Notre Dame’s production of Aladdin Jr. debuts Feb. 8 at Lake Orion High School

The Disney story you know and love has been given the royal treatment by Notre Dame's Theatre department! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and a genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of Princess Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will as well as his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs and more thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world” for audiences of all ages.

Notre Dame Marist Academy's middle division will be performing Disney's "Aladdin Jr." at Lake Orion High School’s Performing Arts Center, opening Friday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. with two more performances Saturday, Feb. 9, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Though the show is a middle-division production, it includes more than 90 students from all three divisions. This year, we have eight upper-division students who at one time participated in drama club while at ND Marist Academy and are returning to help backstage and student-direct. The sixth-grade Marist choir will also be on hand to sing “Prince Ali.” 

For one Notre Dame eighth grader in the play, her inspiration comes from the top of a mountain.

“My love for theatre comes from Julie Andrews," said Madeline Lawrence, an eighth grader who plays Magic Carpet in the play. "When I am on stage, I imagine I'm Julie Andrews as Maria in The Sound of Music, spinning in circles on top of the mountain. Being on stage tears me from any problems I might have so that the only thing that matters is that I act, sing and dance with everything I have.”

Returning to direct Aladdin Jr. for Notre Dame Theatre is professional actor Meredith Deighton, who will be playing Margo in The Diary of Anne Frank on March 1-16 at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield and at the Detroit Institute of Arts Auditorium. 

“I’m so proud of all of the hard work and perseverance of our students," Deighton said. "I cannot wait to share this magical story with all of those in the auditorium this weekend.”

Deighton is supported by choreographer and current parent Donna Pieper, musical director, Ellie Carter, and Meredith Scott, NDPMA's theatre director. 

“Despite the lost days due to snow, sleet and ice, these young people have pulled together to provide an outstanding performance," Pieper said. "The show features eighth graders John Milback, Julia Housey, Jenna Spadafora, Aaron Palardy, Jackson Krieger, Madeline Lawrence, Madison Fraser and Lexi Hunter.

Tickets available online and at the door. Online ticket sales stop at noon on both show days. The show is at Lake Orion High School's auditorium on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE: www.ndpma.org/theatre_tickets

---

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.

Follow Notre Dame on Twitter at @NDPMA.
 
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org