West Rocks brings ‘Aladdin’ to life in Norwalk

NORWALK, Conn. – A pre-Broadway tryout at West Rocks Middle School?

Not exactly, but the fact that a stage version of Disney’s “Aladdin” is scheduled to open on Broadway in 2014 has added some extra excitement for the cast of “Aladdin Jr.,” to be presented Friday and Saturday, April 5-6, at West Rocks.

“The story follows the plot of the original film from the early 1990’s,” said West Rocks Chorus Director Sara Golding, who leads the drama and keyboard clubs, in an email. “It is exciting for our students because ‘Aladdin’ will be opening on Broadway in 2014. It almost feels as though we will premiere it before it hits the streets of New York City.”

The Musical Theater International Broadway Junior Collection features condensed, author-approved versions of classic musicals custom-tailored to the needs of young people and schools, according to the Broadway Junior website. The program was started in 1994 as a way to introduce younger audiences to Broadway shows. The list of available shows include several Disney productions, as well as classics such as “Annie,” “Godspell,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Into the Woods.”

The West Rocks “Aladdin Jr.” cast and crew is composed of 70 students in grades six, seven and eight. The production is completely paid for through fundraising of the group. The students have raised all the money to build the sets, buy costumes, and upgrade our sound and lighting equipment.

“Being a part of the production teaches the students the importance of teamwork, time management and working towards a common goal,” Golding said. “The time commitment to the production is huge for this age group. The students have been working since late October. They rehearse six to eight hours per week to prepare for the performances. Last year, the group put on ‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’ This group knows the power of a little Disney ‘magic!’”

There are performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The matinee performance is geared toward incoming sixth-graders.

Tickets are $8 and can be reserved by e-mailing [email protected].