secretly plotting to take over the kingdom.
Aladdin's whole life changes with one rub of a lamp, as a fun-loving, fast-talking Genie appears and grants him three wishes. Based on the hit 1992 animated film, "Disney's Aladdin" features beloved characters and Academy Award-winning songs like "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me."
While true to the spirit of the Disney film, Children's Theatre of Charlotte's production brings an original design perspective and a theatrical sensibility to the story of Aladdin. "It's a balance," says director Stephen Gundersheim. "We want to honor the essence and look of the film and give audiences some elements they expect, but we also want them to have an experience that is new and moves them in a different way."
For Gundersheim, the characters of Aladdin and Jasmine are the heart of the story. "They are real teenagers and their emotions and actions have to ring true for the children coming to see the show," he says. "What child hasn't wanted to be somehow better than they are, like Aladdin does, or struggled to become independent, like Jasmine? Their character arcs take the show beyond just entertainment and make it something that parents and kids will want to talk about in the car on the way home."
"Disney's Aladdin" marks the first time that Gundersheim has worked with Children's Theatre of Charlotte. Currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre Education at Winthrop University, he teaches acting and directing, as well as directing productions for the university. Gundersheim has performed in plays, musicals, television and film around the country, and has a particularly strong background in dance. On this production, he is joined by choreographer Ron Chisholm and musical director Drina Keen.
The cast of professional actors includes Erik D'Esterre as Aladdin and Cassandra Howley as Jasmine, along with Jalila A. Bowie, Nicia Carla, Olivia Edge, Andy Faulkenberry, Mark Sutton, Devin Nystrom, Jonathan Watkins and Jake Yara. The 24-person cast also includes talented student performers.
Performance times and dates are:
Friday, September 24 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 25 11 am
Saturday, September 25 2 pm
Sunday, September 26 2 pm
Friday, October 1 7:30 pm (Target Family Time Performance - SOLD OUT)
Saturday, October 2 11 am
Saturday, October 2 2 pm
Sunday, October 3 2 pm
Saturday, October 9 3 pm
Saturday, October 9 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 10 2 pm
Friday, October 15 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 16 11 am
Saturday, October 16 2 pm (Signed Language Performance)
Sunday, October 7 2 pm
Friday, October 22 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 23 11 am
Sunday, October 24 2 pm
Performances will be held in the McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn, 300 East 7th Street. Front Orchestra tickets are $24.00; General Admission tickets are $18.00. For tickets to the productions, call the Children's Theatre Box Office at 704-973-2828 (10 am-5 pm, Mon.-Fri.) or visit our website:
www.ctcharlotte.org. For ages 6+/Grades 1+
Children's Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, with an Operating Grant from the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc. and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.
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