By Dan Irwin — Audra Moesta is hoping to create some magic.
And she’ll be relying on more than just a genie to do it.
Moesta is directing the New Castle Playhouse Youth Theatre production of “Aladdin Jr.,” which opens tomorrow. And while it is the job of The Genie to amaze his fellow characters on stage, Moesta believes her entire 38-member cast has the ability to do the same for folks in the seats.
“They have worked really hard, they’re doing a fabulous job,” she said of her group, members of which range in age from 8 to 18 (with a couple of adults tossed in here and there). The music is not simple music, and they’ve really tackled that and conquered that. I’m so proud of them.
“It’s Disney,” she went on, “so obviously you’re going to have the color, the excitement and the familiarity to the public, and the musical score is really great. It’s going to be a fun time.”
And The Genie’s mystical moments?
“We can’t tell you that,” Moesta said of the production’s special effects. “You’ll have to come and see all of our stage secrets. I think we do well.
“It’s a youth production, not a Disney production. If we had that budget, we could do all kinds of things. But we do make him appear, we make Jafar disappear, so there are some things going on that you definitely get the illusion that that’s happening.”
The plot of the musical, Moesta said, is the same as Disney’s “Aladdin,” as is the message: “Be yourself.”
That works well for 15-year-old Nick Kerpsack, who plays Aladdin. He sees some similarities between himself and his character.
“I’m sly, I’m slick, so just go with the flow,” he said.
Kerpsack’s stage background includes appearing in “Oliver!” at Cain Park — a summer performing arts park near Cleveland — as well as performances with Easy Street Productions at Youngstown’s Powers Auditorium. He’s also a member of the New Castle Playhouse Mini Stars and aspires to an acting career.
Aladdin, though, is one of his first lead roles, and it’s been a learning experience.
“You just learn facial expressions and things like that, ways to bring out the emotions that you know the character has in that particular scene,” he said. “I’ve learned how to do that a little bit more.”
Kenzie Palmer, who plays Jasmine, also is a Mini Stars member. The 15-year-old was introduced to the Playhouse in sixth grade at one of the theater’s Rising Star Workshops, and made her New Castle debut as Louisa in “The Sound of Music.”
Her first musical, though, was “Aladdin” at the Youngstown Playhouse.
“I was a harem girl, but I always wanted to be Jasmine after that,” she said.
She got her wish. However, the role is not without its difficult moments.
“It’s challenging to me because at the beginning of the play, she’s more stubborn and kind of headstrong,” said Palmer, who also dreams of a career on the stage. “I’m not her. That’s not my personality.
“Usually, before I go on stage, I just think of what she’s going through and I just try to put her into me.”
“Aladdin Jr.” also is a new experience for Moesta, who is directing her first youth musical. She admits to feeling her way through some of the process, but said she couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
“There were a lot of things I had to learn as I went,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot of the technical end through this process. But it was definitely worth it and satisfying.
“I’m very excited, and I’m very proud of it and really looking forward to seeing the final product.”
Entertainment
Related Photos
-
Erica Galvin
Discussion
ON STAGE: ‘Aladdin Jr.’ to make magic at Playhouse
- Entertainment
-
-
'Lincoln' leads Oscars with 12 nominations
The Civil War saga "Lincoln" leads the Academy Awards with 12 nominations, including best picture, director for Steven Spielberg and acting honors for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones.
-
DeAnna L. Shaffer, Michael Cancilla
Robert John Shaffer of 3829 Shaffer Road and Tammy Lynn Abraham of 950 Dutch Ridge Road are announcing the engagement of their daughter, DeAnna Lee Shaffer, and Michael Cancilla of Gibsonia.
-
‘Sleeping Beauty Syndrome’: New Castle native on TV today to discuss her medical condition
Nicole Delien’s mom hopes that for her daughter, 2012 will be a Christmas to remember. However, that could be a tall order. Nicole can recollect only three of the past 10 Yuletides. The 17-year-old former New Castle resident suffers from Kleine-Levin Syndrome. When an episode strikes, she will sleep between 17 and 19 hours a day for anywhere from 32 to 64 days.
-
Hey, kids! Hey, parents! Take a photo with Santa!
Hey, Parents! Hey, Kids! Want to take a photo with Santa? Then be sure to stop in at the New Castle News on Thursday, Nov. 15, just before the Light-Up Night Parade begins in the downtown.
-
Standing Room Only: City native’s film packs ’em in at local theater
Chris Pappas could not be happier with his hometown these days. The filmmaker and New Castle native known professionally as Cristos recently moved back to the area from Los Angeles so that he could make his movies here. His first effort, “Tunnel Vision,” had its local debut Friday and Saturday at the Westgate Cinemas Friday and Saturday.
-
Soap secret: Return of New Castle native Sean Kanan to ‘General Hospital’ is shrouded in mystery
Sean Kanan has a secret. The New Castle native set the daytime soap opera world abuzz in recent weeks with the announcement that he is returning to the popular ABC show, “General Hospital.” And that is where the mystery begins.
-
‘Like’ our Facebook page and win!
Are you friends with us yet on Facebook? Here’s your chance. “Like” our page now for a chance to win fantastic prizes!
-
‘Like’ our Facebook page and win!
Are you friends with us yet on Facebook? Here’s your chance. “Like” our page now for a chance to win fantastic prizes!
-
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Aug. 17, 2011
-
Haircut in China provides its challenges
Alison McNeal and her husband, John Nichols — New Castle residents and retired Slippery Rock University professors — are spending a year teaching in China. They are sharing their adventures with readers of the New Castle News.
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
