Stages Theater Launches High-Energy Musical "Aladdin" Friday Night

For some parents, the search for exciting, family-friendly events to fill up a hot summer weekend can be a laborious affair.

Lucky for them, they could do a lot worse than checking out the Stages Theater Company production of "Aladdin, Jr." opening Friday night at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The production is being billed by Stages as a high-energy "adventure of magic and mayhem" for all ages, complete with some unusual special effects.

"It has good moral stories for kids today couched in some beautiful music that's really fun to perform," said director Sandy Boren-Barrett. "It has a darkness, a richness to it."

The show—a cut-down version of the classic Disney musical "Aladdin"—also features some fancy special effects that one director said will add further pizzazz the already-lively score and story. 

“The show is apparently all about two letters and one number—CO2. Cryo jets produce a plume of “smoke” (CO2 cloud) that reaches 20-30 feet. The plumes of smoke can be colored by either ambient stage lighting or lighting instrumentation directed on them, so they can range in colors limited only by the lighting designer’s imagination,” said Associate Technical Director Jim Hibbeler. 

There will also be carbon dioxide-powered confetti cannons. 

This year's production offers performing opportunities to many youth, from Boren-Barrett said. Some are regular faces at Stages' summer try-outs and in their own schools' theater programs, but for just as many "Aladin, Jr." is their one chance this year to perform because of other commitments during the school year—or even their only theatrical performance ever.

"We really get such wonderful talent at our auditions," Boren-Barrett said. "They do really remarkable work. They're such talented kids."

For most, though, the show will be their first time touring when Stages takes the production to Big Fork, Minnesota on July 5th, and when the cast performs selections from the show at the Minnesota State Fair, at the Mall of America on July 2nd, and at the Minnesota Children's Museum on July 8. This will be Stages' fifth summer bringing a show to Big Fork.

"Aladdin, Jr." runs opens June 28 and ends Aug. 4, with a run time of 60 minutes. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.stagestheatre.org for performance dates and times, or by calling the Box Office at (952) 979-1111, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for children (ages 5 to 17) and seniors (60+).