IVC grad to star as Aladdin

Illinois Valley Central High School 2010 graduate Alex Bryant may have found the perfect part — Aladdin.

“People are like, ‘Oh, you kinda look like him.’ I’ve been told that a lot,” he said.

His parents and friends all encouraged him to try out for the part with the Children’s Community Theatre in Peoria.

The lead role is his in the “Aladdin Jr.” production, which begins at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Practicing two hours a day, four days a week and now everyday, Bryant has put in the time for the production.

“It wasn’t hard to make friends there,” he said about the cast of 55, who were all new to him. “They love to act and sing. Everyone gets along really well.”

Some practicing involved Bryant simply watching “Aladdin” on the TV screen.

“Our script is pretty much word-for-word of the movie.”

And then he watches to pattern Aladdin’s facial reactions and pitch of his voice.

Singing is something he has done for a long time at school. The IVC Chorale was not an option his freshman year, but he was a member of the chorus all four years.

“I’ve kind of been a goofball, I guess,” he said.

His parents encouraged him before his freshman year to act with the Chillicothe Summer Theatre.

“I just had so much fun. That got me hooked.”

That summer, Bryant was a chorus member in “Carousel.”

In the fall he acted in the IVC play, “You Have the Right to Remain Dead.”

Between band, homework, learning to drive and other activities, his sophomore year was quiet on stage.

In other summers he performed again with Chillicothe Summer Theatre in “Music Man,” “The Sound of Music” and “Disco Inferno.” He again will take the stage for a small part in “The Secret Garden” later this month with the group.

He played Lefou, Gaston’s friend, in “Beauty and the Beast” for his junior year spring musical and also performed recently in “Hello, Dolly!”

With time already on the stage, Bryant explained away any pre-show anxiety.

“I get a little nervous before — it’s basically built up excitement,” said Bryant about the pre-show jitters.

Once he sees the children in the audience and feeds off their enthusiasm, Bryant said he will be excited to be on stage.

The hard part about Aladdin is the amount of lines he needs to remember, Bryant said, and also finding a little down time.

This fall he will attend Greenville College and plans to major in music and possibly do some acting.

“I’m still kind of torn between the two, so we’ll see,” Bryant said about music and acting.

Thinking ahead to next summer, he may act with the Park Players or even check into playing Aladdin at Disney World.

In the here and now, however, Bryant is looking forward to a “fantastic show.”

“From the costumes to the singing to the lights, it will be phenomenal,” Bryant said.

He encouraged residents to get tickets soon as they may run out.

Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and students, and may be purchased by calling 681-2861.

All performances are held at Peoria Players Theatre in Peoria.

Directing the show is Lisa Voyles.

Also a part of the production are, from Mossville: Curt DeBacker (guard) and from Dunlap: Lauren Bowen (chorus), Alex Butte (Genie),  Christy Joseph (Jasmine), Annie Wild (chorus), Ethan Johnson (Sultan) and Amy Streittmatter (Matron).