D23 Celebrates the Music of Aladdin

Clinton Greenspan as Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer

D23 was last month and with a billion dollar blockbuster and the original animated classic set to hit home release, not to mention a successful stage show playing around the world, Aladdin received a very special musical celebration.

Hosted by the voices of Aladdin and Jasmine, Scott Weinger and Linda Larkin, the panel was a musical journey through Agrabah that took attendees from screen to stage and back again. The panel united four Aladdins as Weinger was joined by original singing voice Brad Kane, US Tour star and Broadway's next Aladdin Clinton Greenspan, and surprise guest Mena Massoud from this year's live action blockbuster. And now you can share in this magic carpet ride as Disney Dwayne has posted panel highlights and all of performances on YouTube!

The panel highlights include looks behind the scenes at the original classic and live action reimagining, Mena Massoud's surprise entrance, and a recording of Scott Weinger singing Proud of Your Boy (!) with Alan Menken (!!).

Aladdin's original singing voice, Brad Kane, took to the stage for One Jump Ahead and sounds just as good as he did 30 years ago;

Cut from the film, Proud of Your Boy lives on in the musical adaptation and Clinton Patrick treated the audience to this beautiful ballad;

Before Aladdin came to Broadway, another stage adaptation played for years at Disney's California Adventure, and Deedee Magno Hall, the Hyperion's original Jasmine, flew to D23 just to perform To Be Free;

The live action adaptation of Aladdin took the world by storm earlier this year and the D23 panel had two treats for fans. The new hit Speechless performed by Lillias White;

And the cut scene/song Desert Moon introduced by Mena Massoud;

A full quality version of this scene (which is included on the home release of Aladdin) has now been released by Disney.

And of course the panel ended in the only way it could, with A Whole New World. Sung by the incredible Norm Lewis and Regina Belle I honestly wish this had been the single version attached to the movie, it's just beautiful and a perfect way to end this musical celebration of Aladdin;

Sorry I was a little late posting this, but as this panel was happening Aladdin was saying salaam worthy friend to London and something magical was happening (more on that soon).

The Cast of Aladdin Celebrate the Movie's Diamond Edition Release!

The Stars of Aladdin and Aladdin Broadway, Photo from Courtney Reed's Instagram

This week the cast of Disney's Aladdin on Broadway have been joining forces with the cast of the original animated classic to promote the film's US release on Blu-Ray and Digital Download with a special Diamond Edition for the film's 24th anniversary!

In addition to the fantastic original film two of the highlights of this release are Robin William's Genie Outtakes, specially animated as a tribute to the actor, and a very special feature on the Broadway show!!  I'll be honest, I have the UK release from 2013, I've ordered this just for those two features and I can't wait for it to arrive!!

Broadway World have a fantastic video interview with the cast of both that you just have to check out right here!

And make sure you check out Adam Jacobs, James Monroe Iglehart and Courtney Reed's Instagram accounts for plenty of incredible behind the scenes images of these two incredible casts meeting this week at the press event and at the show!

TheaterMania was also on hand to capture some excellent photos from the event.

To celebrate the release Aladdin's Don Darryl Rivera also shared an incredible picture of his original Aladdin VHS tape.  Kept in his dressing room this video has been signed by everyone who has worked on Aladdin and visited the New Amsterdam Theatre to see the show.  As Aladdin might say; "wow!"

To celebrate the release of #AladdinDiamondEdition I'm sharing one of my most prized possessions of Aladdin memorabilia: My VHS copy. I keep this in my dressing room because every person that has come to visit us at @aladdin on Broadway and also worked on the movie has signed this! Including: Lea Salonga, Linda Larkin, Scott Weinger, Brad Kane, Jonathan Freeman, John Musker, Ron Clements & Andreas Deja.

A photo posted by Don Darryl Rivera (@dondarrylrivera) on Oct 14, 2015 at 6:01pm PDT

Now, after 24 years I only have one question left - just what was written on that lamp?!

When Aladdin Met Aladdin

Last night the cast of Aladdin met a very special guest, the original voice of Aladdin, Scott Weinger!

Both Adam Jacobs and James Monroe Iglehart have posted pictures of themselves with Scott, with JMI calling it "Disney Nerd Heaven" in his tweet.

I can only imagine what an amazing experience this must have been for them!  I think it's safe to say that if it weren't for Scott's performance as Aladdin this blog wouldn't exist, he was my Disney hero as a kid.  Hopefully one day I'll be able to thank him for that and the incredible experiences that doing this has given me.

Last weekend also saw the release of the new Broadway teaser trailer for the show;

It's getting close now!!!

And finally, I've updated the last post but figured I'd put this here as well, Princess Jasmine's new song is titled Beyond These Palace Walls.  This comes directly from Brandon O'Neill's official fan page on Facebook where I also learnt that Rajah is in the show (in a manner of speaking)!  Kassim's sword is named after Jasmine's pet tiger from the film :)  His page is well worth a "like", the Lego Kassim mini figure is especially awesome!

Tickets for the final Toronto performances of Aladdin can be bought here (show runs through January 5th 2014) and Broadway tickets for next Spring can be bought here (previews begin 26th February), so why not give someone a magical Christmas present they'll never forgot!