The drama club at Upper Cape Tech is currently preparing for an upcoming performance of Disney's Aladdin, Jr., which is set to open March 11.

Modeled after the Broadway version of Aladdin, the musical is a condensed one-hour story that includes all of the Disney movies' songs.

Robert Genereau, who teaches the drama program at Upper Cape, is leading the drama club through its first ever musical. It's his fifth year at the school and his third year leading drama productions.

“People hear 'tech school' and don't think there will be a great musical coming out of here,” Genereau said. “But actually it's the best place cause you have a lot of shops coming together for this effort.”

Genereau said nearly the entire school helped with the production of the musical. The carpentry shop helped with the set pieces, while the culinary shop will make food during the shows. Students from the engineering shop will help with the special effects.

The students have been rehearsing since before Christmas every day after school, Genereau said. There are 24 cast members and seven crew members.

“I think it's big that we're doing a Disney musical,” said Genereau. “This brought out students that hadn't even been in drama before.”

Genereau admitted he had concerns in finding enough male actors to play the main character of Aladdin and the villain Jafar. Drama is one of the few clubs at the technical school, and one of the only ones that allows students to artistically express themselves through acting, Genereau said. By adding in singing and dancing, it opened the floor for those who wanted an outlet for both.

Shaez Gomes, a freshman at Upper Cape Tech and a resident of Wareham, joined drama for just this reason.

“I love singing and I wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” she said.

Gomes is the only freshman that joined the club this year.

Other Wareham residents in the production include D'Asia McCain, Gabby DeAngelis, Riley Nee, Paige Zora, Rebeckah Zora, and Aly Cannata.

McCain comes from a background of acting since middle school, and said she decided to join the club, after adjusting to her school workload.

Others, like Cannata, DeAngelis, and Nee, said they joined the club for the camaraderie.

Genereau described the club as “a whole other experience that's really helping [students] to grow.”

The show runs from March 11 – 13. Showtimes are Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for students. Children 10 and under are free.