Fantasia Showstoppers, a musical theater company based in the Hawkesbury, is preparing for its latest youth production, Aladdin. The show will run for two weekends in October at the Richmond School of Arts, showcasing local talent and drawing performers from across Western Sydney and beyond.

Founded in 2020 by David Catterall, Fantasia provides performance opportunities for youth aged 18 and under. Since its inception, the company has staged a series of popular Disney musicals, including The Lion King, Frozen, and Shrek. This year’s Aladdin cast includes 37 performers, with 19 hailing from the Hawkesbury and others traveling from as far as Chatswood, Mt Annan, and the Blue Mountains. "We’ve worked hard to create a welcoming environment for newcomers while retaining our regulars," David said.

In addition to local productions, Fantasia recently returned from a trip to Europe, where 16 of its performers took part in workshops with West End actors in London and at Disneyland’s Imagination Campus in Paris. Among the cast for Aladdin are several participants from that trip, including Alana Kenn, who plays Genie and has been involved in all of Fantasia’s productions since 2021, and Cameron Clarke, who stars as Jafar and recently performed in Shrek the Musical with his school.

Newcomers to the company include Zion Lallana, who will play Aladdin in his first-ever musical, and Hunter Phippen, debuting as the Sultan. Ebony Penman, who plays Jasmine, is also performing with Fantasia for the first time.

Fantasia’s productions have gained recognition throughout Sydney, and the company’s reputation continues to grow. Each year, they participate in the Junior Theater Festival in Newcastle, where their performers have the opportunity to audition for the Aussie All-Stars program. Ten of Fantasia’s youth have made it into the All-Stars, which offers a chance to perform on Broadway and at Disneyland in the U.S.

Reflecting on the company’s growth since its inception, David described its origin during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We started in 2020 when we couldn’t perform live music, so we created something new—a virtual Christmas concert that evolved into stage productions once restrictions eased." Since then, Fantasia has become a staple for young performers in the Hawkesbury, offering them a chance to develop their skills and take part in high-quality productions.

With its talented cast and proven track record, Aladdin is set to be another exciting showcase for local youth, continuing Fantasia’s mission to nurture young performers and bring high-quality productions to the community.

Show Details:

Dates: October 4-12, 2024

Location: Richmond School of Arts, 26 W Market St,

Richmond, NSW 2753

Ticket Prices:

Adults - $35

Children/Concession - $25

Family (2 adults, 2 children) - $95

Group of 10 - $250

https://www.fantasiashowstoppers.com.au/productions