We are proud to announce the newly chosen cast for the upcoming production of Disney’s Aladdin, Jr., that will be presented by the Penguin Project artists and their mentors. The production will run February 11 and 12, 2017, but rehearsals are already under way in the Callaway Theater. Jasmine, Aladdin, the Genie and more will be here in Disney’s Aladdin, Jr., a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.

The Penguin Project, a program whose primary purpose is to give “artists” with disabilities experience with stage and theatre performances, along with their “mentors” who shadow and help them throughout the rehearsals and during the play production. Penguin Project Founder/Director Dr. Andrew Morgan of Peoria, Illinois, a developmental pediatrician, has been actively involved in community theatre for over 30 years as a director and as a performer, and he created The Penguin Project to combine his professional expertise with his passion for theatre to give students with disabilities an opportunity to experience the performing arts.

El Dorado’s first Penguin Project production will showcase the talents of these special artists; Aladdin will be played by Christian Cotton, Jasmine will be played by Caitlin Stanley, the Genie will be portrayed by Blake Goff, and Holland Ruff will play Jafar. DJ Jones will play the Sultan and Will Colvin will play Iago.

Narrator 1 and Royal Guard will be played by Demetrius Williams, Narrator 2 and Prince Dahdu Rahn Rahn will be played by Michael Raborn, Narrator 3 will be played by Miracle McElroy, Narrator 4 will be played by Tiffani Bagshaw, and Narrator 5 will be played by Kaila Storey.

Ellis Lyles will portray Razoul, Alex Kemp will play Baker and Guard 2, Precious Barker will play the Flying Carpet. Carl White will play Guard 1 and Prince- formerly known as the Artist, LaRon Lloyd will portray Prince Baba of Ganoush, Lisa Irwin will play the Matron and Solo 1, Kelsey Allen will play a Marketplace Girl and Solo2. The Marketplace girls will be Marcie Reynolds, Staci Mitchell, Bailey Ogle and Kelsey Allen.

Also on stage during the production will be the “Mentors”, one with each special needs artist. They will be a shadow, so to speak, for the artist, making every step and move with them. The dedicated mentors for this performance will be Cole Albritten, Honor Cotton, Jackson Crossland, Sydney Crossland, Abbey Denson, Josie Denson, Abbey Williams, Emily Williams, Nolan Williams, Kirsten Wooten and Anna Kate Youngblood.

For more information or to get involved with this special production, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474