Johnston, SC – A whole new world awaits fans of the Disney classic film Aladdin when another talented Strom Thurmond High School Theatre cast brings the fantastical streets and familiar personalities of Agrabah to life this weekend with the production of the musical, Aladdin, Jr.

Public shows begin Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. Shows will continue next weekend, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at https://sttheatre.ludus.com/index.php.

Strom Thurmond High School Theatre director, Steven McKinney, says this school year’s spring production will be sure to capture and delight patrons with everything held dear by fans of the beloved film, with a few surprises to be sure.

“We’re really excited about it,” stated McKinney. “There are so many good things about this show. I love the music and the way the cast is producing it and I think it’s going to be really magical.”

While he has directed Aladdin, Jr. one other time during his career, McKinney says the current show will be a totally new experience for everyone.

“The last time we did this one it was in the school cafetorium, so we had a much smaller set, and we didn’t have the props we have now,” commented McKinney. “We’re doing it on a real stage this time, so it has to be bigger and better. We’ve made some changes, good changes, based on what we experienced last time, and we’re using projections this time.”

Leading the cast are student actors who need no introduction to the Strom Thurmond High School Theatre stage; Dawson Kulp and Ella Mathis Miller, as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, Respectively.

The duo previously worked together in an outstanding collaborative performance of the lead roles in STHS Theatre’s successful fall (2023) production of Beauty and the Beast. On the strength of that performance, Dawson, now a senior, was offered a scholarship by the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, and he plans to attend the conservatory this fall.

“One of my favorite parts of the production is when Aladdin is called a street rat, and he’s not a street rat, he’s just trying to survive,” commented McKinney. “He wants to make his mom proud of him, and she’s been dead and gone for a while, but when Dawson sings the song ‘Proud of your Boy’ it’s just a touching, touching moment and Dawson does a superb job drawing into all the emotion in that song.”

The character of Jasmine offers plenty of strength and emotional range for Ella, who was also a conservatory scholarship recipient, to explore and tap into on stage.

“Jasmine has a lot of sweetness inside her, but she also has a very strong and independent personality,” added McKinney. “She does not want to have to marry these people in order to rule, but then she meets Aladdin and shows a calmness and coolness and sweet emotion. Ella does a great job portraying that. There is a lot of independence to Ella as well.”

Additional cast members include Reece Lowe (Genie), Jenasys Washington (Babkak), Mina Allen (Omar), Makayla Rushton (Kassim), Mason Toothman (Mason Toothman), Evan Williams (Jafar), Olivia O’Gorman (Iago), Shamarion Freeman (Shop Owner), Kersten Skinner (Razoul), Jericka Jones (Guard 1), Klara Rachau (Guard 2), Riley Brightharp (Beggar 1), Gillian O’Gorman (Beggar 2), Truman Massey (Beggar 3), Hannah Jane Dyches (Apple Vendor), Erin Williams (Fortune Teller), Jayden Augustin (Attendant 1), Dallas Norris (Attendant 2), Nate Millings (Prince Abdullah), Sunaisia Saxon (Isir), Molly Harling (Manal), Natalie Dolph (Rajah), Jayden Smith (Spooky Voice), Erin Williams (Soloist 1), Hannah Dyches (Soloist 2) and Breylie Hodson (Soloist 3). Students performing as the residents of Agrabah include Kaylee Hallman, Zemira Wakefield, Aundria Davis, Mary Ann Bunch, Peyton Gregory, Mirayah Clarke, Jayden Smith, Lindy O’Sullivan, Dylan Rose, Mariah Norris and Tatiana Grant.