Fantasia Showstoppers: Aladdin - Review By Annalise Pittman

Fantasia Showstoppers has done it again, bringing beloved Disney stories to life with vibrant energy, memorable songs, and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. This production offers a great introduction for children to the world of musicals. At just an hour long and with an abundance of fun musical numbers this production offers a great opportunity for families to enjoy theatre together. 

Director Jake Elston, Music Director David Catterall and Choreographer Romina Cavagnolla have guided a stellar cast to a successful production. As Genie Alana Kenn burst onto the stage to open the show with charisma and huge talent. Her voice commanded the stage and she had a presence that the role of Genie demands. Her playful humour had the audience laughing throughout. Zion Lallana took the role of Aladdin and made it his own. His wit and personality shone through, topped only by his amazing singing voice. As Jasmine Ebony Penmen brought a female strength to the role that was lacking in the film, showing that she doesn’t need a man to look after her! Both Aladdin and Jasmine had an authentic, on stage chemistry that brought much loved songs like ‘A Whole New World’ to life.

It always amazes me when watching Jr productions how skillful the young performers are and this production was no exception. The featured cast had such talent, it was a joy to watch. Arianna Yip as Babkak, Declan Ferrao as Omar and Summer Allen as Kassim had impeccable comedic timing and charm. The disappointment of there being no Abu character evaporated quickly with the addition of these young actors. 

It wouldn’t be a production of Aladdin without Jafar and Iago. Cameron Clarke as Jafar and Henry Cassim as Iago were scene-stealers in this Aladdin Jr. production, adding a perfect balance of villainy and humour to the show. Jafar was portrayed with an air of sinister sophistication, fully embracing his role as the power-hungry villain. Iago, Jafar’s loyal but reluctant sidekick, was another highlight. Henry Cassim brought fantastic comedic timing and expression, delivering Iago’s witty one-liners and sarcastic remarks with flair.

The set design creatively breathed life into the city of Agrabah through the use of colour, lights and movement. There were a few opening night hiccups in staging movements, but these will be ironed out as the production continues. The amazing dance numbers were sometimes slightly hindered by the size of the stage and staging constraints. The costuming kept all eyes on the stage with colour and sparkles. 

Overall, Aladdin Jr. was a vibrant, heartwarming, and fun-filled performance that captured the heart of Disney magic on a smaller scale. It was a fantastic introduction to musical theatre for young performers and a nostalgic treat for Disney fans, leaving the audience cheering and humming the tunes as they left the theatre.