(Ivins, UT) The Southern Utah desert will be transformed into an Arabian oasis when Tuacahn presents the stage musical adaptation of the Disney film Aladdin as part of the outdoor venue’s 2012 season. Aladdin will be performed in repertory with the Broadway musical Hairspray. This special announcement comes as Tuacahn is experiencing its most successful season to date, featuring Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the nostalgic musical Grease.

Based on the acclaimed 1992 Disney film, Aladdin will be performed each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening, June 1–October 18. Tickets are now available at the Tuacahn box office, by calling (435) 652-3300/(800) 746-9882 or online at tuacahn.org.

The music for Aladdin is written by eight-time Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken (Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid); lyrics are by the late Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), Tim Rice (The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess) and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), who also crafted the new book for the show. Variety hailed this new full-length stage version of Aladdin as ‘fresh, funny and very entertaining.’

This new stage adaptation of Aladdin premiered at Seattle’s 5^th Avenue Theatre in July 2011 and incorporates all of the beloved songs from the film’s Oscar®-winning score plus never-before heard Menken/Ashman songs restored from early drafts of the score. It marks a return to the authors’ original vision: a loving homage to the Hope-Crosby road pictures with a score invoking the jazz sound of stars like Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.

Released in 1992, the animated film Aladdin received critical acclaim and grossed more than $504 million worldwide becoming the #1 film of the year. Adapted from the classic Middle Eastern and Asian folktales in One Thousand and One Nights, Aladdin tells the story of a quick-witted young street dweller that uses the magic wishes from an omnipotent Genie to pursue the hand of a beautiful princess. The beloved film featured the Oscar®-winning song, “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me” and was praised for its clever script and show-stopping score.

Scott S. Anderson, Tuacahn’s Artistic Director, will direct Aladdin. Anderson also helmed the Tuacahn premieres of The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, and Les Misérables and will assemble an eclectic cast, crew, and creative team of professionals from Utah, California, and New York to bring the show to life in Tuacahn’s typical thrilling fashion.

Aladdin is licensed through a special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions and Music Theater International in New York. Tuacahn is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

(Ivins, UT) Following a recent stint with the national touring production of Oklahoma!, St. George native Shayla Osborn has returned home to take on the role of Frenchy in the production of Grease at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. She will also appear in the venue’s concurrently running production of The Little Mermaid.

Osborn, a graduate of Brigham Young University’s musical theatre program, is no stranger to the stage in Ivins. She previously spent five summers on the outdoor stage in a variety of productions including The Music Man, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. “It’s wonderful to return to the place where I performed throughout my childhood,” she says. “My journey as a performer started at Tuacahn, so returning here brings back a lot of great memories for me. There really is no place as beautifully unique as Tuacahn.”

Some of Osborn’s additional credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Children of Eden, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. She also spent two years performing and touring with the BYU Young Ambassadors.

Regarding her new role as Frenchy, Osborn says, “I have always wanted to play a red head! Frenchy really is one-of-a-kind. She’s got such a kind heart, yet she’s still a little sassy. It’s such a fun and exciting role to play. Besides, who wouldn’t want to be a Pink Lady?”

Now you can experience Shayla Osborn as Frenchy in Tuacahn’s current production of Grease through October 20. Tickets are available online at tuacahn.org or by calling (435) 652-3300.

Tuacahn is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

IVINS, Utah – Tuacahn Center for the Arts, already known as a place for professional music and theatre, once again becomes home to local artists, crafters, and farmers when the outdoor venue opens the Saturday Market for the 2011 season.  Commencing April 2, the weekly market will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. each Saturday through December 17.  The outdoor market will feature local artwork, crafts, food, entertainment, and much more.  A pancake breakfast is available from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on the plaza.

Admission and entertainment is free.  Patrons can stroll along the tree-lined walkways near the water feature and browse the displays by local painters, artists, and crafters.  Food, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, will be available for purchase.

To commemorate National Poetry Month in April, the Utah State Poetry Society is sponsoring a youth poetry contest.  Gardening classes on a variety of topics such as growing and using fresh herbs or raising plants for the patio will be offered by the Plant Lady.

Organizers will also highlight special events and themes throughout the year.  These include the Fiesta Festival, April 16; Polynesian Festival, May 28; Native American culture, June 11; and a classic car show, May 14.  Additional highlights include the Rubber Duckie Race  for Cancer, July 23; Fine Arts Festival, September 24; Crazy for Quilt Festival, October 8; and Pumpkin Festival, October 25.

Additionally, visitors to the market can enter to win free tickets to Tuacahn’s concerts and theatrical productions.

Chris Graham, Tuacahn’s Gift Gallery Manager and Saturday Market organizer, says this can be a great opportunity for people looking for something fun to do on a Saturday morning and for crafters who want to earn additional income in the current economic climate.  “This is a fun weekend activity for locals and visitors alike,” she says.  “When the public comes together to support local artists and crafters it really helps builds a stronger community.”