Girls experience Broadway’s “Aladdin”

A group of girls learned about choosing their destiny and being true to themselves in an exciting way Sunday, Jan. 7, when they were invited to attend a performance of “Aladdin” at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The 13 girls, ages 5 through 16, were invited through the One Winter Garden initiative and joined close to 400 other students throughout Central Florida through the Dr. Phillips Center's Community Giveback program.

Danykqua Faulk served as one of the chaperones, and she said she was contacted by Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson’s office about the opportunity to receive free tickets to the show.

For the girls, many from Winter Garden Girl Scout Troop 244, their day started at 10 a.m. when they were picked up from the West Orange Dream Center by GoPegasus. After picking up another group from Clay Elementary School, the driver escorted the group of excited children and teenagers to the Dr. Phillips Center, where they were greeted by staff and volunteers.

They received their VIP passes and took a group photo on the steps of the foyer. They then were taken to the ballroom area for a lunch buffet that included music, a trivia game with prizes and additional photo opportunities.

The show began at 1, so the groups were ushered to their seats, and the attendees were treated to Broadway magic as Aladdin disguised himself as a wealthy prince and tried to impress the Sultan of Agrabah to win the heart of his free-spirited daughter, Princess Jasmine.

The attendees learned that true wealth comes from within, and they discovered the importance of honesty, selflessness and the consequences of trying to be someone they aren’t.

After the show everyone received swag bags with a T-shirt, book bag, Genie lamp keychain, cookies and water. The day also included free photos and a special cast video.

Faulk said her group was “amazed and enthused” and talked nonstop about the experience on the bus trip back to the Dream Center. Most of them said their favorite character was the “hilarious” Genie, and the girls talked about their favorite glitzy costumes. One student was fascinated by the lighting and scenery.

This was the first time the students had been to the theater to see a Broadway show. For two of the parent volunteers, this was their first time visiting the Dr. Phillips Center, a nonprofit organization in downtown Orlando supported by the city of Orlando, Orange County, the city of Winter Park, the state of Florida, donors and sponsors.

The center started the tradition of the Community Giveback program in 2017 and has provided more than 4,000 experiences to children and residents through the Dr. Phillips Center’s mission of delivering “Arts for Every Life.”

Twenty beneficiary organizations, including schools, afterschool programs and local nonprofit groups, participated in the two-day event.

“Continuing to make the arts accessible for everyone is engrained in who we are,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center. “Our team is passionate about delivering Arts for Every Life, and we are proud that our Broadway Community Giveback initiative has provided over 4,000 experiences for our community members.”

The community program is supported by Ravago Americas, Chick-fil-A Greater Orlando Area, Foxtail Coffee Co., Stax, Morgan Stanley, Donna and Howard Abell, Crouse Charitable Lead Trust, The Yuska Family, Sysco, GoPegasus, City of Orlando commissioners and Orange County Government.