Live Action Aladdin Sequel Officially Moving Forwards

Wish granted!

Now this is the movie news I've been waiting for. First reported by Variety, Disney are officially moving forward with a sequel to the live action Aladdin. Once the first film hit a billion dollars (and incredibly had a longer cinema run than Avengers: Endgame!) this pretty much became inevitable but it's nice to have it officially confirmed at last.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Disney set up a writers room over the summer to generate ideas for the sequel. That's right, this will be an original tale and not an adaptation of The Return of Jafar or Aladdin and the King of Thieves. It's currently not known what the story will be, but it is known that during the writers room Disney and producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich (returning from the last film) were looking at other stories from One Thousand and One Nights as inspiration. Now that they have settle on a story direction, John Gatins (Flight, Real Steel) and Andrea Berloff (Straight Outta Compton, The Kitchen) have been hired to pen the script for the sequel.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Guy Ritchie is set to return as director and the principal cast of Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, and Will Smith are all expected to return. Variety is a little more cautious, saying it's "unknown at this time" whether or not Ritchie will return to the director's chair and noting that, whilst the leads are hoped to return, "offers won't be extended to the cast until a script is ready." Producer Dan Lin did note over the summer that Ritchie returning would be their first choice so lets hope all the stars align and they're able to get the gang back together for the sequel.

The film will be a theatrical release (rather than straight to Disney+) but no mention is made on whether or not this will be a musical. I can't imagine it not being, and the prospect of a new Alan Menken score and several new songs (likely to written with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul who wrote the lyrics for Speechless and the deleted song Desert Moon) fills me with more joy than I can put into words, but I must admit I'll be a little bit nervous until it's officially confirmed.

No release date has been set (best guess would be filming next year for a 2022 release) but for now I'm just happy to know that the film is officially moving forwards. Let's make some magic!!

Cast Changes for Broadway's Aladdin

Ainsley Melham, Michael James Scott, and the Australian Cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer

It's about to be all change in Agrabah as Broadway's Aladdin bids salaam to three principal actors and welcomes some new and some familiar faces.

First up, Clinton Greenspan will take his final bow as Aladdin this Sunday! Clinton, who took over the title role last September, will pass the fez back to Rodney Ingram for a limited run starting on Monday, February 17th. Rodney of course is a familiar face at the New Amsterdam Theatre, having made his Broadway debut in Aladdin and being one of the original understudies for the role.

Rodney's limited run will last roughly a month before another familiar face returns to Agrabah in March. The date is still to be confirmed but Ainsley Melham will once again be bringing Aladdin to life on the Broadway stage. Ainsley of course originated the role in the Australian production before joining the Broadway production for a six month run last year.

Broadway's Genie, Major Attaway, is also taking his final bow this month, bringing his three year run to a close on Thursday, February 27th. Taking over as Genie (again!) will be another familiar face as Michael James Scott returns once more to Agrabah! Michael originally ended his international run on Broadway last year, but even before he took that final bow a brief encore was already planned for his home town of Florida earlier this month. And now he's heading back to Broadway! You just can't keep that man away from the lamp!

And finally, Arielle Jacobs will fly beyond these palace walls as she takes her final bow as Princess Jasmine on Sunday, March 22nd. Depending on the date of Ainsley's return it's extremely likely that Arielle will get to take her final bow alongside her original Aladdin and Genie which is really nice to see.

Making her Broadway debut Marina Pires (On Your Feet! national tour) will take over as Princess Jasmine from March 23rd through May 31st. Playbill notes that a permanent successor for the role will be announced at a later date.

Welcome (back) to Agrabah everyone! And congratulations on your fantastic runs to all those preparing to take their final high adventures!

Aladdin Cast Join West End's Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Here's wishing a magical opening night to both Hiba Elchikhe and Leon Craig as they make their debut in the West End's Everybody's Talking About Jamie tonight!

Leon of course played Babkak in London's Aladdin whilst Hiba played Princess Jasmine in the Australian production (a production I sadly never got to see). I hope you both have a wonderful first night and can't wait to see you soon!

A Broadway Princess Party in London!

Make way! Here they come! Ring bells! Bang the drums! The Broadway Princess Party is coming to London! Oh, I've waited a long time for this. And it looks like I'm not the only one as these three princesses crashed Club 11's website this morning when tickets went on sale!

Yes, Broadway's original Jasmine is returning to the West End next year as Courtney Reed, Laura Osnes (Broadway's original Cinderella), Susan Egan (Broadway's original Belle and Hercules' Meg), and their Fairy Godfairy Benjamin Rauhala (musical director extraordinaire and king of medleys) are finally bringing their incredible Broadway Princess Party to London.

On Friday May 15th and Saturday May 16th next year, Broadway royalty will take over the Leicester Square Theatre for a concert filled with music and magic. This will be a party like no other, so make sure you head to Club 11 and get your tickets now.

I wonder who the guest prince will be? Here's hoping for a Matt and Courtney reunion!

Adam Jacobs "Behind the Curtain" Tonight in LA!

If you're in LA tonight then make sure you head on over to Feinstein's at Vitello's as Adam Jacobs is putting on an extra special concert event - Behind the Curtain!

The feature length concert will see Broadway's original Aladdin performing songs from his Broadway shows (including Aladdin, naturally), tracks from his debut album Right Where I Belong (featuring the timeless songs of Disney Legend Alan Menken), and pop and rock as he takes you on his journey from awkward teen to Disney prince to Hollywood leading man.

You can still get tickets for tonight's event right here! And if you can't make it tonight, the concert is being recorded by Broadwood Media specially for Broadway HD!!

Really wish I could be there tonight! Adam, I hope you and everyone in attendance have an incredible show. I'll definitely be watching it on Broadway HD!

From Aladdin to Hamilton

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!

25 Years of Disney on Broadway

Tonight, Disney Theatrical celebrates 25 magical years on Broadway with a special concert at Aladdin's New Amsterdam Theatre! The special one night only event is being held in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and features stars from all of Disney's Broadway productions from Beauty and the Beast to Frozen.

The star studded evening will the see the reunion of Broadway's original Aladdin and Genie as Adam Jacobs and James Monroe Iglehart return to the New Amsterdam stage! Also appearing from Aladdin will be Michael James Scott, who recently finished his around the world run as Genie, Lauryn Ciardullo, April Holloway, and Katie Terza.

Broadway's original Belle will be present as Susan Egan returns to the tale as old as time that launched Disney on Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, along fellow Belle, Kerry Butler.

Alton Fitzgerald White, Kissy Simmons, Rema Webb, Bradley Gibson, and Syndee Winters return to the Pride Lands of The Lion King.

Elton John and Tim Rice's second Disney Theatrical production, Aida, is represented by Adam Pascal and Sherie Rene Scott.

Tarzan swings back on to Broadway with Josh Strickland and Merle Dandridge.

Broadway's original Mary Poppins (and former Belle and On The Record star) Ashley Brown is of course part of the evening. No Disney Theatrical concert could be complete without her. And joining her from the practically perfect musical are Gavin Creel and Christian Borle

Three The Little Mermaid originals are reunited as Sierra Boggess, Sherie Rene Scott and Norm Lewis head back under the sea (and yes, I know I've listed Sherie twice now but she was a lead in both!)

It's a Newsies reunion with Kara Lindsay, Joshua Michael Burrage, Kyle Coffman, Nico Dejesus, Michael Fatica, JP Ferreri, Garrett Hawe, Evan Kasprzak, Jess LeProtto, Devin Lewis, Jack Sippel, Ryan Steele, Andrew Wilson, and Iain Young.

Freaky Friday is represented on Broadway for the first time by star (and former Ursula) Heidi Blickenstaff.

Surprisingly no Elsa or Anna from Disney's latest Broadway spectacular Frozen, but Broadway's Kristoff, Jelani Alladin will be representing Arendelle, along with Nina Lafarga (also Aida).

And Alladin was recently the star of another Disney production! Krysta Rodriguez joins Alladin and Iglehart to reunite the lead trio of The Public Works' Hercules along with fellow cast members Ramona Keller and Tamika Lawrence.

In addition to the Disney Theatrical stars, the line up includes Whoopi Goldberg, Beth Leavel, Ashley Park, Mandy Gonzales, Andrew Barth Feldman, and the Broadway Inspirational Voices Choir.

What a line up! And you can still buy tickets to the magical evening right here. I hope everyone going has an incredible time.