There was magic in the air along with a flying carpet, lots of swords, and some fine performances at the Avo Playhouse as Encore Youth Theatre enchanted audiences with the stage version of Disney's hit film. 

Leading the way, the Narrators Tamara Alsaied, Allegra Herris, Madeline Nguyen and Paulina Nguyen worked great together and showed some very nice vocals in "Arabian Nights". Jake Bradford was both believable and endearing as Aladdin, with a fine singing voice and comfortable in the acting role, nicely complemented by Baylee Valentine as Princess Jasmine. Both were strong in her singing and acting performance and their duets were well blended in "A Whole New World".

The villainous ranking official Jafar (Austin Arena) and his sidekick Iago the parrot (Megan Burland) were both just the right amount of evil along with some great comedic timing and very funny in their duet "Why Me". Other strong performances included Blake Kerzie as the energetic and playful Magic Carpet, Allyce Calloway as the amusing and sassy Genie, Jason Ruiz as the all powerful Sultan, and Joseph Fusco as the comically confused Razoul. 

Backing up the leads were an impressive ensemble of Guards and Townspeople. Musical Director Lyndon Pugeda did a fine job with this group producing some crowd-pleasing favorites including "A Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali".

Performed October 4-12, 2013

Terrance Blessing
National Youth Arts

 ~ Cast ~
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Teen Ensemble: Maddie Aldecoa
Narrator #2-Guard #1: Tamara Alsaied
Jafar: Austin Arena
Ensemble: Emily Bashara
Ensemble: Hannah Bashara
Ensemble: Lily Bashara
Aladdin: Jake Bradford
Iago: Megan Burland
Genie: Allyce Calloway
Ensemble: Amanda Dankberg
Ensemble: Grace Dearborn
Razoul: Joseph Fusco
Townsperson-Ensemble: Larkin Gallup
Guard: Zoe Gomes-Aviv
Ensemble: Anna Hartley
Narrator: Allegra Herris
Magic Carpet: Blake Kerzie
Tap Duo-Featured Dancer: Madison LoCascio
Ensemble: Mikayla Nang
Narrator #4-Guard: Madeline Nguyen
Narrator #3: Paulina Nguyen
Ensemble-Dance Corps: Emily Pag 
Guard: Flayley Patterson
Sultan: Jason Ruiz
Guard: Conor Simon
Ensemble: Mark Tellez
Jasmine: Baylee Valentine
Harem Girl-Dance Corps: Hannah Vigil
Guard: Krystal Zarate

Director: Avery Henderson
Musical Director: Lyndon Pugeda
Choreographer: Shannon Mueller