The glitz and glamour you would see on Broadway will be present in Leroy tonight as the Leroy School presents Aladdin Jr.
A lot of work has gone into the production, says Director Danielle Bilodeau who teaches at Leroy School. She says after a decision was made to go ahead with the performance in September, inside of the PAA (Practical Applied Art) classes, students would spend an hour every second day working on set design, costume design, practicing choreography and music.
After Christmas, the practice schedule intensified with rehearsals during the noon hour.
There are 18 cast members of the musical along with other students filling roles with the backstage crew, with students ranging from Grade 7-12.
Throughout her 18 years teaching at Leroy School, Bilodeau, the school has participated in several productions and has recently performed a few musicals including Grease, Elf and last year the Little Mermaid.
Bilodeau noted with the students’ talent, they decided to have at least one more musical production.
“We do have some great actors and singers in our senior classes, so I decided we got to do another year so that we can get these kids involved in something they love to do.”
With only a trio of vocally trained students, Bilodeau says the rest of students have blossomed stepping outside of their usual comfort zone.
“Everyone is singing in this,” she said, “that takes a lot of courage and a lot of confidence to be able to get up on stage and sing these songs and learn like they are, they are doing incredible. Our non-singers are coming out of their shell and you’re seeing a whole different change.”
Bilodeau says the musical will feature choreography moments that will allow for some audience participation, adding the show will be three dimensional.
The set design will be a highlight, says Bilodeau, noting that there will be a life-sized painted elephant in the production.
There will also be some special effects during the production that will be on display with the appearance of the genie on stage.
Doors will open for tonight’s show at 6:30 inside the Leroy School Gymnasium. The curtain will lift at 7:00. Included in the admission will be a dessert along with either coffee or tea