Central Jr. High prepares for whole new world with 'Aladdin'

Central Junior High School's musical "Aladdin" will takes the audience to a land of magic carpets and genies, sultans, princesses and harem girls, to a whole new world of wonderful sights and sounds.

Involved in transporting the audience to that land are nearly 175 junior high students who have some role in the production, whether as actors, production staff or in the choir.

The man behind the show, Central Junior High School choir director Mike Dumey, said he wants to involve as many students as he can in every production.

"I wanted every student, if at all possible, to feel how doing musical theater can enrich," Dumey said. "This experience will stay with them. I know this will be in the top ten of their school experiences, as far as memory building goes."

Of course, directing nearly 200 seventh- and eighth-graders can be difficult, and Dumey admits there are times when being involved in every aspect of the production can be frustrating.

"It can get complicated very easy," he said.

Dumey credits the assistance of Pat Renard and Mimi Higgins in the costume department for easing the burden and improving the show's quality.

"The costuming is just incredible," he said. "That's what people say to me every year, 'I can't believe the production value of this thing.' It's this authenticity and attention to detail that gets the kids so excited."

"Aladdin" was actually performed at Central 10 years ago, but Dumey said this year's production is light years ahead.

Dumey said that as the community's support grows, so does the production, as people volunteer their time and facilities.

The show will include performances of well-known songs from the Disney movie, including "A Friend Like Me" and "A Whole New World," as well as some extravagant dance numbers. "It's really a big carnival, parade atmosphere during one production number," Dumey said.

"The kids are just doing a great job with it. I'm amazed that with the lack of time we've had that we're able to pull this off," he said.

Although in the 12 years he has been doing these shows, Dumey said "the kids haven't failed me yet, I'm pretty positive on that end."

The principal actors in "Aladdin" are: Peyton Beasley as Aladdin, Carly Schneider as Princess Jasmine, Cat Goeke as the Genie, Andy Scheibe as Jafar, Kyle Gilhaus as Iago, Heath Daniel as the Sultan, Heather Deisher as the Magic Carpet and Ross Brannock as Abu.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Want to go?

What: Central Junior High School's "Aladdin"

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 6-7

Where: Central Junior High School auditorium