Broadway News Round Up 37

Adam Jacobs as Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer

Welcome to the latest Broadway news round up for Disney's Aladdin featuring all the latest updates on Disney's newest Broadway hit!

Firstly, sorry there was no update last week but as it was father's day I spent the weekend with my dad.  I don't get to see him as much as I'd like to these days so it was great to be able to spend the weekend with him.

Now, on with the show!

First up, and very fitting in light of this week's Supreme Court ruling, Aladdin's Kathryn Allison took part in Roar earlier this week, the 5th annual benefit concert for Broadway Sings for Pride.  It sounds like it was a great evening for a fantastic cause.

And in the wake of this week's Supreme Court ruling Aladdin celebrated with some very special showbills;

Photo by Adam Kaokept

Adam Jacobs had a few nights away from the show last week but he didn't go too far from the Disney magic.  In fact he took part in a special Disney Theatrical event on the Disney Cruise Line in Norway with his wife Kelly Jacobs (Mary Poppins).  Now I really want to take a Disney cruise!!

New York Theatre Guide's West End Reporter, Hayden Thomas, sat down with Aladdin's James Monroe Iglehart to talk about theatre, Gotham, Disney and even possible West End transfers... (please please please please please!)

And speaking of West End transfers the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye is reporting that Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher told him that Aladdin will be coming to London's West End as soon as the Prince Edward Theatre is free, hopefully next year.  But don't expect an official announcement any time soon.  Bamigboye goes on to state that Cameron Mackintosh, who operates the theatre, told him he's currently waiting to arrange a Broadway transfer for the Prince Edward's current show, Miss Saigon, before a date can be arranged for Aladdin's West End debut.

Personally I don't have any reason to doubt that this report is true, apart from the usual reluctance to trust a tabloid column.  We know from previous interviews with Thomas Schumacher that more international productions of Aladdin are in the works and the West End would seem like a natural fit given it's Broadway success and that London hasn't had a new Disney show since Mary Poppins and no Broadway transfer since The Lion King.  I'd just caution saving the celebrations until an official announcement comes from Disney Theatrical.

The Dominion Post has posted a great interview with Trevor Dion Nicholas about making his Broadway wishes come true as the Genie!  And if you want to know more about Trevor you can visit his website which includes the more in depth Q&A that helped to produce the article.  You can also check out his band, Neighborhood Goliath, on Twitter and at their website.  Their first CD goes on sale next month.  So if, like me, you loved Trevor in Aladdin why not give it a try?

Aladdin's Brandt Martinez joined fellow Broadway stars to create the dance video The Backroom which you can view at Broadway World.

The men of Broadway's Aladdin and The Lion King took part in an exclusive photo shoot for OUT and Broadway World has behind the scenes footage from the event.

Aladdin's Yurel Echazarreta is part of Roberto Araujo's photography exhibit Malexposure - B-Side at the G Lounge and Gallery.  The exhibit opens on June 30th and runs through July 6th.  Broadway World has more details.

I'd also like to say best wishes to Aladdin's Jennifer Rias who's taking part in a Disney Themed Master Class this afternoon with Broadway Artist Alliance.

 It's time for a quick Vacation Alert - Adam Jacobs will be away on July 3rd.  Rodney Ingram will be playing the title role that night so if you want to catch Rodney as Aladdin here's you chance.

Aladdin's original Kassim, Brandon O'Neill is returning to the role of the Pirate King in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance at the Ordway Center in St. Paul, Minnesota this August 4-16th so make sure you catch the show if you're in the area!

Samantha Massell, The Muny's Princess Jasmine, recently reunited with her Hunchback of Notre Dame director Scott Schwartz for a reading of Secondhand Lions.

Disney's official blog has posted some fantastic before and after transformation shots that show the cast transform from everyday New Yorkers in citizens of Agrabah with the help of Gregg Barnes' beautiful costumes and a little Disney magic.  You've got to check them out, they're just amazing to look at!

Disney blog DisTripQueen visited Aladdin this week and has posted 5 reasons why Aladdin is a must see for any Disney fan!

Earlier this week the International Thespian Society presented the first show of the 2015 Thespian Festival - The Music of Menken.  Taking part in the show was Something Rotten's Bud Weber who was part of the original Broadway cast of Aladdin (and understudied the title role).  Alan Menken himself couldn't attend the event due to the filming of Beauty and the Beast but did take part in a pre-recorded video interview done specially for the event.

And finally if James Monroe Iglehart hosting and singing in Disney Theatrical's The Originals concert then how about a special Aladdin panel?  Aladdin - The Making of a Classic will bring directors John Musker and Ron Clements to the stage along with animators Eric Goldberg (Genie) and Mark Henn (Jasmine) and voice actors Scott Weinger (Aladdin), Linda Larkin (Jasmine) and Brad Kane (Aladdin, singing voice) as they reveal stories from the making of the animated classic.  Yeah, let's just say I really want to go!!

Until next week!