If James and Vivian, Jade and Zandar, and Wendell and Sandra can sing this classic song from Aladdin as they fly around on magic carpets, let's see what Madeline and her friend Johnny can do with it! I thought it might be fun if they sang this as they audition for their school play. Sabrina's memory of Sofia and Amber on the flying carpet is a reference to Two to Tangu. Thanks to Sofia2017 planning for helping with this story. Aladdin is not mine.

"This is going to be so much fun!" Madeline smiled. "I can't believe we're putting on this play!"

"We'll do great," her friend Johnny smiled. "We know all the songs, and we know all the dances. We'll get great parts!"

"I sing the songs around the castle all the time," Madeline continued, "James sang this to me once when I was sick. Of course, he sang the boy's part, and I did the girl's."

"Then it looks like you're prepared!" Johnny smiled.

Madeline hesitated. "Um…actually, Johnny…I've never sung this on stage in front of a crowd before…"

"If you think it'll help, we can ask Ms. Canfield-Brodie if we can sing together," Johnny suggested. "That way you won't be nervous."

"You'd do that for me?" Madeline asked.

"Sure," Johnny smiled.

Madeline smiled. "Thanks Johnny!"

"Ms. Canfield-Brodie? Can we talk to you for a minute?" Johnny asked as he and Madeline approached the teacher.

"What's on your minds?" Ms. Canfield-Brodie asked.

"Madeline and I were wondering if we could audition together," John started.

"Is that okay?" Madeline asked.

Mrs. Canfield-Brodie smiled. "Of course it is. I heard a few people sing some songs together, and Lilac did a really nice rendition of the reprise of One Jump Ahead just now."

Madeline and Johnny smiled. They had watched Lilac's audition, and thought it was very pretty. There was a good chance she'd get a good part.

Madeline smiled. "I can't wait! Thank you!"

As she was watching her sister and her friend, Sabrina said, "Penny, we are supposed to be helping with getting the proper outfits together."

"I know," Penny smiled, "But we can still watch everyone until we know who get what part, right?"

"Right!" Sabrina smiled as they looked through some more boxes.

Penny smiled. "Don't worry, Sabrina, we'll find something great for everyone."

"I know," Sabrina smiled. "We've got all kinds of pretty outfits for all the girls, and the costumes for the boys are going to be great!"

Johnny came up behind them and tapped their shoulders to get their attention. "Do you think I could borrow a few of those?" he asked, taking out a shawl for Madeline, and a vest for himself.

"Sure! Are you going to dress up for your audition?" Sabrina asked.

"I thought we should look a little more authentic," Johnny smiled.

Penny smiled. "Sure. Good luck, Johnny!"

Johnny smiled. "Thanks, Penny; I'll see you after the auditions."

"Break a leg, you two!" Sabrina called after them.

When Madeline and Johnny were on the stage, Ms. Canfield-Brodie smiled. "Both of you look very nice. Are you two ready to sing?"

"I think so," Madeline still looked a little nervous.

"You'll be great, Madeline," Johnny smiled. "Just pretend it's just you and me singing in your room."

Madeline smiled a little. "That's what James always tells me when I want to try out for solos in music class!"

"And it looks like the advice works," Johnny smiled. "You always do a really great job."

Madeline's smile widened. "That's right; I usually do a great job. Let's start the song!"

"Well, if you're that excited, let's do it!" Johnny smiled.

"And will we be on the flying carpet? Can it really fly?" Madeline asked.

Ms. Canfield-Brodie smirked. "Yes and no! For the auditions, you'll have to pretend you're flying. But do you know where we can get a flying carpet?"

"I can ask Mr. Cedric if he can put a flying spell on the carpet," Madeline suggested. "He really likes doing things like that!"

Johnny smiled. He remembered how Cedric had used his magic in their school play last year, and it had been a huge hit with everyone. "That's a great idea, Madeline! But for now, let's sing!"

"Okay," Madeline smiled, and she and Johnny watched as Ms. Canfield-Brodie started the music.

Johnny smiled as he started the song, I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

Johnny smiled as he took Madeline in his arms. He really liked dancing with her, and it was nice of her to suggest that they audition together.

"I think Johnny would make a great Aladdin!" Lilac whispered as she watched him and Madeline dance.

Madeline was thinking the same thing as she joined in the song, A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Ms. Canfield-Brodie smiled, and put a finger to her lips. She'd been thinking the same thing.

Johnny smiled and actually lifted Madeline up as he echoed her, Now I'm in a whole new world with you

At the same time, Madeline was smiling as she danced with him. She remembered how James had helped them with another play, and how much fun they had all had singing and dancing together.

She began to lose herself in the fantasy as she took the next verse, Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world (Johnny smiled, Don't you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see (Johnny spun her as he sang, Hold your breath - it gets better)
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be

Sabrina smiled as she watched them from backstage. "Johnny and Madeline make cute friends!"

"Yes they do," Lilac smiled. "They always pair up for projects, and they always help each other with in-class assignments."

Johnny spun Madeline as he sang, A whole new world (Madeline echoed, Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue (Madeline echoed, Every moment gets better)

"They work with other people too, don't get me wrong," Sabrina added, recalling how Madeline had worked with their friend Elizabeth for another class project, and how Johnny had worked with one of his guy friends for the same project, "But I always like watching them when we have music time."

Elizabeth smiled as she watched them. "I love this song!"

Meanwhile, Johnny and Madeline were singing, I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you

"I can't wait to hear them sing that onstage in front of everyone!" Lilac grinned.

Johnny gave Madeline one last spin as he sang, A whole new world (Madeline smiled as she echoed, A whole new world)
That's where we'll be (Madeline sang back, That's where we'll be)

Johnny bowed to her as he sang, A thrilling chase

Madeline curtsied as she sang back, A wondrous place

They finished the song together, For you and me

"I think we just found our Aladdin and Jasmine!" Elizabeth smiled.

"They might not get the parts they want, but they're doing a wonderful job," Ms. Canfield-Brodie reminded her. "They might even think of singing this song during our spring music concert."

"With Mr. Cedric's magic carpet?" Sabrina asked.

"If it's all right with him, I don't see why not," Ms. Canfield-Brodie smiled.

Sabrina offered, "I'll ask him when we get home."

"But where can we get a magic carpet?" Lilac asked.

"Sofia and Amber made friends with a magic carpet when they went to Tangu," Sabrina recalled. "They said they tamed it with Princess Jasmine's help, and now when they go to Tangu, that's the carpet they ride on. I'm sure we can ask their friend Zandar if we can borrow it for the play."

"You've seen it?" Elizabeth asked.

"And ridden it!" Sabrina grinned. "Amber brought it home for a weekend once, and we all got to ride on it! Nell and Bobby Lee loved it; Elena and Gabby, not so much, but Nell said maybe they could try it again when they were older."

Lilac smiled. "That could be just the carpet we need for the school play after all!"

"I think so," Sabrina agreed. "I saw the carpet Cedric had, and he said it only trusts him to ride on it. Sofia and James offered to take him and the carpet to Tangu so Zandar can help them train it, and he agreed."

"But they do trust the carpet that Sofia and Amber tamed, right?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes. Like I said, it was well-behaved enough for us to take Elena and Gabby on, and Nell was with us too," Sabrina assured her. "But the other one, we just didn't want to take any chances."

"That's a good idea," Ms. Canfield-Brodie agreed. "Better to be safe than sorry. Now, shall we continue the auditions?"

"Yes!" everyone cheered.

Normally, I'd say it's time to fly off into the sunset and think of some more variations for a new collection, but…surprise! Like some installments of my Do You Want to Sing Together collections, you get a surprise with this edition of Variations on the Classics: bonus songs!