During rehearsal inside the Key Largo School cafeteria, dozens of boys and girls from KLS and Ocean Studies Charter School belted out the lyrics to “A Whole New World,” the hit song from Disney’s “Aladdin.” The curtain on this KLS show rises on Friday, April 28 and it’s a big deal; it’s the first KLS production in over 25 years. The excitement here is palpable.
“We’re trying on costumes and kids are bouncing around. The librarian told me she’s had more people come in and request ‘Aladdin’ books than she’s ever seen before,” gushed Michele Zofchak, KLS Drama Club director.
The cast of this musical is a large one, made up of 45 students from third through eighth grade. A few second-graders in the ESOL program (English to Speakers of Other Languages) are also participating. This “Aladdin” musical is a dual-language edition, scripted in English and Spanish with translation throughout.
“Most of my lines are actually in Spanish, but when it gets towards the end I change to English,” said KLS eighth-grader Shelly Gonzalez. She landed one of the lead roles, that of Jasmine. Gonzalez moved to the United States from Cuba when she was in second grade and learned to speak English.
“Now she’s perfectly fluent and is excited to be able to share Spanish in this way with her family as well, making sure that people in her family who might not speak English as well are going to be able to enjoy the show,” Zofchak said.
Ocean Studies Charter School seventh-grader Ali Wheatley learned Spanish for her role as the Sultan, an experience she says was rewarding.
“All of my cast members have been so kind and so supportive in helping me, one of them even recorded herself saying my lines so I could listen to them and learn my Spanish accent,” said Wheatley.
Zofchak says community backing for the Key Largo School Drama Club has been overwhelming.
“We have had so many great supporters,” she said.
Zofchak credits generous donations from the Keys Children’s Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK) for making this drama club and its “Aladdin” production possible. On April 5, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys presented a check for $11,000 to KLS to support the production by supplying costumes for all of the students.
Last year, CFFK awarded KLS a grant of $10,000 to help re-establish the drama club.
“It’s always so heartening to see how our Keys community pulls together,” said Elizabeth Brown in a press release. Brown is the vice president of philanthropy for the Community Foundation. “The foundation is proud to support projects like this that have a wide impact in the community.”
The impact of a drama club for children in the Upper Keys is so positive, say parents like Kristy Linares. Her daughter Luisa is in the third grade. Over the summer, Linares took Luisa to New York to see “Aladdin” on Broadway. When Luisa found out the musical was going to be performed here, she jumped at the chance to participate and has grown from the experience.
“She’s come out of her shell. She was very shy as a young girl. Now she is loving theater and she’s looking up to the big kids in the group,” said Linares.
“It’s never a dull moment for sure,” said show choreographer Kelly Shaw. She teaches second grade at KLS.
“It’s challenging working with all the different ages and all the different skill sets, but they are so eager, they are loving it,” added Shaw.
Taking to the stage will be a new and exciting experience for these young actors. Butterflies are to be expected.
“I’m a little nervous because this is my first time and it’s going to be a bunch of people coming in, but I’m really excited because I think it’s going to be a great show and everybody’s going to love it,” said Gonzalez.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait, it’s so much fun and everything has been amazing. Miss Z does an amazing job. I’m so happy to be a part of this,” added Wheatley.
Opening night is Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. The musical will take place inside the Coral Shores High School Performing Arts Center. There will be a total of five performances. Tickets are $5 if bought online in advance or $10 at the door. For more information on the show and how to purchase tickets, scan the QR code here.
