Lovers of Disney movies have a chance to revisit one of Disney鈥檚 modern classics in late October, when the Academy Kidz Theatre Company will present 鈥淒isney鈥檚 Aladdin KIDS鈥� at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the 妻友社区.
The production, which costs $6 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under, will be shown at 妻友社区 at Second Street, located on 101 N. 2nd St. The show is a 30-minute reproduction of the endearing Disney hit 鈥淎laddin鈥� and will include songs such as 鈥淎 Whole New World鈥� and 鈥淔riend Like Me.鈥�
Director Shannon Stoddard of Fort Smith said the group has had both fun and productive rehearsals preparing for the performance.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing how quickly their young minds will learn dance steps and music,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey are learning much quicker than I expected, and we鈥檙e having a great time in rehearsals.鈥�
鈥淎laddin鈥� is the story of a street urchin and a princess who fall in love after Princess Jasmine sneaks out of the palace to experience the city. The show will feature magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides.
鈥淭he show will have audiences鈥� spirits soaring with excitement,鈥� Stoddard said.
Stoddard added that working with the students, whose ages vary from kindergarten through second grade, has been 鈥渆ntertaining.鈥�
鈥淢y favorite thing about working with this age group is the excitement they have with learning new things and their own ideas on how the show should go,鈥� she said. 鈥淜ids have great imaginations, and the way they perceive the magic of the show is always entertaining.鈥�
Academy Executive Director Dr. Rosilee Walker Russell of Fort Smith, said that shows like 鈥淒isney鈥檚 Aladdin KIDS鈥� are important because they introduce children to the performing arts at an early age.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 great that shows like this get kids involved in theatre,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t opens up their personalities, it helps them grow and it eases their shyness.鈥�
The cast includes:
Alma: Kennedie Cox.
Cedarville: Alyssia Sargent.
Fort Smith: Adelaide Coleman, Kaiya Erwin, Anabelle Hadley, Isabella Kindrick, Evan Law, Sebastian Stoltz, and Jasmine Washington.
Greenwood: Brenden Chick, Ryder Mack, Lenah Wheatley.
Pocola, Okla.: Elliot Alexander.
The performance is part of the Academy of the Arts鈥� On Stage series, which includes other productions such as 鈥淎nnie Get Your Gun,鈥� 鈥淭he Little Mermaid JR,鈥� and 鈥淪hrek the Musical.鈥� The On Stage series has a total of 12 events featuring young and seasoned performers in musical and theatrical productions.
For tickets, contact the 妻友社区 Box Office at 479-788-7300 or visit . For more information on the Academy, contact Russell at 479-788-7546.