This blog is dedicated to Disney's Aladdin: Broadway's New Musical Comdey. Following a successful Pilot Production at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in 2011, and regional and international productions in 2012, Disney announced that Aladdin would be coming to Broadway in 2014. Aladdin had it's pre-Broadway engagement at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre and opened on Broadway 20th March 2014.
Showing posts with label Trevor Dion Nicholas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trevor Dion Nicholas. Show all posts
It's time to celebrate in truly magical style tonight as Disney Theatrical bring the magic of Disney's 100th anniversary to the Royal Variety Performance!
The fabulous new cast of Aladdin's UK and Ireland Tour join the West End casts of The Lion King and Frozen alongside the German cast of the brand new production of Hercules for this once in a century performance at London's Royal Albert Hall!! And that's not all as the performance also sees the return of Samantha Barks as Elsa, ahead of her West End return next year, and Aladdin's own Trevor Dion Nicholas in a duet with Grace Swaby-Moore!
This promises to be a truly magical performance so don't miss it!!
The Royal Variety Performance airs in the UK tonight at 8pm on ITV.
This week London's West End roared back into life with a celebration of musical theatre. Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin, Hamilton) and host of West End stars come together with performances from almost every production in the West End for The Show Must Go On! Live at the Palace Theatre.
Trevor will be performing a number from Hamilton in a performance that you can only see here. Disney Theatrical will be performing numbers from The Lion King and Mary Poppins. There will be performances from legendary West End musicals such as Les Miserables, new sensations like Six, and West End premieres from Back to the Future.
Tonight, there's going to be a touch of Disney magic in the air at Hamilton as Aladdin's Trevor Dion Nicholas and Travis Kerry join the West End cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda's smash hit musical.
Trevor, who dazzled audiences night after night with his boundless joy and enthusiasm as Genie for the show's entire run, steps into the role of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. Travis, who joined Aladdin's energetic ensemble in 2017, is now joining the ensemble of Hamilton, trading the high octane production numbers of Agrabah for revolutionary America.
I've been meaning to see Hamilton for a while now, so now I have no excuse! I'm really excited to see Trev in a new show, I'm sure he'll bring the same passion and energy to Washington as he did to Genie and really make the role his own.
Best wishes to both of you, and the rest of the new cast, as you make your debuts tonight!
Have you ever wanted to go behind the scenes at the Prince Edward Theatre? With Aladdin ending it's West End run, the Evening Standard got the chance to go behind the scenes with Matthew Croke, Courtney Reed, and Trevor Dion Nicholas to show you how they make theatrical magic every night!
You can check out the video right here, where you'll see the stage, the wardrobe, the beads, the wigs, the bunker (specially made for Aladdin when the show arrived in London), and Matt's dressing room.
What about the magic carpet? Well, that one really is Disney magic and you'll have to see the show for that before it ends this weekend!
Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Deen Van Meer
Tonight is the night!
ITV is bringing the West End to the small screen as stars line up to sing some of your favourite show tunes with Aladdin's Trevor Dion Nicholas as one of the judges in All Star Musicals.
Yes, our very own Genie will be on the show, helping to decided whether each of the celebrity performances has musical magic, or if they should have stayed inside the lamp.
And that's not all! The incredible West End cast of Aladdin will be making magic themselves, with a show stopping performance of Friend Like Me that you won't want to miss!
Tomorrow's an exciting day for musical theatre fans as Matt Croke, the star of London's Aladdin, launches his debut album, Only Dreaming! Featuring songs from stage and screen, Only Dreaming will premiere on iTunes and Spotify tomorrow, with CDs available from the Prince Edward Theatre and Matt's website from 14th December.
Now, everyone reading this knows how big an Aladdin fan I am (obviously!), and Proud of Your Boy is my favourite song in the show so I'm delighted that Matt has recorded his own version of the song for the album! And not only that! He also duets with The Lion King's Nick Afoa (London's Simba) on a mash up of Proud of Your Boy/Endless Night! If you heard this on Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night then you already know how amazing this sounds!
And Nick's not the only member of the Disney family Matt's teaming up with for this album. Trevor Dion Nicholas has Matt's back every night as the Genie to his Aladdin, and joins him for a new recording of Aladdin's Somebody's Got Your Back, whilst Hiba Elchikhe (Australia's Jasmine) joins him for A Whole New World. The album is also produced and orchestrated by Aladdin's West End musical director Alan Williams, so you know it's going to sound amazing!
As well as Aladdin, Matt's debut album features songs from Godspell, Singing in the Rain, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, and more. Disney's Tarzan makes a welcome appearance with Who Better Than Me? and Matt follows in the footsteps of fellow Disney Theatrical stars Adam Jacobs and Norm Lewis with his version of Go The Distance from Hercules. I can't wait to hear that one!
Congratulations Matt! I can't wait to pick up a copy next time I'm at the theatre! Or maybe I'll just download it! I really can't wait :o)
Today marks 100 years since the end of the First World War.
In tribute to all who lost their lives and to raise money for Help for Heroes, a host of musical theatre stars and celebrities joined forces with Daniel and Laura Curtis to create a music video titled simply, The Hero. Amongst those taking part were Aladdin stars and alumni James Monroe Iglehart, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Marisha Wallace, and Alan Menken.
You can contribute to Help for Heroes at the West End and Friends Just Giving page or download the song from all online stores now.
Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Deen Van Meer
The Genie is here!
Or at least he will be tomorrow!
Trevor Dion Nicholas is taking over Aladdin's West End Instagram at 1pm (that's 8am for all you New Yorkers!) and answering your questions.
The take over will be happening right here - https://www.instagram.com/aladdinlondon/ - so make sure you check it out. Maybe you'll even have your wish granted.
Yesterday the cast of London's Aladdin played to a packed audience at West End Live!
If you couldn't make it, or if you just want to re-live the magic, Official London Theatre have posted the full performance for you to enjoy!
You've gotta love Leon, Julian and Daniel wearing shirts that match their Babkak, Omar and Kassim costumes!
West End Live continues today, with Disney's The Lion King at 12:10pm, and Aladdin's own Trevor Dion Nicholas joining a host West End stars to take it home at 4:00pm.
UPDATED!
I'm well overdue adding this! Here's the always amazing Trevor Dion Nicholas from West End Live!
And here's London's original Babkak, Nathan Amzi bringing even more Disney magic to West End Live with Hunchback's 'Out There'
The Cast of London's Aladdin at West End Live 2017
If you're in London this weekend then make sure you head over to Trafalgar Square for West End Live 2018! Starting today at 11:00am (gates open at 10:15am so go get in line!) West End Live showcases some of the best of London theatre, including Disney's Aladdin!
I went last year and had an amazing time so I'm gutted I couldn't make it again this year.
It's a fantastic weekend and a great way to see some highlights from your favourite shows and to get a glimpse at other shows you might not have considered before.
The Aladdin gang will be making magic at 11:15am today, then Trevor Dion Nicholas will be bringing us home tomorrow at 4:00pm, along with Nathan Amzi (London's original Babkak), Emma Kingston, Matt Henry and Danielle Hope in an incredible finale.
Last year Aladdin treated us to Matthew Croke singing Proud of Your Boy, duetting A Whole New World with Jade Ewen, then teaming up with Trevor Dion Nicholas and the BOK boys for Somebody's Got Your Back before Trevor finished things off with the unbeatable Friend Like Me (including an audience singalong). I can't wait to hear what they do this year!
Trevor Dion Nicholas' lamp is all packed and ready to head back home to Pittsburgh this summer!
For a limited time only, the West End's original Genie is trading places with the US Tour's incredible Michael James Scott so that he can bring this iconic character to life in his home town.
Speaking about the move Trevor said, "My time here in the West End has been absolutely incredible so far, and I am beyond proud to call London my new home. Still, being presented with the chance to perform this phenomenal show as Genie in Pittsburg is something I cannot pass up. In a city so close to where I grew up, having an audience full of family and friends, is another dream come true."
Michael James Scott, who's journey mirrors Trevor's from Broadway standby to leading an international production, is just as excited to be switching lamps! Saying "Playing this iconic role of Genie has taken me all over the world, something I never even dreamed of. My 'Genie Brother' Trevor Dion Nicholas has raved about his time in London, so to be a part of this awesome Genie swap and return to play the West End again is an enormous Genie-sized gift. I just can't wait!"
I just love that Disney Theatrical gives its cast members opportunities like this, allowing them to switch between productions so they can play their home towns. It's an amazing gift, not just to the actors but to their friends and families as well.
The US Tour of Disney's Aladdin is currently playing in Philadelphia, with stops in Boston and Buffalo this summer. Trevor will join the tour for it's runs in Pittsburgh from August 22nd - September 9th, Atlanta from September 12th - 23rd and New Orleans from September 26th - October 7th!
Michael James Scott is joining the West End production of Aladdin from August 17th - September 30th.
And here's the announcement from the Genie himself!
— Trevor Dion Nicholas (@astonishingtrev) 14 June 2018
US audiences are in for an incredible treat when this home town superstar hits the stage of the Benedum Center later this year! And I can't wait to finally see Michael James Scott as Genie! He was sensational as Babkak when I saw him in the original Broadway production and I missed him in LA earlier this year, so I'm really excited to see what he brings to the role!
It's Eurovision time again! No, not the one where all the votes are political and we had to bring out Andrew Lloyd Webber to help crack the top 5 (though Jade is now our Jasmine!), the good one, WEST END EUROVISION!
Yes, next month sees the return of Theatre Mad's West End Eurovision in support of the fight against HIV and AIDS. Next month 8 shows will compete to be crowned the winner, but right now you can help Aladdin win best video indent by texting AL to 82727 (texts cost £3 plus standard message costs, Theatre Mad receives 98% of the donation).
You can check out Aladdin's hilarious indent right here;
Hot off his incredible West End Live performance and the release of Neighbourhood Goliath's debut album last month (not to mention his What's On Stage Award winning day job as Aladdin's sensational Genie) Trevor Dion Nicholas will premiere the brand new What's On Stage Live tomorrow night!
Described by What's On Stage as intimate events that offer the chance to hear exclusive performances from some of the top West End talent, What's On Stage Live will also offer guests the opportunity to take part in special Q&A sessions with the stars during the evening.
Taking place at Above the Arts Studio Theatre (which, as its name suggests, is located above the Arts Theatre in central London) tomorrow's special event will begin at 7:30pm and you can get tickets right here!
I wish everyone going an incredible time, Trev is an amazing performer and a wonderful guy so I know this is going to be an unforgettable evening.
Last year Aladdin didn't have much of a presence at West End Live. This was understandable though as the show had literally just opened earlier in the week. The fact that we got Trevor Dion Nicholas giving a tease of Friend Like Me was more than enough.
What a difference a year makes.
This year the cast of Aladdin aren't just taking part in West End Live. They're opening it!
Friend Like Me seems like a natural fit to open the event (especially after Trev's little tease last year) but I'm hoping we get Matthew Croke's rendition of Proud of Your Boy as well. That's something I'm really looking forward to hearing.
West End Live 2017 will take place on 24th & 25th June with a jam packed schedule showcasing the very best the West End has to offer for free in London's Trafalgar Square. Kicking off at 11:00 on Saturday (Gates open 10:30) and 12:00 on Sunday (Gates 11:30) make sure you get there early as this is a popular event and I speak from experience when I say the queues can be long (I watched Trev from the queue last year).
But the Aladdin cast's 15 minute opening segment on Saturday isn't the only time the stars of Agrabah will take to the stage next weekend. On Sunday you can see Aladdin stars past and present in their own solo segments;
16:05 - Trevor Dion Nicolas & Neighbourhood Goliath (West End's incredible Genie & his band)
16:20 - Marisha Wallace (original Broadway cast, currently slaying it in Dreamgirls)
16:35 - Nathan Amzi (original London cast)
I definitely need to try and get back to London for this!
Trevor Dion Nicholas and the cast of London's Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer
There was a party in Agrabah this weekend as the West End production of Disney's Aladdin celebrated not one but two What's On Stage Award wins!
First Gregg Barnes took home the award for Best Costume Design for his beautiful work. I still think it's a crime that he wasn't nominated for the Tony Award back in 2014, his work on this show is simply exquisite, every piece is unique and the colours just breathe so much life onto the stage, so I'm delighted to see his work rewarded here.
Then, in what will hopefully be the first of many awards this season, Trevor Dion Nicholas was awarded Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his show stopping portrayal of Genie! If you've seen the man live then you know that there's just no words to express how well deserved this award is. Trevor is a star in every sense of the word and his energy and joy lift everyone in the theatre whenever he is on stage.
Massive congratulations to you both! What a fantastic start to the awards season, here's wishing for many more to come!
The cast of Disney's Broadway Hits, Photo by Manuel Harlan
Last week BBC Radio 2 aired the fantastic Disney's Broadway Hits concert as part of their Friday Night is Music Night series (and you can still listen to the full show right here!) I can't put into words how much I loved hearing this concert again, but now Sky Arts is going one better with a real Christmas treat for you!
Tomorrow morning Sky Arts will be airing Backstage with Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years at 9am followed by Disney's Broadway Hits at London's Royal Albert Hall at 10am!! What a Christmas present!!
I can't wait to watch this again and again! As someone who had tickets to see Tarzan but the show closed a month before I was due to see it, seeing Josh Strickland sing some of those songs in person was something I'd waited over 10 years for and he didn't disappoint. Finally seeing Ashley Brown live was electrifying. Hearing songs from Aida and King David live was something I never thought would happen. The Aladdin finale with Trevor Dion Nicholas and the West End cast raising the roof and bringing the audience to their feet is out of this world. And, of course, Alan Menken himself singing "Proud of Your Boy", dream come true. This concert is truly magical so make sure you don't miss it!
Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Deen Van Meer
As Aladdin's magical Genie Trevor Dion Nicholas spends his nights bringing audiences' wishes to life, now you can help make his wish come true.
Trevor has been nominated for West End Frame's Best West End Debut 2016 and you can vote for him right now!
So please vote for Trev and help him bring home this well deserved reward! Follow the link above, voting is open until 3pm (GMT) on Wednesday 28th September and the winner will be announced on Thursday!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words but in this case I think it's 1001! (ok bad joke, sorry!)
Here's our first official look at the new West End production of Disney's Aladdin!
Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie and the cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
The cast of Aladdin perform Arabian Nights, Photo by Deen van Meer
Jade Ewen as Princess Jasmine with Michelle C Hopewell, Sadie-Jean Shirley & Marsha Songcome, Photo by Deen van Meer
Jade Ewen as Princess Jasmine and the cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
Dean John-Wilson and Jade Ewen as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Deen van Meer
Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Deen van Meer
Trevor Dion Nicholas and the cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
Dean John-Wilson as Prince Ali, Photo by Deen van Meer
Dean John-Wilson and Jade Ewen as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Deen van Meer
The show looks amazing! Hopefully this is just the first batch of photos as we still need to see the villainous Don Gallagher and Peter Howe as Jafar and Iago and Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Rachid Sabitri and Nathan Amzi as Kassim, Omar and Babkak!
I'm not going to review the show yet (as incredible as Friday's performance was, it was still a first preview and it's not fair to the cast or creative team to review the show whilst they're still working to make it the very best it can be) but as first impressions go Aladdin burst on to the West End in spectacular style!
'Arabian Nights' is still my favourite opening to any Disney show. When they gather the full cast on stage and Genie joyfully proclaims "Everybody sings!" that wall of music just hits you and it feels amazing. The energy in this show is insane and the ensemble give everything they've got, especially here and in the show stopping 'Friend Like Me'. It's no exaggeration to say they make the show what it is.
The cast, from leads Dean John-Wilson and Jade Ewen as Aladdin and Jasmine through to Nathan Amzi, Rachid Sabitri and Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Aladdin's new trio of friends all gave great performances and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again on opening night. In fact I want to give a special shout out for the trio as 'High Adventure' had me in stitches, easily one of the best songs in the show.
Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie
A year ago I was fortunate enough to see Trevor Dion Nicholas play Genie on Broadway. It was only after the show that I learnt it was his first night. I never would have guessed. I wrote back then that Trev "gave a phenomenal performance ... he didn't have easy shoes to fill but he rose to the challenge and gave the audience everything they could wish for in a Genie."
On Friday night he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was born to play this role. I saw a star being born on that stage and I wasn't alone. I've never seen a mid show standing ovation in the UK before (heck, I've been to shows where they don't even get an ovation at the curtain call) but Trevor, along with Dean and the incredible ensemble, brought the audience to their feet for a well deserved ovation after the tour de force that is 'Friend Like Me'. If there is any justice in the world this will do for Trevor what it did for James Monroe Iglehart in America. Put his name on the Olivier Award now!
There's been some minor changes to localise the show for the UK. Some of them worked great (I loved Genie's "No, I'm from New York!" and the Bruce Forsyth reference had the crowd howling), others felt a little like change just for the sake of change (I preferred the old Pyramid joke to the Ibiza reference) but that mostly just comes down to personal preference.
With this being a first preview there were one or two minor issues. The microphone levels seemed to be slightly off during 'These Palace Walls' and in the finale I could see something that I shouldn't have been able to (and never have before even from the front row at the New Amsterdam). I'd also love just a little more energy from 'Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim' as, whilst a great performance, it didn't quite capture that "I want to get up and join in" feeling that it has on Broadway. I know that's not a fair comparison and it seems like an insane ask from a cast that is already giving so much but I know they have it in them, they proved it many times over on that stage on Friday. And I'll be honest, I know that these (and any other issues) will be long sorted by opening night. In fact, they probably have been already!
If Friday night is any indication Aladdin is going to be the biggest thing to hit the West End this year. The audience loved every second and the show received two well deserved standing ovations. My hands were still raw the next day from clapping so much. As we were driving home on Saturday all I kept thinking was "I wish we'd bought tickets for tonight, I don't want to wait another two weeks to see it again." This show isn't a diamond in the rough, it's shining, shimmering, splendid and I can't wait for everyone to see it!
Adam Jacobs & Courtney Reed as Aladdin & Jasmine, Photo by Mark Kitaoka
As Aladdin rapidly approaches it's West End debut I'm definitely starting to feel the excitement building! It's been over a year since I saw the show and I can't wait to see it again when it opens here on Friday!
But before that there's plenty to catch up on with our Broadway friends!
Aladdin Broadway - Show News
Are you a Disney Vacation Club member? If so then they have a magical treat in store for you! A special performance of Aladdin just for DVC members and their guests that will be filled with member recognition and fun surprises! To learn more and book your tickets go here!
Have you ever wondered how they make magic every night at the New Amsterdam Theatre? Well wonder no more as CNET goes behind the scenes of Broadway's Aladdin to show you just how much work goes in to making magic very day. And in case you're wondering - the carpet really is magic, even CNET can't tell you how it flies :o)
The Knockturnal recently posted a great video interview with Adam Jacobs, James Monroe Iglehart, Courtney Reed and Jonathan Freeman (including a well deserved shout out for their cast mates and the most incredible ensemble on Broadway)
Adam Jacobs and James Monroe Iglehart recently sat down with some of their Lion King cousins to discuss their show with Madame Noire;
Aladdin Broadway - Cast News
Adam Jacobs as Aladdin, Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
Adam Jacobs will be joining a host of Broadway stars at the Lincoln Centre in June to take part in A Night of Broadway Stars. During the event, which is raising money for homeless children, Adam and his fellow stars will perform for and with the homeless children of Covenant House. You can purchase tickets to the June 6th event and read more about Covenant House right here.
And you can watch Adam's recent appearance on the always hilarious Tyler Mount Vlog right here;
And if you've not got your tickets yet to Adam and Arielle Jacobs' Sibling Disobedience concert at 54 Below you can now get 35% off using the code SIBLING35
And you can catch Broadway.com's interview with the siblings right here;
JMI and DDR's scare war has progressed to a creepy smile war this month with the following photos on Instagram! DDR1, JMI1, DDR2, JMI2 Ain't it great to have friends like these! Love all the back stage antics at this show!
Aladdin's Ben Jeffrey is performing a one night only concert next month to benefit the Gateway Centre for Performing Arts and he will also hold two Master Classes and Aladdin KIDS! production camps! You can get more details of all these event at Broadway World.
Aladdin's Lauryn Ciardullo and all the fantastic Broadway stars who too part in the first Broadway Bee raised an incredible $33,000 for Broadway Bound Kids!
Aladdin Broadway - Creative Team News
To celebrate Casey Nicholaw's historic achievement of having 4 shows running simultaneously on Broadway Disney Theatrical held a special celebration for the awarding winning Director/Choreographer and invited the casts of Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten! and Tuck Everlasting to celebrate his success. Broadway World were there to capture pictures from the event. Congratulations again Casey on this fantastic achievement!
Dean John-Wilson in rehearsals, Photo by Johan Persson
As the Aladdinnears it's West End debut (tomorrow is the invited dress rehearsal for the show and previews begin on Friday) the interviews are starting to flow!
London Theatre stopped by the final rehearsals of the show to talk with our three leads - Dean John-Wilson, Jade Ewen and Trevor Dion Nicholas - and the result is a great interview!
Digital Spy spoke with Dean, Jade and Disney Legend Alan Menken about bringing Aladdin to the West End! And you can read solo interviews with Jade and Alan Menken here and here.
The Daily Express also has some comments from Dean and Jade on their reactions to landing the dream roles of Aladdin and Jasmine!
Our Broadway Genie may be in London but that hasn't stopped him and his band, Neighbourhood Goliath, from putting the finishing touches to their LP! Look out for it soon and follow them on Twitter!
Aladdin's Ethan Le Phong and his Miss Saigon dressing room buddy share their latest updates in the latest Dressing Room 14 video;
The show hasn't even opened yet and already Aladdin's booking period has been extended! You can now book tickets for the show through to 11th February 2017 so grab some fantastic seats now!
The cast are all there;
Make way! We’ve arrived at the Prince Edward! Keep checking for glimpses behind-the-scenes as Agrabah comes to life! pic.twitter.com/2ugRaSRRGf
Some potentially very exciting news came out of ABC's recent fall schedule announcement. In a call with Broadway World ABC President Channing Dungey revealed that the network is considering a live musical event following NBC and Fox's recent successes;
'Dungey told BWW, "we have some things we are currently in development on," but added the project must be one which, "speaks to the heart of who we are at ABC as part of the Disney family."'
So if you want to see your favourite Disney musical done as a live TV event then keep your fingers crossed as your wish may just come true!!
It's unlikely to be Aladdin as it's still a relatively young show and is only just being rolled out around the world but stranger things have happened and it would be great to do it now with as many of the original cast as possible. Personally I think Newsies is a good bet or even The Lion King as part of it's 20th anniversary next year.
And speaking of adaptations;
There are no words. If The Jungle Book is anything to go by then this is going to be very special.
Not content with playing one Disney villain in Frollo, Hunchback's Patrick Page has taken on the role of another Disney villain as Hades in Hadestown (though this Hades probably doesn't have much in common with his Disney counterpart). You can see photos from the show and an interview with Patrick at Broadway World and a video portrait right here.
Is this really Disney related? Well it's ABC and features Menken/Slater music so I think it's close enough! Here's the #MoreGalavant video which has been shared by Alan Menken and Michael Kosarin!
Now for something a little different. David Friedman, who was a conductor and vocal arranger on Disney Classics like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin before writing the music and lyrics for Aladdin and the King of Thieves, has written a new musical revue Listen to My Heart which will premiere at the Elmira College Theatre this week. The show will run Thursday-Sunday this week and admission is free so it's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!
