Westlake High Theatre is launching its 2023-2024 season with the diamond in the rough “Aladdin: Wonder by Wonder.”

The play, based on Disney’s 1992 animated film, follows Arabian street thief Aladdin and the adventures that ensue once he finds a magic lamp containing a genie. With the genie’s help, Aladdin disguises himself as a wealthy prince and tries to impress the Sultan in order to win the heart of his free-spirited daughter, Princess Jasmine —all while the Sultan’s evil advisor Jafar plots to steal the magic lamp for himself.

“Aladdin” will take the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at 1000 Garden Drive in Westlake. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased the day of the show.

Director of Theatre Kerry Onxley said the school offers classes in beginning acting, advanced acting and technical theater.

Onxley said the purpose is to “encourage the power of creativity and critical thinking” while helping students “embrace their curiosity, risk taking, candor and imagination.”

Students also create all of the sets in their entirety and are finalizing the “Aladdin” set now.

“Set building and painting is important to the actor’s training at Westlake High Theatre,” he said.

Onxley said the school will present the iconic musical — and the longest-running show on Broadway — “Phantom” in the spring.

The story follows a disfigured eccentric genius who secretly coaches an aspiring opera singer. The relationship

turns tragic when the Phantom falls in love with her and kidnaps her to prevent her from being with her fiancé. The Broadway production was made famous by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and took its final bow after 13,981 performances on April 16.

“Phantom” is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18. Tickets are $10.

Children’s Theatre Company

Onxley, who doubles as the artistic director of the Children’s Theatre Company, is also preparing for the company’s spring season, which will launch with “Pure Imagination: Junior Revue” in February.

This musical revue celebrates a wide range of imagination with a collection of Broadway favorites featuring “Seussical Jr.,” “Disney’s Frozen Jr.” “Annie” and much others.

Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, in the Westlake Theatre. Tickets are $15 for general seating.

Onxley said students ages 5-18 attend weekly classes in basic and advanced acting technique, technical theater, and musical theater in preparation for the performances.

In May, the children will bring “The Hobbit” to the stage.

This adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” shares adventures with a band of daring dwarves, a wacky wizard and a humble hobbit on their quest to recover ancient treasure. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12, in Westlake. Tickets are $15 for general seating.