CAMDEN – Camden Rockport Middle School will present Disney’s Aladdin Jr.  Friday, April 27, at 7 p.m. and two shows on Saturday, April 28, at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. The show will feature walking elephants, a flying carpet and, of course, a Genie.

Aladdin Jr. was adapted from the popular Disney movie Aladdin which used the voice of Robin Williams as the Genie in 1992. The film is an adaptation of the folk tale Aladdin.

It tells the story of a street rat (their words, not mine) who meets the princess Jasmine in the market of Agrabah and the two fall in love.

Aladdin is captured by the evil Jafar and his brash talking parrot Iago. Aladdin is jailed in a cave where he finds a lamp that releases the Genie. The Genie makes him a prince so he might court Jasmine’s hand in marriage. Jasmine must pick a husband or her father, the Sultan, will pick one for her.

Later that evening on the Princess's balcony, Prince Ali gains Jasmine's trust and invites her on a magic carpet ride. After bidding her farewell, Aladdin is arrested by Jafar for trespassing in the Princess' private chambers.

Aladdin escapes with the help of the Genie by using his second wish.

Aladdin vows to tell Jasmine the truth, but changes his mind when she tells him he is to become Sultan after they wed. Aladdin weighs his options, and ultimately runs off to tell Jasmine the truth. He leaves behind the lamp, which Jafar and Iago gleefully take.

At the wedding, Jafar reveals Prince Ali's real identity and demands that Genie make him Sultan. Aladdin then tricks him into wishing to become the most powerful Genie of all time, forever trapping him inside his own lamp. Using his last wish, Aladdin frees Genie; and the Sultan, moved by Aladdin's courage and Jasmine's wisdom, alters the law so that the Princess can rule Agrabah and marry whomever she chooses.

Aladdin, Jasmine and all of Agrabah live happily ever after.

Aladdin Jr. director Ellen Curtis said that even though she has worked in the Camden Opera House’s auditorium for 32 years, it is the first musical she has ever directed.

“I had to assembled a great team to provide me with the help I needed,” she said. “Alyssa Anderson and Craig Ouellette handled the music, Erma Colvin, Dan O’Connell and Kristen Anderson designed and created the visual world of Agrabah and Julia Olson worked closely with me to bring all the pieces together.”

The show, as is most of Curtis’ plays is double cast. Meaning there are two casts that will each do two performances each.

“This provides more opportunity for students to have speaking and singing roles, as well as a secondary role in the show,” she said. “It is my hope that you will come and see each cast as they both put on a tremendous show.”

Curtis said the process of producing a play far outweighs the outcome.

“Learning is the inclusive experience,” she said. “Working with students from three grade levels takes honesty, patience, the ability to laugh and genuine kindness. I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished together.”

The musical is light, funny and quick, lasting around 90 minutes. You can sing along, LOL and cheer the students on stage. General Admission tickets will be available at the door.

$5 students, $10 adults, $25 family