ORANGE — It’s a whole new world for the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School theater program as it puts on its first-ever fall production later this month.

The program, which typically has only a spring play, will hold five performances of the Disney favorite “Aladdin,” with opening night scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29.

“We had the mindset at the very beginning when we wanted to do a fall show to minimize the cast size and … to prepare them for post-graduation, when they want to do community theater and go on, for some of them,” Director Julie Bouchard explained. “We have a cast of 28, but I think we have closer to 40 with stage crew. But it’s been moving really, really well.

“The kids were ecstatic, as was myself and my crew and my staff,” she said about getting approval to perform “Aladdin.” “And it’s a lot to take on, right? Because it’s months of planning. So as soon as we jump out of this we’re going into our next musical, [with auditions] in December.”

“Aladdin” tells the tale of the title character, a poor Arabian boy who finds a magic lamp containing a genie and uses it to win the heart of the sultan’s daughter, Princess Jasmine, who is played by eighth grader Jaya McBroom.

“She knows what she wants and she knows she wants to go for it,” McBroom said of her character.

With the genie’s assistance, Aladdin disguises himself as a wealthy prince and attempts to impress Jasmine’s father, the sultan of Agrabah, all while the story’s villain, Jafar, plots to steal the magic lamp.

McBroom said she adores the whole story and the chance to contribute to it.

“I love it,” she said. “This is my first time playing a lead role, at the Mahar Theater Department at least. So, yeah, I’m really excited.”

Seventh grader Bradley Coleman plays Iago, Jafar’s snarky sidekick parrot. He said he enjoys the character’s goofiness and wise cracks in the musical, which he said are a bit different from those in the 1992 animated film.

“It’s more subtle,” he said. “It’s still going to get laughs out of [the audience].”

Bouchard said rehearsals for the musical started in September. She mentioned she always wanted to direct “Aladdin,” but the story’s magic flying carpet presented a challenge. This, however, is being handled by set designer Kate Cote and her husband, Brian.

“Disney choices are always good choices, family friendly,” Bouchard said.

The other shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30; 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Tickets are $15. They are available at tinyurl.com/MaharAladdin or at the door.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.