NK Drama 2012 / Aladdin Jr. / Evilution

NK Drama / My Kids

Melissa, Myself, Catie and Julie



Catie, Alanah, Andrea, Michaela and Melia

I won't go into full detail of how the performances of Aladdin Jr. went this past weekend, but I will say that both were incredible. The shows surpassed what I even expected. It was funny, it was energetic, it was heartwarming. My kids astound me.

Now, I love all of my kids, even though some of them may drive me crazy. They all mean something to me, something important. And yes, I am closer to some of them than I am others. That doesn't mean I play favorites...it just means that I become closer to some of them. It just so happens that these five girls licking the cake are those kids who have a special place in my heart.

Catie, who has been with the program since the second grade and at the age of 10 earned the role of Belle in "Beauty and the Beast". Alanah was in the program during "Cinderella" and then rejoined this year. Andrea was in the program during "Sound of Music", then came back for "Camp Rock." Unfortunately she was unable to do the show this year. She has an outrageous personality and makes me laugh so much. Michaela, has also been with us since the second grade and is one of the strongest people I know. Melia, whose first year with the program was this year has been a pleasure to work with. Both Catie and Melia played Jasmine in Aladdin Jr, and I could not be more proud of them.

Not only have were these girls incredible in Aladdin but they also shined in Evilution. (Catie as Cruella de Vil, Alanah as the Evil Queen, Michaela as the Fairy Godmother from Shrek, and Melia as Regina George from Mean Girls)

Sadly this was the last year for all of them as they are in 8th grade, the final year one is allowed to be in the production. Hopefully they will come and help out backstage next year.

And if that weren't sad enough Catie and her family are moving to New Jersey so will not be able to help out, and her younger sister Melissa is unable to be in the show as she has been the past three years. Their upcoming move is very sad for me as I have watched all three Calabrese girls grow up. Julie started off with us in Annie Jr. and continued on until her graduating year two years ago with Alice in Wonderland. As I already mentioned, Catie started off in her 2nd grade with Sound of Music and finished off this year as her graduating year with Aladdin. Melissa started off with Alice in Wonderland in 2nd grade and had to end off here with Aladdin Jr. in the 4th grade. Along with Catie playing Jasmine this year on the Saturday show - Melissa played Narrator 1. She was my upcoming rising star. I am going to miss all of them so much. (See photo up top)