Youth theater gets ready for a magic carpet ride
The kids pose at the end of Arabian Nights. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Long, Lazaro and Deher practice kicks. 
Deher shows the dance sequence. 
Kids practice the choreography.
The kids pose at the end of Arabian Nights. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Long, Lazaro and Deher practice kicks.
Deher shows the dance sequence.
Kids practice the choreography.
The practice room for Take a Bow Youth Theater Group was filled with excited screaming, kids practicing their choreography and songs and eventually the harmonizing of the big number “Arabian Nights” for the production of Aladin Jr.
This will be the eleventh production put on by the group. It was started by Marianne Oien, the co-director and musician director. She was a music teacher, and once she retired decided to start her own theater company. She now runs the program with Michele Dreher, the co-director and choreography director.
“A cartwheel here, a little speaking part there,” said Oien, “Get them on stage as much as possible.”
With the performance weeks away, many of the kids stated that they feel ready to perform, and while they are nervous they are very excited.
“I’m honestly really excited, you get nervous but once you’re on stage everything flows perfectly and always becomes a perfect production,” said Giuliana Ginoa, 13 from Dartmouth, who plays Jasmine.
The group is close knit, with parents building the props and grandparents doing costumes. One of Oien’s friends from teaching helps out with designing and creating the costumes.
One part most kids agreed on is that this program gives them an opportunity to make friends, and that everyone is nice and supportive of each other.
“I really like it because everyone is so kind and I have a lot of friends from here,” said Liam Sousa, 10 from Dartmouth, who plays Iago.
The musical features nine kids; Ginoa, Julian Lazaro (13 from Dartmouth) as Aladdin, Charlie Long (13 from Dartmouth) as the Genie, Owen Lenox (12 from Westport) as Kassem, London Lavallee (12 from Fairhaven) as Omar, Ava Southworth (11 from Dartmouth) as Jafar, Sousa, Grasyon Gildae (10 from Acushnet Island) as Babkak and Matthew Oien (11 from Marion) as the Sultan.
Many of them are excited to sing their favorite songs; Long’s is “Friend Like Me,” Lenox’s and Lavalle’s is “High Adventure,” Sousa’s is “Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim” and Gino's is both “Palace Walls” and "Arabian Nights.” Lazaro just enjoys singing and did not mention a specific song.
Others are excited about the energy of the show, such Gildae loves the dancing and Oien enjoys that it's action-packed. Southworth enjoys the last scene with her character (which would be spoilers to say.)
“Overall, it’s a good play. It’s funny, it has it’s quirky bits, it’s action packed which I like,” said Oien.
Aladdin Jr., will have performances on Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. both days and 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Westport Middle-High School. Tickets are available online.
