Sterling Boulevard: Putting on a Show

 Most kids do camp during the summer—swimming, martial arts, or maybe soccer. But 50 kids from Sterling and the surrounding areas did something a little different. They put on a show.

Funded by a $5,000 grant from the Northern Virginia Community Foundation, the Sterling Playmakers staged an all-kid production of Aladdin, Jr.--an scaled back adaption of the Disney movie specifically designed for children's theatre.

Playing July 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at Sterling Middle School, you can see Aladdin, Jasmine, and the genie battle the evil Jafar. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., with matinées on Saturday, July 18, and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Admission is just $5, so it's affordable (and enjoyable) for the entire family.

When auditions opened, 122 kids showed up to compete for only 50 spots. For three weeks, from 9a.m. - 3p.m., the kids, ages 8-17, rehearsed, danced, and sung under the mentoring eye of Director Kathleen Bleutge and an all-volunteer staff, including a choreographer, a voice coach, a stage manager, and a costumer.

Not only did the kids get to see a production from start to stardom, but they also formed friendships that will far outlast the closing curtain. But the production did have some snags that had to be overcome.

“The two biggest challenges were the flying carpet and the genie coming out of the lamp,” says Bleutge.

The first was solved by casting two kids (and some dowels) to be the carpet. As for how they solved the genie problem...well, you'll just have to come out and see.

For tickets or for more information, visit www.sterlingplaymakers.com