TUTS Brings 'Disney's Aladdin: Dual Language Edition' To Miller Outdoor Theater 6/9-11

This summer, June 9-11, 2009 from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., The Academy at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) brings the groundbreaking new production of Disney's Aladdin: Dual Language Edition to Miller Outdoor Theater, free to the public! TUTS has licensed this pilot production through Music Theatre International and by special permission from Disney Theatrical Productions. "Houston is such a perfect city for a musical like this.

Many families really value the benefits of a bi-lingual education and we're very proud to produce a show that so many people can enjoy. Community outreach is a hugely important part of our mission at TUTS and Disney's Aladdin: Dual Language Edition is a perfect vehicle for TUTS to reach into the Hispanic community. " Says Bob Lawson, Director of Education and Outreach. Each and every summer since 1968, Theatre Under The Stars has proudly provided FREE musical theatre to Houston families at the Miller Outdoor Theater. On June 12th, Theatre Under The Stars will also be performing a concert version of the musical at Discovery Green in Downtown Houston.

The classic enchantment of Aladdin is made fresh in this innovative dual language production. Aladdin speaks only English, Jasmine speaks only Spanish and Jafar speaks both languages - bringing new life to familiar songs. Raja the tiger and Abu the monkey act as translators for the young couple. Genie, the Sultan, Iago and all of your favorite characters come to life on the stage!

Disney's Aladdin Dual Language Edition features a book by Alan Menken,music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Director, Rozie Curtis and choreographer Shay Rodgers, contribute years of professional experience as staff and teachers at the TUTS Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT). Curtis is the Manager of Community Outreach at TUTS and Rodgers serves as the Manager of Education.

The role of Aladdin is played by HSMT student Christian Warner, who performed Young Simba on Broadway in The Lion King as well as on national tour. Warner has recently been seen in the TUTS production of Disney's When You Wish, and Geppetto and Son. Jasmine is played by HSMT student Sandy Valles who was recently seen in, Geppetto and Son and last summer's Disney's When You Wish. The role of Genie is played by Stacie Bonura. Bonura is a student at the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre as well as Sam Rayburn High School and was recently seen in Irving Berlin's White Christmas. HSMT student, Drew Jones, will play evil villain Jafar. Jones traveled with the HSMT Academy to the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta this past year where TUTS took home the trophy for Best Musicality and Shay Rogers was awarded for choreography. Johnathan Luna will play the role of Raja, Trey Curtis will play Razu, Heather White will play Iago, and Mallory Bechtel will appear as Abu, Aladdin's monkey.

The cast is composed of 43 students of the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Academy. Alyssa Arizpe, Nicole Baker, Michael Bevan, Carrie Cook, Sydney Crofton, Adelaide Daniel, Chandler Dunham, Traci Fowler, Leila Jammal, Mary Jammal, Drew Jones, Austin Karkowsky, Susana Lacouture, DylanLambert, Donovan Linsey, Miho Maeda, McKenna Marmolejo, Macie Mateja, Jordan McClaughlin, McCall Montz, Caterina Nasr, Elizabeth Peacock, Trevor Rex, Jessica Riojas, Sydney Roberts, Lyric Smith, Janie Stewart, Alex Stone, Caroline Taylor, Chris Tipps, Emily Thompson, Ian Tonroy, Emily Wallace, Abby Weeks, Mason Woods, and Jayce Williams.

Academy at the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre is a year-long training program for career-track students. Admission is audition based. The Academy at HSMT provides students with a spectacular curriculum in the professional techniques of acting, singing, and dancing. Classes include intermediate and advanced studies in areas such as Tap, Ballet/ Jazz, Acting, Improvisation, Scene Study, Voice and Theory, Musical Theatre Workshops and Directing. The Academy students have numerous opportunities to put their training to work in performance, with final shows at the end of every season, Student Matinee projects and traditional seasonal events. Auditions for the 2009-2010 Academy season are July 8th, August 1st, and August 22nd. Please visit the TUTS.com website for audition details.

Theatre Under The Stars production of Disney's Aladdin Dual Language Edition is made possible by the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, Inc.

Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston's acclaimed non-profit musical theatre company and is currently under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge. Dedicated to producing new works and classic masterpieces, the 2008-2009 "Wow! What a Season." celebrates TUTS' 41st Season of bringing world-class musical theatre to Houston audiences. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the building opened. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres such as Disney's Beauty and the Beast, as well as International tours including Debbie Reynolds in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Juliet Prowse in Mame, Robert Goulet in Man of La Mancha, the Tony Award-winning revival of Carousel and the Deaf West Theatre production of Big River. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,700 students annually through both The Academy and The Studio, which allow students to flourish in a year-round schedule of classes. Housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston's high school musical theatre programs.

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