The Villains Come Out to Sing for Halloween

Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Photo by Disney

Happy Halloween everyone!

To get you in the spirit here's Jonathan Freeman's Disney Sessions medley!  Watch as Jafar himself brings some of Disney's greatest villains songs to life!

 

I could listen to this all day!

 

Have a fantastic Halloween everyone!

 



West End Casting Rumours Begin!

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye is back with more rumours about the upcoming West End production of Aladdin and, if he's right, we now know who will be bringing Aladdin and Jasmine to life in London next year!

According to Bamigboye Dean John-Wilson (From Here to Eternity, Here Lies Love) and Jade Ewen (In the Heights) are in early talks to play the classic Disney couple.



Dean John-Wilson

Jade Ewen

 
Disney Theatrical declined to comment, telling the Daily Mail that "deals aren't done and we won't be announcing the full cast for some time."  Bamigboye speculates that a cast announcement may come on November 23rd when tickets officially go on sale.  I'd love that to be the case but I think it'll be later.  The Broadway production didn't announce its cast until the first day of rehearsals so based on that I'm not expecting the announcement to come until next year.  But I'd love to be wrong!

Priority tickets for Aladdin are now on sale (guess what I'm booking tonight!) and general ticket sales begin November 23rd!  For more details check out www.aladdinthemusical.co.uk

From Broadway to Wall Street - Aladdin Celebrates 700 Performances!

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie at the New York Stock Exchange

Yesterday Aladdin celebrated its 700th performance on Broadway with a very magical guest ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange!  Yes, James Monroe Iglehart rang the opening bell in full Genie costume with the lamp in hand!

Congratulations James on this incredible event and to the entire cast and crew of Aladdin on reaching this amazing milestone!  Here's to performance 1,001!

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie at the New York Stock Exchange

Salaam Worthy Friend - Aladdin Bids Farewell to Nikki Long

Nikki Long at Aladdin's Opening Night, Photo from Broadway World by Linda Lenzi

This week Aladdin said goodbye to another original cast member as Nikki Long took her final bow at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Nikki has been with the show for it's entire journey, from Seattle to Toronto to Broadway as both a Dance Captain and a member of the show's incredible ensemble.

I just want to wish Nikki the very best of luck and to say thank you for everything she has done for the show.

Trevor Dion Nicholas is London's Genie!!!!

Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie

Now this is just awesome news!  Disney Theatrical last night announced that Trevor Dion Nicholas will star as the Genie in the West End premiere of Aladdin!

I am totally over the moon with this choice!  I was lucky enough to see Trevor's Broadway debut earlier this year and he was absolutely amazing.  I can't wait to see him again in London.  And again, and again, again because I will be seeing this show a lot!

And we now have a date for the London production!  Aladdin will begin previews on 27th May 2016 with an official opening night set for 9th June 2016!  I can't wait!!!

Congratulations Trevor, you deserve it!  Can't wait to see you bring that Genie magic to life on stage again next year!!

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?!

Disney's Aladdin to Make Magic in Australia!

Looks like the West End isn't the only place Aladdin will be flying its magic carpet to next year!  Today Disney Theatrical have officially announced that Aladdin will making its Australian premiere next August at Sydney's Capitol Theatre!

Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher was at the theatre for the announcement, saying that Sydney had been chosen as it was a "world theatre capital".  Indeed, Sydney has long been Disney's Australian home with Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins all having successful productions there.

Disney aren't the only ones hoping that Aladdin will continue that winning streak.  The Lion King's recent production attracted over 600,000 guests and Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres is hoping that Aladdin will do the same, telling The Sydney Morning Herald "It's got such a fantastic track record.  It's not just for children, it's for everyone.  It's a genuine Broadway comedy, it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will inspire you.  It does all the things that Disney has been doing to families and people around the world for many, many years now."

Tickets will go on sale next March.

Australia is Aladdin's fourth international production (of the new Broadway production) following Japan (now open), Germany (opening December 15th) and the UK (opening Summer 2016) which means there's still at least one more announcement to come!

James Monroe Iglehart Celebrates Stephen Sondheim

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Tonight Aladdin's magical Genie, James Monroe Iglehart will be taking to the stage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre as part of their Spotlight Gala 2015: Celebrating Stephen Sondheim.  The Tony Award winning actor will be joined by a fabulous line up of Broadway stars, including the star of Disney's Pocahontas, Judy Kuhn, and the original Sweeney Todd, Len Cariou, along with host Seth Rudetsky.

With such a talented line up it's sure to be a fantastic night.  Tickets are still available at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre's website, so if you can make it you should really check it out!

Have a Chat with Princess Jasmine!

Courtney Reed as Princess Jasmine, Photo by Mark Kitaoka

Sorry I'm late posting this!  Last week Courtney Reed began her #CourtneyChat video series "Beyond These Palace Walls"

You can catch up with the first two episodes right here;

Congratulations Courtney!  Can't wait to see more episodes!!