Contributed PRODUCTION TAKES FLIGHT — Rehearsing for Harding Middle School's production of "Aladdin JR" are Teddy Gorman and Chloe Peckens, who as Aladdin and Jasmine, are aboard a flying carpet thanks to the stage effects of ZFX Flying Effects while Aylah Mitchell, standing left, and Riley Kelly, standing right, also will have some flying to do in the show, which will run at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Steubenville High School auditorium. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students.

STEUBENVILLE — Harding Middle School’s production of Aladdin JR. will include some stage magic when it opens at 7 p.m. tonight through Saturday at the Steubenville High School auditorium.

Abby Macre, the middle school’s drama and choir director, said attendees will be amazed to find lead characters in the Disney favorite taking to the air, whether aboard the tale’s famous flying carpet or of their own volition, thanks to the work of ZFX Flying Effects.

On Friday evening, staff members with the special effects company met with Teddy Gorman, Chloe Peckens, Riley Kelly and Aylah Mitchell so they could train and prepare for the flying stunts they will perform as Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie and Jafar, respectively.

Macre said those who attended the high school’s productions of The Little Mermaid earlier this year and Mary Poppins several years ago know ZFX’s work offers something special to an already fun production.

She said those who missed those shows will not want to pass up a chance to see the middle school’s first foray into such special effects.

Macre said “Aladdin JR.” is a 90-minute version of the popular stage musical inspired by the successful Disney film of the same name, with music geared toward young vocalists and a length more palatable to younger children.

The show is packed with nearly a dozen musical numbers, colorful costumes and the fantasy world familiar to fans of the Disney adaptation of the centuries-old tale “One Thousand and One Nights.”

Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students.

The cast includes Isaiah Ramsey, Gavin Pratt and Max Battistel as Aladdin’s friends Kassim, Omar and Babkak; Aylah Mitchell as Jafar; Tessa Filtz as Iago; Everett Schrader as Sultan; Lydia Battistel, Valerie Kellenbarger and Kendall Buchanan as Jasmine’s handmaidens Isir, Manal and Rajah; and J’Veon Harper as Razoul the Guard.

The ensemble includes Alex Anderson, Lucy Collaros, Kate Filtz, Alaina Ford, Emily Peckens, Paige Shaddinger, Sofia Shahram, Victoria Culp, Aria Davis, Lana Davis, Emily George, Makiah Hawkins, Alexa Hayden, Alex Henderson, Eli Hilty, Lily Kotsanis, Scarlett Lane, Addison Leak, Madison McCoy, Sophia Miller, Annabel Neely, Ethan Ramsey, Ryan Robison, Nina Rosel, Josh Schoonover, Lacy Smith, Livia Weeks, Tammy Whatley, Treyvon Poole, Vance Shelton, Ja’Seir Luke, Jordan Newlon, Angelo Geary, Macy Coladonato, Colton Davis, Avrie Deah, Nicole Eakin, Presley English, Evelyn Geary, Mary Nemeth, Gabriella Redford, Libby Rivers, Jack Afek, Oliver Andrews, Luca Pietro, Thomas Smith, Violet Andrews, Teagan Ewing, Kendall Hickey, Emma Hunter, Adalyn Martin, Ava McAllister, Mae Mills, Emma Ontiveros-Gutierrez, Penelope Romey and Kirby Shelton.

Macre said the play’s exotic settings were assembled by a volunteer crew she affectionately calls the Amazing Set Dads because many are or have been parents of youths appearing in current or past productions.

She said members of the Steubenville High School Drama Club have been assisting and will apply their own creative touches to the show’s sound and lighting.

Macre said the production owes much to the support of many sponsors, and more are welcome. Those interested in lending financial support are encouraged to contact her at (740) 282-3481 or abby.macre@rollred.org.