The most elaborate production of Disney’s Aladdin to date locally has got to be from The Hurrah Players.  This staged version of the original movie, includes the familiar songs, characters, and costumes presented by (as one of the bios states it) the “Hurrah-fia”.  While there are no surprises, it is a cute show and good family entertainment. 

Aladdin could be a technical nightmare - there are numerous, elaborate locations, stylized costumes including a bird and genie, and then there’s the flying carpet.  Hurrah successfully, if not as flashily as some other of their productions, manages to meet them.  The set is made of backdrops with a few bits of furniture and vendors carts rolling on as needed.  Simple, but effective. 

The most elaborate and impressive tech however, is not the flying from ZFX, Inc., but the costume design by Lynn Bianco and Anne Hilton.  They captured all the details from the original movie, and made the ensemble players blend in seamlessly.  They costumed a monkey, parrot, and a genie that has to have room for a flying harness underneath a body suit and clothes. 

As for the flying, with forgiveness for the technical goofs that do happen now and then, it was over-advertised and under-utilized.  It seems any scene where flying occurs, that’s all that we’re supposed to look at.  Granted, a few times, that’s all there is on stage; however, there’s lots of obvious stage set up for everyone on stage to watch the launching.  I was also a little disappointed that during “A Whole New World” nothing really happened except the carpet swung back and forth for five minutes.  Still, logistically, the flying is effective, and I have to wonder how to do those scenes without it.

The large ensemble that is the Hurrah family is well used in the scenes, particularly chases and market scenes.  There’s some nice doubling and good group reactions.  Quentin Araujo is cute as Abu, but isn’t really given anything to do.  Narrators Schuyler Midgett and Caroline Geroe navigate the awkwardly written lines quite well, and nicely execute their dances.  Isabel Tamouro is loud, brash, and sqwakish, an excellent portrayal of Iago the parrot, especially as a fifth grader.  J.R. Caldwell’s Sultan is a giddy creature, with good energy. 

Brian Sheridan as the Genie had no small task with the daunting performance of Robin Williams memorized in the minds of the audience. 

Sheridan comes off refreshingly as more Mel Brooks

Jasmine was played by Kitty Geroe with as much feminist power as the script allows.  Her singing is fine and she moves through her paces without problems.

A.J. LeMay’s Aladdin spends most of the time running in circles on stage, being chased, flown, and out of breath.  LeMay grins his way through the workout and delivers the physical performance of a Disney pro.  His ad-libs and enthusiasm hold the scenes together. 

The strongest character, and the most fun to watch is Jafar.

While not Hurrah’s strongest mainstage venture, your kids (who already know the show) will have fun, as will you.

Aladdin plays through March 25 at the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center. Call (757) 627-5437 for tickets.