Ashland District School students create magic on stage

13 years ago

 ASHLAND NEWS

by Susan Feeney-Hopkins

    Middle and high school students from the Ashland District School treated the community to an outstanding and entertaining musical performance of “Aladdin Jr.,” inspired by the animated Disney film “Aladdin.” Under the creative direction of Ashland’s music director Jonathan Simonoff and mathematics/physics teacher Shari Ward, the performance captured the attention of the audience and didn’t let go until the final bow.

    Each student — whether performing in a lead role or part of the overall ensemble — displayed confidence and played their roles very well, making for believable characters and an entertaining show. These students were highly engaging, worked well together and most of all, looked like they were having fun. What a wonderfully inspired endeavor to allow these students the outlet to express their creativity.

The story of Aladdin is based on the Arab folktale of “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.” Aladdin, impressively played by Amos Ward, is a “street rat,” a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. In happenstance, Aladdin meets and falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmine, played by the divine Brooke LaBelle. Because they come from different worlds, Aladdin understands there would be no way for them to marry. She is fated to marry a prince. In the meantime, through no fault of his own, Aladdin was imprisoned in a cave where a magic lamp had secretly been hidden. When he found the magic lamp, and accidentally rubs it, a Genie appears and grants him three wishes. Gabrielle Cyr was animated in her interpretation as Genie winning the crowd with her outstanding performance.

Though he can’t wish for the love of another person, Aladdin shrewdly wishes to be a prince so he could then win the love of Princess Jasmine. After many trials and adventures along the way, he finally has his chance at love with the Princess when his wish is granted and he becomes a Prince. The problem? He wasn’t honest about his true identity, and it would, as these things always do, eventually catch up with him.

The cast of characters included special guests — Ashland District School’s Vice Principal Joel Hall, Ashland alumni Jordan Beaulier and Ashland history teacher Mark Stanley, who upon their entrance to the stage were greeted with surprise and laughter from the auditorium for their hilarious portrayal as three bachelors vying for Princess Jasmine.  Students participating in the musical were: Micayla Driscoll (Abu), Amos Ward (Aladdin), Gabrielle Cyr (Genie), Alexis Craig and Megan Cote (Guards), Kali Pelletier (Iago), Shea Craig (Jafar), Hannah Stratton (Magic Carpet), Cassandra Bolstridge, Stephanie Goulet, Brittany Harris and Rebecca Libby (Narrators), Brooke LaBelle (Jasmine), Fallyn Tardie (Raja), Rachel Gillis (Razoul), Cassidy Goulet (Sultan), and Gabrielle Carr, Amber Chasse, Kayla Cote, Alexis Flewelling, Lacey Good and Samantha Watt (Townspeople).

The stage crew included students Ally Beaulier, April Godsoe, Cassidy Goulet, Kaitlyn Henderson, Anna Paradis and Sophie Theriault.

Directors Simonoff and Ward were motivated to be involved because “they wanted to give the students the experience of being in a full blown stage musical,” said Simonoff, adding they also “wanted to give the community something to watch, enjoy and be proud of.” The play was chosen by the students last year with auditions and rehearsals starting at the beginning of this year. All the students who auditioned were offered a part, fitting the students to particular roles.

“The students practiced three to five times a week since January,” said Simonoff.

The music accompaniment was supplied by the Pit Orchestra, which included musicians Brad Jencks and Brandon Carney (percussion), Jon Simonoff (brass), Sarah Diette (keyboard), Jenna Hartung and Sean Diette (reeds). A piano score came with the play, while other instrumental parts, such as the oboe, clarinet, saxophone and percussion were arranged by Simonoff. The stage sets were artistic and beautifully designed by Ashland art educator Sue Beaulier, who received help from her art students and Mr. Simonoff’s theory class with the set painting. Tom Ward helped with the set construction. Shauna Goulet “spent hours of hard work” on the eye-catching and colorful costumes.

To say it was a group effort is an understatement, as many students, parents and school faculty were involved in some capacity. Simonoff and Ward would like to “thank everyone involved in the show. It is impossible to do something as big as a musical without the help from the students, the parents and the community. We deeply appreciate the support we have been given by the Ashland District School.”

In the end, as with all fairytales, Aladdin and Jasmine live happily ever after, but the moral of story is the most important. To be yourself and stop trying to be someone you aren’t. A lesson Aladdin had to learn the hard way, but a wise lesson for all.

Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 435-8232 or Feenhop@aol.com.