Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
There’s no better way to treat an early case of spring fever than by taking in a performance of Whitewater Middle School’s production of Walt Disney’s “Dare to Dream JR” in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School on Apr. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Apr. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets (Apr. 9 – Pay What You Can, Apr. 10 and 11 – $10 adults, $5 students) are available an hour before the performances. Also, 30 minutes before the performances, Tom Ganser’s photos from the WMS productions of “Seussical” (2023), “Far Fetched Fairytales” (2024), and “Annie” (2025) will be shown.
Under the direction of MacKenzie Gehrke and assistant director Alyssa Orlowski, the cast includes Ellie Accetta, Alanna Alaniz, Lucy Baldwin, JJ Boss, Finley Bunger, Evangeline Burdine, Noah Clarksen, Kinleigh Dvorak, Mary Horner, Neema Kejo, Amelia Lefaive, Leah Lenartowski-Schramm, Madalynn Lesar, Rafaela Los, Karlee Luna, Samantha O’Donnell, Laylah Ortiz, Owen Pinzino, Donovan Ross, Elin Rothwell, Avery Schultz-Majkrak, Monserrat Serna, Sylvia Straight, Lily Tranel, Oliver Villanueva, Felicity Volbright, and Aubree Wojtkunski.
Led by Kat Dunham, the crews include Evie Baker, Corbin Bunger, Alejandra Escobar, Tucker Marshall, Anabelle Ries, Rayhane Savadogo, Hannah Scott, Mason Taylor, Angie Zeferino-Hernandez, and Arlo Zotti.
”Dare to Dream JR” is a musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As the group sets out to help each other discover their dreams, they work together to explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire, and make anything possible.
Drawing from a century of beloved Disney films, “Dare to Dream JR.” includes the classics “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast,” “When You Wish Upon a Star” from “Pinocchio,” and “Let It Go” from “Frozen.” Also appearing for the first time in a Disney stage musical are fan-favorites from “The Princess and the Frog,” “Coco,” and “Encanto.”
This musical revue is a thrilling mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages. “Dare to Dream JR” turns a century of Disney magic into a theatrical celebration of music, creativity, and the dreams that live inside us all.
