For the cast of High Tech High School’s Musical Theatre Department, it’s important that their upcoming performance of “Aladdin” sends children a message.
“For me, the message is to be true to yourself,” said senior Olivia Peralta of Hoboken, whose 8-year-old twin sisters will be in the audience. “For people throughout the story, you see how lies end up with bigger lies. If you’re just honest and true to yourself, everything will be okay in its own way.”
Music Theater Director Alex Perez said, “We decided that after a couple of years of darker mature musicals, with ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Dracula,’ it was time to lighten it up a little bit.” He said Aladdin is a family musical, but that beneath the layers it also tells a story that adults can appreciate.
“We are going to reach another part of the public, little kids.” – Andres Martinez
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Around 50 students will perform in the show, along with a 12-member band. Music Director Rod Shepard and his students have researched “interesting sounds,” including new instruments like the sitar.
Disney’s “Aladdin” is only licensable to high schools, said Perez, who explained that the show has never made a “Broadway” debut.
Finding yourself
North Bergen resident Andres Martinez, a junior at High Tech who plays Aladdin, said that he likes his role because it’s is very close to himself, a teenager with both an adventurous and serious streak.
He too said the show is both “superficial and non-superficial.” Children may see it one way, while adults will view it another.
“In our society, sometimes we encounter moments where it’s very one-track-minded,” said Kevin Tobon, a senior taking on the role of the Genie. “You have to follow this way of living. We’re here trying to show to other kids there are other types of culture besides the ones that we live in our daily routine.”
Perez also finds it important that multiculturalism is present and is even having a professional Arabian belly dancer come in for a few sessions with the actors.
“The current stigma of us-vs.-them mentality that’s been developed over the last couple of years, with just Americans and Middle Eastern Countries, I think it’s just interesting to do something that takes place right in the middle of it all, to open up people’s minds about accepting people and culture.” said Perez.
Rediscovering childhood
Most of the students in the production grew up with “Aladdin.”
Tobon said he remembered how “crazy” the Genie was as a child and is excited to have the opportunity to play one of his favorite childhood cartoon characters.
Peralta said she idolized Jasmine as a child and that it was a surreal moment to get the part. She said she was trying to take inspiration from real Arabian princesses as well, for her role to be more realistic.
“They may be the first show [some children] actually have a theatre experience,” said Perez. “It’s just a big honor to be a part of that. I think no one ever forgets when they go out to see theatre for the first time.”
Perez said this production is about rediscovering the innocence of childhood.
“We are going to reach another part of the public, little kids,” said Martinez. “It is exciting.”
Performances will be Thursday through Saturday, from March 11-13 and March 18-20, at 7 p.m. There will be 2 p.m. matinee shows on Saturday. Tickets are $15 and there is a discount for school groups. For more information call Alex Perez at (201) 662-6800 at ext. 8241.