By Sean Patrick Murphy
It’s time for Mount Laurel’s Ryan Kiernan to shine.
The 14 year-old is the star of an upcoming production of Disney’s “Aladdin, Jr.” which will be performed at Mainstage Center for the Arts’ Dennis Flyer Theatre in Blackwood from July 20 to July 22.
Kiernan is entering tenth grade at Lenape High School.
Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults.
“At Summer Stage everyone who wants to try for a role auditions and then if the directors have you in mind for a role, you get a callback and have to read for the roles,” Kiernan said. “And on the first day of Summer Stage we get separated into casts then find out the roles we got once were all situated.
“I was so happy,” he added.
Kiernan said he has been involved in theater for six years.
“I would love to be able to be perform on Broadway if I ever get the chance,” he said. “And hopefully I can receive my training at a great theater school such as NYU or Carnegie Mellon or Rutgers.
“But if I never make it I would love to be a music teacher at various schools, Kiernan continued.
And his family has his back.
“My family is amazingly supportive with all my shenanigans,” Kiernan said. “They bring me to each rehearsal, voice lesson, and dance class and they never miss a performance.
“I’m so lucky that they’re able to do all of that for me,” he added.
Kiernan said Mainstage and Summer Stage make him happy.
“See, at Summer Stage everyone is just one huge family,” he said. “We all care deeply for each other which is a nice change from school during the year.”
Kiernan said he is also involved in the Harmony Show Choir at Mainstage.
“So, I would definitely say that Mainstage and Summer Stage offer kids all kinds of opportunities that they will not find elsewhere,” he said.
Kiernan counts the staff of Summer Stage as one of his greatest influences.
“They always have a smile on their faces and always brighten everybody’s day,” he said. “But I also look up to great performers such as Sutton Foster, John Gallagher Jr., and Kristen Chenoweth.
“These performers always go all out on stage and are always willing to take risks, which I think is admirable,” Kiernan added. “If you are interested in theater, do as much as you can because the more you practice, the more you get better and grow as a performer.”
“Aladdin, Jr.” is sponsored by Bowman & Company LLC.
The production, directed by Shaun Leavey of Berlin, brings a favorite Disney movie to life, but in a shorter version, designed to engage even the youngest audience members.
The story is enhanced by the Academy award-winning musical score written by Howard Ashman, Alan Menken, and Tim Rice including “Friend Like Me,” “Prince Ali,” and “Whole New World.”
“Aladdin, Jr.” also features an entertaining ensemble of more than 50 local students.
This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is also made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.
“Aladdin, Jr.” runs Wednesday, July 20 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, July 21 and 22, 10:30 a.m. in the newly-renovated, fully accessible Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, Blackwood.
The Thursday morning show features sign interpretation.
The Friday morning performance is part of MCA’s “Family Fun Fridays,” where for a nominal fee, children can make an “Aladdin, Jr.” themed craft project from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Following this performance, the audience may meet cast members in the courtyard on the left side of Lincoln Hall.
To purchase tickets visit www.mainstage.org or call (856) 227–3091
