(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.