Missoula’s ‘Aladdin’ on stage Saturday

Fifty-seven area youngsters, many of whom have never been on stage before, are getting a crash course in the world of theater this week.
After five straight days of strictly regimented rehearsals, the youngsters will present the Missoula Children’s Theatre production, “Aladdin,” at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
Tickets sell for $3 for adults, $2 for children. Youngsters 4 and under are admitted free of charge.
Those expecting the traditional telling of the young Aladdin in search of a magic lamp will come away surprised, explained instructors Jessica Hall and Gabriella Cuebas.
That’s because the Missoula production brings its own unique spin on the story, complete with penguins, seven “odd ball” wonders of the world (The Leaning Tower of Pizza, for example), and of course a genie.
“It’s not your Disney ‘Aladdin,’” Hall said.
The rehearsals are designed so children, regardless of performing experience, can learn their lines and be rid of any form of stage fright by the time the curtain drops.
“It’s very structured,” Cuebas said, so much so that the youngsters are warned beforehand to not miss any days of rehearsals.
With so many youngsters involved, Hall and Cuebas split their responsibilities. Hall takes about half of the characters, Cuebas the other. The first three days, they work apart, before molding their groups together on stage for two final days of full-fledged rehearsals.
“It’s so cool to see that transition,” Cuebas said, “from them being nervous and not knowing what to do, and by the end, them being able to go on stage and able to perform for 200, 300 people.”
The local response to the audition call was so strong — more than 60 showed up — the Missoula troupe members had to send some home.
“From what I’ve heard, they hadn’t had to do that for a few years,” Hall said. “These kids have been great.”
This year’s production features thespians ranging from 6 to 14 years old.

BOTH OF the visiting directors have had plenty of experience.
Both got their start in Missoula in 2014. Hall has toured non-stop since then, to the point she’ll have been on the road for nearly a year and a half by the time her contract expires at the end of August. Cuebas toured with Missoula last summer, then returned this year.
Hall had several friends participate in Missoula in the past. They recommended she audition for a role in the children’s theater company.
“I got an interview with them, and fell in love with the company,” said Hall, 25, a Niagara Falls, N.Y., native. “It’s such a rewarding job, watching kids learn an hour-long musical in five days, it’s so awesome to watch them grow from Monday to Saturday.”
Cuebas’ introduction came a bit earlier.
A Fort Collins, Colo., native, Cuebas, 22, performed in Missoula productions as a child.
Since both had worked as directors last year, they had an opportunity to pick their partners. Their personalities clicked, so Hall and Cuebas quickly agreed to tour together this summer.
“It’s a lot of fun, because you get to experience the country,” Hall said. “I’m from New York, and never pictured myself visiting Kansas. It’s been awesome.”