The pee factor. In the Alcott household this is an unscientific grading system to determine the “likeability” of a particular movie or play. Shrek was a zero pee factor. Boys didn’t get up once. Great movie. Spider Man was a three. About average. Incredible Hulk. Forget it. Was a six. The people behind us likely asked for a refund as the boys were up and down so much.

Aladdin produced by Centerstage at the Knutzen Family Theatre was the first movie or play we have seen that, if it was physically possible, would have dipped into the negative numbers on the pee factor chart. Boys didn’t move once. They didn’t even want to leave during the planned intermission.

We had the opportunity to attend this play during opening night and what a production it is. Down near the water sits a quaint little theatre with open seating and very nice acoustics. Aladdin bills itself as an English Pantomime. Now pardon my Midwest upbringing, but I thought pantomimes were where no one spoke. Plus it didn’t start until 8 p.m., which for my young boys is essentially bedtime. Two strikes already. We would be out of there in 10 minutes. 12 minutes tops. How I was wrong. English pantomimes are basically parodies of today’s times and places centered on a theme, in this case Aladdin, complete with audience interaction. This was a riot. With interludes for an amazing parody of “500 Miles” by the Proclaimers, a righteous dude genie from the ‘70’s, an incredibly likeable Aladdin and kid participation for sign holding it has it all. The lines were great, delivery was well thought out and the acting was very good. It followed the Disney movie fairly closely which, pathetically, is my only point of reference. I don’t think I have laughed that hard at an event. Ever. Who knew the uptight Brits could have so much fun. Oh, and dads you’re going to love Princess Jasmine.

Lion King, Cats, Miss Saigon, Smokey Joe’s Café, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Phantom, Les Miserable are all plays I have seen on Broadway and while I am not saying that Aladdin is on par with these historic giants, I am saying that I was equally as entertained. Plus, I didn’t have to mortgage the other half of my child’s college education to attend as I did for the shows in the Big Apple.

If you were thinking about attending a play in the city, you would be doing yourself and your family a disservice by not taking in Aladdin. Good family fun for kids of all ages. Aladdin runs weekends through Dec. 14.

Check out www.centerstagetheatre.com for more details. Kids, dress up as your favorite character and get a free photo with Jasmine after the show. Actually, this might be recommended for the dads also.

Excuse me, I have to go pee, which puts this column at about a three.

Mirror publisher Rudi Alcott: 925-5565, publisher@fedwaymirror.com