Submitted photosKassim (Duke Davis), Babkak (Aaron Sherman) and Omar (Noah Brand) make their plans in unison in avoiding the palace guards. It’s a part of the action in Meridian Community College’s Arts & Letters Series production of Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” The musical opens to the public on Thursday at 7 p.m.

With magic carpet and lamp

Get ready for a fun-filled ride when Meridian Community College’s Arts & Letters Series presents Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.“ on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in the College’s McCain Theater.

Curtain is at 7 p.m. for the Thursday and Saturday shows while the Sept. 30 production begins at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students.

MCC brings Disney magic to the stage as the favorite songs from the 1992 Academy Award-winning film are joined by a new book. The charming beggar Aladdin, along with his three friends Babkak, Omar and Kassim, stay one jump ahead of the palace guards as they make their living on the streets.

Their luck changes for the better when Aladdin discovers a real magic lamp – and a real genie to go with it. Aladdin wishes to become a prince to win the heart of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, but struggles with the responsibility of someday becoming Sultan.

With the help of his friends (and his all-powerful genie), Aladdin discovers that true worth lies within. With a heart-warming story and electric songs, your entire family is just one magic carpet ride away from a whole new world.

MCC Arts & Letters Series Director Dr. Todd Brand noted there are 46 youths – 23 leads and 23 choral students in this first production of this season. “The kids are very excited. For a lot of them, this is their first time on the stage,” he said.

Rehearsals have been underway for eight weeks “and have been going well,” Brand said. “This is one of my favorite groups … they have won me over,” he added.

Actors include Rachel Thaggard, Genie; Patrick Martin, Aladdin; Aaron Sherman, Babkak; Noah Brand, Omar; Duke Davis, Kassim; Piper Gonzalez, Jasmine; Marcus Boyd, Sultan; Maggie Freeman, Jafar; Rie Talley, Iago; Abby Carraway, Shop Owner; Shawn Cosby, Razoul; Shelbie Robison and Daylon Horton, Guards; Edi Smith, Kinsey George and Cooper Richardson, Beggars; Jillian Goodman, Apple Vendor; Sydney Stokes, Ananya Mantri, Attendants; Hunter Jarman, Prince Abdullah; Ashleigh Wasson, Isir; Arlyn Grace Sanders, Manal, and Hannah Dover, Rajah.

Choral members are Stella Blalack, Emmy Culpepper, Haylee Culpepper, Jordan Culpepper, Aslynn Gonzalez, Kourtney Haralson, Payton Harrell, Alyssa LaFrance, Madison Luke, Karma Malone, Abby McCary, Caroline Minor, Sarah-Elizabeth Neese, Christian Nix, Sean Pruitt, Isabella Ryals, Demauri Scarbrough, Kate Smith, Adam Thaggard, Rebekah Thaggard, Lexi Watson, Natalie Wilson and Ian Woodard.

Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” will be presented to Lauderdale County School students on the mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 25-27. The Sept. 27, 7 p.m. production is open to the public.

Individual tickets for the public performances may be purchased by calling the MCC Foundation office at 601-484-8696.