Forestville's Disney Aladdin Jr.'s cast. Top row, from left, Attendants: Tyler Southworth and Caitlyn Carruthers. Narrators, Jessica Ludlow, Erika Chung, Erin Sweat, Lydia Conner and Ellie Costello. Olivia McDonnell, Kyle Hawley, Jack Colligan, Karma Kassem, Sofia Coulopoulos, Connor Deagle and Ry Lindley. Second row: Kushi Sankar, Beeta Changiz, Patty Rojas, Cayla Kassem, Mihika Khubchandani, Kelly Flattery, Grace Valenta, Bridget Crotty, Lizzie Polley, Alexandra Hutchinson, Emily Fouse, Cayly Timmins, Jacob Amspaugh, Jamie Bol, Rachel Adler. Third row: Christina Barton, Faith Ann Finch, Jenna Waters, Miky Kassem, Izzy Costley, Lauren Ibarguen, Campbell Duncan, Nathalie Hoffman, Zoe Wang, John Rieling, Joey Koenig, Collin Togher, Boden Gentile. Fourth row: Kara Ludlow (Music Director), Haley Murphy (Director), Heidi Zufall (Choreography), Cynthia Adler (Costume Design). Bottom row: Jonathan Reiss and Sydney Southworth (Stage Managers), Jollie Viener (Sultan), Lindsay Togher (Magic Carpet), Sofia Silvestri (Aladdin), Jack Ellinger (Genie), Maddie Koenig (Jasmine), Sarina Bell (Jafar), Cassie Dallas (Iago). Photo by Kellie Gentile
Last Friday night Forestville Elementary students presented Disney’s Aladdin Jr. musical. Parents, family and friends enjoyed a performance put on by a cast of 50 students, who under the direction of Haley Murphy (Director), Kara Ludlow (Music Director) and Heide Zufall (Choreographer) sang, danced and acted in perfect form. Stellar performances were seen by Sofia Silvestri (Aladdin) and Maddie Koenig (Jasmine) who through their beautiful singing and dramatic and witty acting told the story of love and drama well known to all. Sarina Bell (Jafar), Jollie Viener (Sultan) and Jack Ellinger (Genie) perfectly embodied their characters, captivating the audience with their stage presence and personalities. Boden Gentile (Razoul) and Cassie Dallas (Iago), Lindsay Togher (Magic Carpet) lead the crowd of villagers, guards and ensemble through a performance of a lifetime.
All this is the result of months of work that started back in January when fifth and sixth graders auditioned to participate in this year’s musical sponsored by the Forestville’s PTA and the Dodgeball Theater. Since then both students and parents set themselves to work. Morning practices three times per week and behind the scene costume and stage work was under way. This weekend the musical experience was enhanced by the costume design work of Cynthia Adler and her team, the set design work of Cathy Rieder and the tent design work of Effie Hoffman. Glittering outfits, capes, shoes, tents and cushions set the scene that transported the audience to Aladdin’s stumping grounds, Agraba.
“I am really thrilled with the performance we have seen from the cast tonight! I truly sat there tonight enjoying their work. I am very proud of them!” said Haley Murphy, Director. Murphy, founder and president of Dodgeball Theater, a local theater company focused on developing the next generation of theater artists, is a former Forestville parent graduating her youngest two years ago. She has been the driving force behind the success Forestville has had in putting together musical performances such as Peter Pan, Wonka and Seussical the Musical over the past several years.
“I can’t express how thrilled I am to be a part of this community. The opportunities that our children have access to at Forestville Elementary are in great part a result of the dedication and commitment of our parents and teachers as well as the support from our Administration. A great example is this performance, which has been made possible by the contribution of Christian King, our music teacher (Sound Design), Molly Ascrizzi, a former Forestville Parent as our House Manager, Sally Cusenza our Makeup Designer and forty more sets of hands that without them our performance would not have been possible. Thank you Forestville!” Said Jennisse Silvestri, Forestville PTA President.
The cast concluded the weekend with a second sold out performance on Saturday.