The Oil Region Ballet has spent a year preparing for its production of “The Tale of Aladdin and the Magical Lamp.”
The ballet’s adaptation of the classic tale opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin. Two other performances are scheduled for 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24.
Then the show will hit the road and head for the Academy Theatre in Meadville for its final showing of “Aladdin.” The Meadville shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3.
Before each matinee performance audience members have an opportunity to “meet and greet” the dancers in costume and have a photo taken with the ballet’s cast between 1:30 and 1:45 p.m. People may come dressed as their favorite fairytale character.
“Deborah Femovich, the Oil Region Ballet artistic director and choreographer, has done it once again, setting the bar particularly high with her creative flair on the classics,” said assistant artistic director and choreographer Taryn Frey Misner.
Audience members will be swept away the Middle East for “The Tale of Aladdin and the Magical Lamp.”
The production is geared up with a new plot twist, magical objects and lively beasts, one in particular, a mischievous monkey and his adventurous sidekick. They are up to their usual shenanigans, when a mysterious woman arrives. She has convinced the young Aladdin and his mother that she will take him on a journey that promises riches and all the comforts lacking. Along the path, they happen upon a magical duo, who can see what Aladdin cannot. Further into the land, there is a procession of marvelous creatures who demand attention. During such procession, during a brief mishap, the princess of the land tumbles from her chariot. Whatever will happen to the young princess and the rambunctious gentleman after they cross paths? Audience members will find out Feb. 23-24.
Seagartown’s Sydney Davis will be dancing the elegant princess, while Eli Skelton of Kansas, who attends Allegheny College, will portray the adventurous Aladdin. And the mischievous monkey is brought to life by Cochranton’s Grace Morrell. Special guest Brian Murphy of Akron, Ohio, will be joining as part of the Genie duo with Kinsey Waite of Meadville.
“Of course, none of The Oil Region Ballet productions would be possible without the help of many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy each year to ensure every last detail is covered,” Frey Misner said.
The behind-the-scenes board includes Kinta Alizzeo, Mary Edwards, Femovich, Misner, Michele Howard, Robyn Guth, Cheryl Leech, Geneva Maleski, Heather McCandless, Nicole Morrell, Todd
Plowman and Shelly Winters.
At the heart of every show are the performers who bring the characters to life onstage. The returning Corps de Ballet includes Maya Alizzeo (Meadville), Baylee Cutchall (Franklin), Megan Davis
(Saegertown), Sydney Davis (Saegertown), Lily Dunn (Grove City), Rachel Howard (Clarion), Danielle Guth (Franklin), Kinsey Grant Waite (Meadville), Gabriella Keebler (Titusville), Justus Lind (Franklin), Kyran Miller (Cochranton), Kylie Moore (Meadville), Carleigh Murphy (Meadville),Grace Morrell (Cochranton), Skylar Morrell (Cochranton), Maddi Phillips (Franklin), Marissa Powell
(Meadville), Noelle Raszman (Titusville), MaKenna Reavis (Franklin), Eli Skelton (Kansas/ Meadville) and Halle Plowman (Franklin).
Joining the stage as first year dancers are Rosalynne Ferraro (Franklin), Mikki Joshua (Meadville), Lissa Murphy (Meadville) and Skylar Shields (Franklin).
The production staff includes lighting engineer Gary Dittman, specialty lighting Kent Zacherl, lighting assistant Todd Plowman, stage manager Joyce Dittman.
Members of the stage crew are Kelly Dunn, Michael Moore, James Reavis, Matt Murphy, Kirk Raszman, Heather Davis and Jason Dunn.
The costume mistress was Tina Borger. Costume construction was done by Femovich, Tina Borger, Jenna Ronchi and Nanette Hiles. Femovich also handled the scenic design.
Lori Hart was the scenic art engineer. Scenic painters included Chrissy Powell, Nicole Morrell, Betty Waite, Elise O’Connell and Todd Plowman.
Kirk Raszman was the head of set contruction with the crew consisting of Todd Plowman, Michael Moore, Matt Murphy, Carl Miller and James Reavis.
Sound design was done by Femovich and the sound engineer was Kent Zacherl.
Hector Santos and Tierney Femovich provided graphic design. Photographers included April Raszman, Gary Stone, Taylor Kendzior and Greg Mizak.
Greg Mizak was the videographer and Sara Hargreaves was the grant writer.
Tickets for the Barrow-Civic shows are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students. They are available by calling 437-3440 or online at www.barrowtheatre.com.
