ALADDIN Opens 12/6 at Sherman Playhouse

On Friday, December 6, The Sherman Playhouse will open an original production fit for the whole family at Holiday time - the classic tale of ALADDIN. The curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on a five-week run.

For the third consecutive year, The Sherman Playhouse will be presenting the show as a 'Panto' or Pantomime in the British style. There is no miming in British Pantomimes, just upbeat songs, delightful dancing, and funny jokes galore. A British Panto is a winter tradition of musical comedy theatre that takes familiar fairy tales, like ALADDIN, and injects a bit of vaudevillian sensibility, contemporary references, and lots and lots of audience participation to create a raucous, noisy entertainment that's fun for theatergoers from five to 105.

"Putting on a Panto is always enormous fun and with this hugely talented cast it truly is a 'magic carpet ride,'" said the show's author and director, British native Patricia Michael of Dover Plains, N.Y. "It's a wonderful way to introduce children to the magic of theatre and for grownups to have a rip roaring good time."

"ALADDIN is as fun to watch as it is to be part of," said producer Katherine Almquist of Sharon, who also plays The Empress of Arabia. "It's no accident that The Sherman Playhouse has placed a British Panto, directed by Trish [Michael], in the Holiday slot for the third year running. Both young and old audiences love it. The show is a hilarious blend of Arabia, the Orient, and even the Nutmeg State...you don't have to be a kid, just a 'kid at heart,' to love ALADDIN."

The large, talented cast of all ages features: Elizabeth Hawley (Washington), Maya Daley (Danbury), Danford Knowlton (New Preston), Christine Amorin (Bethel), Julie-Anne Brand (Woodbury), Bruce Tredwell, (Brewster, N.Y.), David and Katherine Almquist (Sharon), Spencer Lee Hauspurg, Jack Day, Jessica Gleason, and Gabriel Fowler (all Sherman), and Lynn Nissenbaum, Thomas Ovitt, Martin Rosato, Cheyenne Brown, Daniele and Ava Biondino, Lorina Milay, and Lee Johnson (all New Milford).

Besides Ms. Michael and Ms. Almquist, the show's crew includes musical director Joanne F. Archibald, choreographer Julie-Anne Brand, costumer Terry Hawley, lighting designer Al Chiapetta, sound designer David White, and stage manager Valerie Lorimer, with Stephen Herron assisting.

ALADDIN runs December 6,7,8 13,14,15 20,21,22 27,28,29 January 3,4,5 Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, December 6,13,20,27 and January 3. There are 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees on all other dates. PLEASE NOTE: There are no Saturday evening performances. Tickets for all shows are $20 for general seating for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

On Thursday, December 5, all patrons are invited to attend a "Half-Price Preview Night" at 8:00 p.m. where all tickets are only $10 for both adults and children. Students may see any performance for only $10 if they pay in cash at the door and carry a valid student ID. Students may not make reservations in advance for a performance. Reservations can be made online at WWW.SHERMANPLAYERS.ORG or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622.

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