PENN TWP — The Sing Hosanna! production house vibrates with the energy of more than 30 students as they prepare the company's first strictly youth show.

“Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lamp,” from the Pioneer Drama Service, will feature youths ages 7 to 17 in the show May 20 and 22 in the Penn Christian Academy auditorium on West Airport Road.

“Aladdin” is based on the book by Tim Kelly with music and lyrics by Pam Hughes. The Sing Hosanna! production is under the direction of Ralph Christy Jr.

Starring in the title role will be Matt Ferree of Middlesex Township. The Shady Side Academy 10th grader expressed enthusiasm about his first Sing Hosanna! experience.

“Working with a community cast is really a lot of fun,” Matt said.

He has appeared on stage in events for his school, the Musical Theatre Guild and Act One, a theater school based in Glenshaw.

“ ‘Wonderful Magical Lamp' is my favorite song because it is creepy and mellow and haunting,” Matt said. “The monkey for the show is played by a small child who climbs all over me. It doesn't bother me as I come from a family with lots of little cousins,” he added.

This is Matt's first lead in a show, and for a musical, he said there are many lines along with the music to learn for his part.

“This is a high energy production with singing and dancing that will be perfect for families,” he said.

The show is different from the Disney version and features three lamps, a dragon and some other subtle diversions.

“It is more about Aladdin's adventures and his story and less about the romance part,” said Christy, the director.

The character of the evil foil named Jammal is being played by Andrew Stock of Meridian, a 10th grader at Butler Intermediate High School.

“When I saw it was Aladdin, I knew it would be a fun show. I auditioned for it and didn't care what part I got, but Jammal is a pretty good role,” said Andrew, who has been in several Sing Hosanna! shows.

“While the songs are in a good range for my voice, maintaining the low evil speaking voice is where I am concentrating my effort,” he said.

Andrew also participates in the school marching band and Tees and Ties, a men's a cappella group that performs at school functions.

The princess Jasmine of the show is being played by Sarah Herold, a 9th grader at Butler Intermediate who has been working with her voice coach to master the music.

“My favorite song to sing is the duet with Jordan Luntz (Halima, wicked sister of Jammal), ‘Vinegar and Sugar' because it is a song about the heart,” Sarah said.

“The show is going smoothly and I haven't had any issues with the role at all,” she said, noting that her sister is also in the production.

Sarah decided to audition with her friends because she thought it would be fun to do a show all together. “I am really excited; I think it will be a great show,” she said.

The monkey in the middle of everything is played by 8-year-old Camden Rockcastle, a second grader at Butler Catholic School.

Camden has been in Sing Hosanna! shows before, most recently as the tiny buddha boy in the “King and I” for which he shaved his head.

“I am a singing monkey and it is really a lot of fun. I get to crawl all over Aladdin and I am learning some tricks,” said Camden, who spends much of rehearsal time “practicing” on Aladdin.

“I am probably the shortest in the cast and I get to crawl all over the tallest person in the cast. It's my first time playing an animal and I like it,” he said.

The other animal of sorts in the show is a dragon played by Waylon O'Donnell. The 14-year-old Clay Township resident is an eighth grader in the Moniteau School District.

“I had just finished my school musical and was missing it when I saw the auditions for this show,” said Waylon of his first Sing Hosanna! casting.

“The dragon is a goofy, fun-loving character whose main goal in life is to learn how to breathe fire,” he said.

Waylon said he is learning that playing a human and an animal are completely different.

Christy, the director, said the theater group has wanted to try an all-student production for years and now seemed like a good time for such a production because there are many talented youths to fill the roles.

The show's co-director is Jim Neutrell.

<B>WHO: </B>Sing Hosanna!<B>WHAT: </B>“Aladdin and His Wonderful Magical Lamp”<B>WHEN:</B> 7:30 p.m. May 20 and 2 p.m. May 22<B>WHERE: </B>Penn Christian Academy auditorium, 199 W. Airport Road, Penn Township<B>TICKETS: </B>$10, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.<B>INFO: </B>724-287-8362