July 23, 2019
Spotlight was excited to take some time to talk with the our very own PYT Executive Director, Karen Simpson, who is ALSO the director AND set designer for PYT’s summer MainStage production – Aladdin Jr. “Aladdin” opens Thursday, July 24th and runs through Sunday, July 28th.
Karen, you are wearing two hats for this production? That’s a lot of magic you have to do! What made you decide to take these jobs on?
I have designed the set for the summer teen show in SecondStage for the past several years, and it is typically one of the highlights of my year. This year, however, I was slated to co-direct “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” with Meg Fischer Venuti (because it is one of my favorite shows), so we asked Lynn Grant in to design this one. When the original director for “Aladdin” had to back out, it made more sense for one of us to step in and direct that show. Plus, I also love “Aladdin” – it’s one of my favorite Disney movies! I was not originally planning on designing it, but as I started working on it the concept for how I wanted the set was very clear. Since I have a design background, it was almost easier to do it myself then try to express what I was looking for to another designer.
Karen (in rainbow shirt) in rehearsal – part of set in background
Karen with her team at rehearsal
What’s your favorite part or the most challenging part about directing a show and designing a set at the same time?
There are pros and cons to directing and designing at the same time. The big pro is I know exactly what I want and how I’m going to use it. I can make decisions about the set that would impact the director without having to discuss and negotiate. The big con is that it is a LOT of work to do both. In the perfect world, I would have had a little more time in advance when I knew I was doing both, but we have such a phenomenal team on “Aladdin Jr.” – Rick Van Mell is our Technical Designer and he and I work very well together, Andy Breithaupt is such a talented scenic artist and Giada Conti is an amazingly talented artist working on props. They made it much easier than it would have been otherwise.
Karen and Jenn the choreographer working through a number
Aladdin Jr. set under construction
Ani as “The Genie” in Aladdin Jr.
Beatrice in rehearsal
The Magic Lamp cast of “Aladdin Jr.” in rehearsal
PYT is offering a young actor’s ensemble opportunity. What’s it like to work with 5 – 7 year olds and how will they be incorporated into the production? Do you think this is something PYT will offer for future shows?
I absolutely love working with the young performers! They are in three numbers in the show, doing choreography and using props and they are just so adorable. I think we will absolutely do it again – maybe only in the summer, as the schedule is a little hard to accommodate during the school year.
Young Performers group in action!
Ta da! Young Performers in rehearsal
What do you hope your actors will learn in participating in this production?
I hope that everyone who works on this show knows a little bit more about building a character when the show is over. All of the actors were assigned a character sheet to work on, to figure out more information about their character’s backstory, and I think it is one of the best things I have ever done. I have enjoyed reading them so much – learning about how the snake ended up charmed in the Agrabah market place, how Aladdin’s friends ended up orphans on the streets, why Razoul the guard loathes Aladdin…It’s like a play within a play!
Why should audiences come to see Aladdin?
People should come to see Aladdin Jr. because it is going to be FUN. This show is non-stop musical numbers and excitement, including magic and mystery and loads of giant, big, blockbuster numbers. I would not hesitate to bring young children because the show moves quickly and there is a lot to see!
Thanks Karen! It sounds magical! Break-a-leg to the
cast and
everyone else involved with “Aladdin Jr.”.
Get your tickets now to take a magic carpet ride with Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, The Genie and all their friends in Agrabah.
Both casts are phenomenal. All performances are at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Dates are:
- Thursday, July 25 @ 6:30 pm
- Friday, July 26 @ 6:30 pm
- Saturday, July 27 @ 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm
- Sunday, July 28 @ 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.
By Barbie Koch
Photos by Barbie Koch and Mike Cobb
Date posted: July 23, 2019
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The Magic of Karen Simpson!
