Northern Virginia Players Presents Aladdin

The Northern Virginia Players present the musical Aladdin Jr. at for four performances over two weekends, Jan. 13 - 14 and 20 - 21.  Each show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Aladdin features 49 actors, ages 7 – 18, from Northern Virginia and D.C.   All actors are in each show, but the major parts are divided between two casts. 

In cast two, Victoria Klimkowski of Springfield plays Jasmine, Justin Grose of Burke plays Jafar, and Lauren Jacobs of Springfield plays Iago. 

In addition, four students and two recent graduates are show techs.

The local theatre troupe is unique in that all members are home schooled, and it’s the only home school troupe producing musicals in Fairfax County. 

Directors Ann Eul and Kate Wittig met while working for Young People’s Theatre in Woodbridge.  When that company disbanded at the director’s retirement, Eul and Wittig started Northern Virginia Players.  This is the group’s third show.  Their previous shows were Willy Wonka Jr. (January 2011) and Once Upon a Mattress (May 2011).

Wittig is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University, U.K., with a degree in Theater, Creative Writing and Art.

For the past nine years, Eul has co-directed, produced and served as music director for 16 productions.

Both directors say the troupe provides more than performance opportunities.  “Many of our actors use the performances as part of their curriculum and credit,” said Eul.  “We are committed to doing great shows and teaching the kids theatre techniques.”  In addition, a focus on building confidence and teamwork are important in the troupe.

“We’re in the process of getting our 501 (c) 3 status, and looking for corporate sponsorship,” said Eul.  “We appreciate churches allowing us use of their facilities, but we’re not their mission.  We need a home base,” she said.

Tickets for Aladdin are available online for $10 general admission, or for $12 (cash, checks only) at the door.

The actors, their Aladdin parts, and their hometown are:

Burke
Hannah Grose - Narrator
Holly Grose - Harem Girl
Justin Grose – Jafar, Cast 2
Anneliese Hughes - Narrator

Springfield
Kelly Barry - Company
Mikey Barry – Guard
Lauren Jacobs- Iago, Cast 2
Victoria Klimkowski - Jasmine, Cast 2
Jessica Spinello – Company
Jenny Twaddell - Narrator
Jacob Twaddell - Guard

Alexandria
Melissa Knap – Company
Morgan Nielsen - Company
Siobhan Thompson - Harem Girl

Arlington
Ricky Bew – Aladdin, Cast 2

Clifton
Adam Tomlin - Guard
Fairfax Station
Jordan Post - Magic Carpet, Cast 2
Spencer Post - Guard
Elizabeth Wittig - Genie, Cast 2
Gareth Wittig - Company
Gwyneth Wittig - Abu, Cast 1
Jeremy Wittig - Razoul, Cast 2
Sarah Wittig - Narrator

Ft. Belvoir
DeeAnn Costello - Narrator
Sarah Emig - Iago, Cast 1
Andrew Meece - Narrator
Faith MacGregor - Magic Carpet, Cast 1
Laura MacGregor - Narrator
Hannah MacGregor - Jasmine, Cast 1
Sarah Smith - Harem Girl
Chanel Sierra-Davidson - Narrator

Kingstowne
Bianca Guzman - Company

Lorton
Hannah Miller - Harem Girl
Josh Rose - Jafar, Cast 1

Triangle
Charlie Porter - Sultan
Colleen Porter - Narrator
Robbie Porter - Company
Andrew Rolle - Company
Grace Rolle - Harem Girl

Washington D.C.
DJ Stanton - Genie, Cast 1
Reilly Stanton - Aladdin, Cast 1

Woodbridge
Emily Paumen - Harem Girl
AJ Suess - Guard
Anna Suess - Company
Anthony Suess – Narrator
Abigail Yoho - Narrator
Elizabeth Yoho - Abu, Cast 2