For Immediate Release: January 31, 2006
Media Contact: Marc S. Goldberg, Storybook Musical Theatre, 215.659.8550

Storybook Musical Theatre, the Abington-based professional, Equity, children's theater company, will present an original adaptation of the classic Arabian Nights tale "Aladdin.." The story tells of a poor, urchin boy who leaves home to seek his fortune and discovers an enchanted lamp with an accompanying genie, who grants him three magical wishes. It plays from February 28 to March 12 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Rd, Bryn Athyn, PA. (Huntingdon Valley). Tickets are $10.00 for children and $12.00 for adults. For reservations or more information call: 215-659-8550.

Storybook's Artistic Director, Patricia Goldberg has adapted the book with original music by composer Kevin Arruda. In this well-known story, the idealistic hero gets conned into finding an enchanted lamp by an evil magician. When the magician, and his bumbling sidekick, leave Aladdin in the lurch, he finds a little luck in the form of the Genie of the lamp who helps him out of the jam. The evil magician continues his plot to gain control of the throne away from the Sultan and capture the heart of the Sultan's daughter, Princess Sapphira. But the wise Princess, with the help of Aladdin and the Genie, have their own plans. Follow the excitement and adventure as the trio take on the magician and save the kingdom.

Storybook has gathered six talented, local, professional actors for their cast:

In the title role of Aladdin is Scott Raneri. He is making his Storybook debut in "Aladdin." Local credits include appearances at the Walnut St. Theater in a "A Christmas Carol" and at Gretna Theater in "The Fantasticks", "A Grand Night for Singing" and The Robber Bridegroom". Other credits include "A Little Night Music" at Orlando Shakespeare Festival and "Meet Me in St. Louis" at the Golden Apple Dinner Theater. In addition, he is a trained classical singer.

Aileen Goldberg, of Wilmington DE, , is the smart and beautiful Princess Sapphira, who falls for Aladdin. Aileen has been seen in Storybook productions of "Beauty and the Beast", "Prince and the Pauper," "Wizard of Oz," and "Alice in Wonderland." Other credits include "West Side Story", Bye, Bye Birdie", and "Damn Yankees" at Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater, "We the People" at American Family Theater and "Carousel" at the Tisch School for the Arts in New York.

David Mulholland, of Bristol, PA. takes on the role of the unsavory magician. David, a Storybook regular, was last seen on Storybook's stage as the Ogre in "Jack and the Beanstalk." Other Storybook credits include "Pinocchio," "Elves and the Shoemaker," "Wizard of Oz," "Princess and the Pea," "Emperor's New Clothes," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Robin Hood. Regional credits include: "Tuesdays with Morrie" at Act Out Theater, "Only A Girl" with Lightkeeper Productions, "Our Town" at Delaware Theater Company and "The Snow Queen" at the Prince Theater.

The Sultan is played by Dana Schmidt, of Jenkintown, PA. Also a Storybook regular, Dana was last seen as Geppetto in "Pinocchio." Other Storybook credits include "Elves and the Shoemaker," "Beauty and the Beast," "Rapunzel," "Frog Prince," "Emperor's New Clothes," and many more. When not acting he is an auctioneer and deals in antiques and collectibles.

The magician's bumbling sidekick is played by another Storybook favorite, Faith Sherman, of Dublin, PA. Faith was just seen as Gertrude in "Jack and the Beanstalk." She was seen last season as Katrina the Cat in "Pinocchio," several miners in "Snow White" and one of Beauty's sisters in "Beauty and the Beast." Other Storybook credits include: "Wizard of Oz," "Rapunzel," "Emperor's New Clothes," "Princess and the Pea," just to name a few. In addition, Faith is an Artist/Teacher with Storybook's literacy, "Page to Stage" outreach program.

The magical Genie of the lamp is played by Peyton Dixon, of Wilmington. Previous Storybook credits include "pinocchio" last season. Other regional credits: "dame Yankee," "Footloose," "Bye, Bye Birdie," and "Killer Cusisine," which also wrote and directed at Three Little Bakers' Dinner Thater. Other credits: "1776" at Lenape Regional Theater, "Funny Thing Happened...," at Jenny Wiley Theater and "Schoolhouse Rock" at Candlelight Dinner Theater.

Children's tickets are $10.00, Adults are $12.00 with generous school/group discounts available. Show times are Tuesday to Friday at 10:15 am, Saturday at 11 am. and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Some shows are sold-out, please call for availability.

All Storybook productions are appropriate for ages 3 and older. After each performance, as always, everyone will have the opportunity to meet the characters for a hand shake, pictures, or an autograph. For information, reservations or directions, call the box office at 215-659-8550 or check Storybook's web site at: www.storybookmusical.org.

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