Children’s Playhouse of Maryland's production of Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. opens March 3

The Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, in residence at CCBC Essex, presents Disney’s Aladdin, Jr., beginning this weekend at CCBC Essex.  The production features a cast of more than 30 student actors from Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County. Shows will run at 1 p.m. March 2-3, 9-10, 16 and 17 and 4 p.m. March 10 that will be sign-language interpreted by students of the CCBC Interpreter Preparation certification program.  All performances will take place in the J Building Lecture Hall (J-137) at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard, 21237.  Tickets are $10 per person and available from the CCBC Box Office 443-840-ARTS (2787) or at the door, space permitting. Advanced purchase is recommended.

Disney’s Aladdin, Jr., is based on the animated film adapted from the classic folktale and features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and book by Tim Rice with additional lyrics by Jim Luigs, music arranged by Bryan Louiselle.  In the city of Agrabah, the Sultan is preparing to arrange the marriage of his daughter Jasmine.  She is to pick from one of three visiting Princes. The process is interrupted by a thief, who runs from the palace with stolen bread.  A street urchin, Aladdin, who is standing outside the palace, ends up holding the bread, and is chased by the guards.  During the melee, Jasmine disguises herself and slips from the palace.  She runs right into Aladdin, and as they flee, they find they have a lot in common.  Meanwhile, the Sultan’s advisor, the evil Jafar, plots to change the law so that the Princess will be forced to marry only him. 

Gino Cardoni of Middle River appears as Aladdin, with Sheridan Merrick of Baltimore as Princess Jasmine, and Zach Miller of Baltimore as Genie.  The five Narrators are played by Nicole Arrison of Bel Air, Zoe Feldman and Rachel Miller of Baltimore, and Allison Mudd and Allison Naglieri of Towson.  Liz Boyer Hunnicutt directs this production, Julie Parrish is the Musical Director and Amanda Dickson serves as Choreographer.

How Aladdin finds a magic Genie and saves Jasmine from Jafar provides exciting and captivating family fun.  The production is filled with catchy tunes as “Friend Like Me”, “Arabian Nights” and “A Whole New World.” The wonderful music, energetic dance numbers and intriguing story will delight audience members young and old. 

The J Building Lecture Hall, by parking lot 4, at CCCB Essex, is a wheelchair-accessible facility.  Please request accommodations at the time of ticket purchase.  For more information, please call the Box Office, or the CPM Administrative Office at 443-840-2426.   For directions, go to www.ccbcmd.edu and click on Essex.

Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. is a not for profit community theatre dedicated to youth performers ages 18 and under.

Photos will be posted on www.Flickr.com/ccbcmedia as soon as they are available.