7/9/2023 0 Comments Aladin on broadway review![]() ![]() Our villain Jafar (the delightful Jonathan Freeman, who voiced the character in the film) has been downgraded from sinister sorcerer to silly schemer. ‘Kimberly Akimbo, ‘Shucked' & more shows see box office rush after Tony wins (Though a nod to Abu does appear during "Prince Ali"). ![]() Aladdin’s monkey Abu is now replaced by a slapstick trio of friends named Babkak, Omar and Kassim (Brian Gonzales, Jonathan Schwartz and Brandon O’Neill, all working well together), who share one characteristic rather than three singular, developed characters. What results is a fast-paced, quick-witted tale, punctuated with physical comedy and contemporary gags. Book writer Chad Beguelin restored cut scenes, characters and songs from composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman’s early drafts of the film, assuring that this screen-to-stage transfer feels anything but copycat. Aladdin (Adam Jacobs) still finds a magic lamp, is given three wishes from the Genie inside, and transforms himself into a prince to win the heart of the princess Jasmine (Courtney Reed). You’ll also marvel at Gregg Barnes’ stunning costumes, rich in jewel-tones, feathers and sparkle.įans of the film, which brought in half a billion dollars worldwide, will be pleased to see that most of Aladdin’s journey, based on the Middle Eastern folk tale from “The Book of One Thousand and One Nights,” remains unchanged. It’s the number you’ll leave the theater talking about.īut Iglehart’s Genie is not the only thing worth talking about in “Aladdin.” Director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (“The Book of Mormon”) has done wonders staging “Aladdin.” From the opening “Arabian Nights” to Act II’s standout “Prince Ali,” Nicholaw uses his multicultural ensemble flawlessly, unraveling layers to each number that surprise and wonder. Iglehart is so outstanding as Genie that his take on “Friend Like Me” stopped the performance I attended with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Iglehart, last seen on Broadway in “Memphis,” uses his background in improv to create a comedic and charismatic Genie, who’s equal parts Fats Waller, Luther Vandross and Oprah Winfrey (“You get a wish! You get a wish!”). It’s rare that you see an actor playing a character he was born to play in a career-defining performance. That’s due to the casting of the energetic James Monroe Iglehart, who all but erases the memory of Robin Williams, the voice of the Genie in the 1992 animated film. “Aladdin” may be named after its lead street urchin character, but the musical comedy that just opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre is all about one character: the Genie. Aladdin began performances at the New Amsterdam Theatre in 2014, and in a review for New York Theatre Guide, Tom Millward said: "The costumes and sets are wonderfully bright and make the production the most vibrantly colourful of all Disney Theatrical's offerings to date."Īladdin features music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, with songs including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me." But there's also new music for Aladdin on stage including "Proud of Your Boy."Ĭasey Nicholaw directs and choreographs, with scenic design by Bob Crowley, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by Ken Travis.Īladdin is at the New Amsterdam Theatre from September 28.Don’t be fooled by the title of Disney’s latest film-to-stage transfer. When granted three wishes by a genie in a magic lamp, Aladdin changes his life to win Jasmine's hand in marriage. The Aladdin cast is completed by Tia Altinay, Mary Antonini, Netanel Bellaishe, Michael Callahan, Mike Cannon, Matthew deGuzman, Jacob Dickey, Mark DiConzo, Olivia Donalson, Josh Drake, Samantha Farrow, Jacob Gutierrez, Heather Makalani, Stanley Martin, Paul Heesang Miller, April Holloway, Amber Owens, Jamie Kasey Patterson, Bobby Pestka, Ariel Reid, Tyler Roberts, Jaz Sealey, Charles South, Angelo Soriano and Katie Terza.īased on the nineties Disney animation of the same name, Aladdin follows the title urchin as he falls in love with a princess. Zach Bencal will now play the role of Babkak, joined by standby cast members Frank Viveros as a Genie/Sultan/Babkak standby, Dennis Stowe as the Jafar/Sultan standby and Juwan Crawley as a Genie/Sultan standby. Michael James Scott will reprise the role of the Genie, alongside Jonathan Freeman as Jafar and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago, Milo Alosi as Kassim, Brad Weinstock as Omar, JC Montgomery as Sultan. Michael Maliakel will play the title role in Aladdin, joined by Shoba Narayan as Jasmine. Aladdin reopens at the New Amsterdam Theatre from September 28, and A laddin tickets are on sale now. Get ready for a whole new world on Broadway, as the Aladdin cast has been named. ![]()
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