Merry Christmas Everyone!

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

As another year draws to a close we're at Christmas Eve once more.  To get you in the festive mood here's some carols and messages from the cast of Broadway's Aladdin!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Adam Jacobs - Right Where I Belong

There was a new CD on sale in the lobby of the New Amsterdam Theatre today, sat proudly alongside the original cast recording of Aladdin, as title star Adam Jacobs celebrated the release of his debut album Right Where I Belong!

If, like me, you don't live close enough to the New Amsterdam to grab a copy in person (I wish I did!) then you can get it online right now at CD Baby!  If you're a fan of Adam, musical theatre, Disney or Alan Menken (or all of the above!) then you owe it to yourself to buy this wonderful collection of songs.

For his debut album Adam has brought together a collection of songs covering Alan Menken's entire career, from Little Shop of Horrors right through to Galavant, from the classic Disney tunes you knew as a kid to some pieces you've likely never heard of.  Alan Menken is a storyteller and Adam brings those stories to life with magnificent vocal performances on every track, showcasing his phenomenal range as a performer.

The album starts off strong with a spine tingling rendition of Hercules' "Go the Distance" and doesn't let up.  It's rare to find an album where there isn't a single weak track but having an album of Alan Menken songs is one way to do it!

I love that Adam, having already recorded the Aladdin songs for the cast album, took the opportunity to play with them a bit here.  The acapella rendition of "Proud of Your Boy" (with the aid of his Aladdin cast mates) is beautiful and his brilliant new take on "One Jump Ahead" may just be my favourite track on the album!

There are so many stand outs on this album, I could literally write about every track, but I just have to mention how much I love that it showcases some of Alan Menken's lesser known work.  From the previously unrecorded "Sailing On"  to the revised lyrics of The Little Mermaid's "Her Voice" this album is a treasure trove of Menken's music.  It would have been so easy for Adam to just pick Alan Menken's greatest hits but instead he dove deeper, choosing the songs that spoke to him, and the album is so much stronger for it.  This album is just a joy to listen to, a perfect meeting between singer and song writer that I believe will speak to anyone who listens.

Congratulations on your debut album Adam, I truly hope that it's the first of many to come!

Disney's Aladdin Premieres in Hamburg Tonight!

Richard-Salavador Wolff as Aladdin, Photo by Disney

Hamburg will literally be lit up purple tonight as it celebrates the European Premiere of Disney's Aladdin!

Hamburg lights up for Aladdin

Schmidt's Tivoli Theatre, Stage Entertainment's headquarters, Hotel Port of Hamburg, The Fairmont Hotel Four Seasons Hamburg, the Hotel Sofitel Hamburg and, of course, Aladdin's new home, the Stage Theater Neue Flora, will all light up with a royal purple glow tonight in celebration of Disney's latest musical masterpiece!

And check out the incredible magic lamp that they made for the theatre!  How amazing is that?!

I just want to wish the cast, crew and creative team of Hamburg's Aladdin the very best of luck for a magical opening night!  Make magic everyone, you're about to start an incredible high adventure!

Richard-Salvador Wolff and Enrico de Pieri as Aladdin and Genie with the cast of Aladdin, Photo by Disney

Tickets are available from Stage Entertainment's website!

Adam Jacobs to Release Debut Album!

Your Christmas wish is granted as Adam Jacobs, star of Disney's Broadway smash hit Aladdin is set to release his debut album, Right Where I Belong, next week (December 13th)!

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly Adam said "The idea sort of hit me after working with Alan in Aladdin, which we started in 2010 and spent four years working on before it opened.  I always wanted to record an album, and I was sort of in this position of, 'I don't know what I'm going to do, is it going to be a generic Broadway album? No, I want it to be something more'. And I thought, I've always loved Alan Menken and I love working with him in Aladdin, and I'm going to perform an album of his songs because they've spoken to me since I was a kid. The thing with Alan Menken is, I don't think he gets enough credit. He's obviously got multiple awards, but now much he's interwoven into the fabric of our culture, especially people my age, and how much he's affected people through his storytelling, is powerful. And I thought, 'I wanted to highlight that.'"

A whole album of Adam Jacobs singing Alan Menken!  You can bet I'll be getting this the day it comes out!!

The album is set to be released digitally next Sunday on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and Google Music with physical copies on sale at Aladdin's Broadway home, the New Amsterdam Theatre.

So what's the set list?

The complete line up is still a mystery but the EW article does mention a mix of tunes both famous and less well known;

"Go the Distance" (Hercules)
"Suddenly Seymour" (Little Shop of Horrors), a duet with sister Arielle Jacobs
"If I Never Knew You" (Pocahontas), a duet with wife Kelly Jacobs
"Santa Fe" (Newsies) which you can hear at Playbill now!
"Out There" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
"Sailing On" (I'll be honest, I have no idea where this is from and couldn't find it on Google either!)
"Proud of Your Boy" (Aladdin), a new acapella version created especially for this album

Adam also mentions some Hercules songs that didn't make it to the film so I'm excited to hear that!

In addition to the preview of "Santa Fe" at Playbill, you can find a fantastic sizzle reel at the end of the EW article!  If you're sharp eyed you may even spot some of Adam's Aladdin cast mates with him in the recording studio!  Yes, along with his real family, Adam's Aladdin family will also be featured on the CD, providing back up in some of the songs!

As for the title?  Well Adam's theme is "hero songs, dreamer songs, underdog songs... because those are the ones that are always the most powerful to me ... The title, Right Where I Belong, is a lyric from "Go the Distance" but it's sort of indicative of where I am in my life and how I feel about staring on Broadway and raising on family. Our business is very ephemeral, it's here and then it's gone with each passing show. To have something to look back on, when I'm old and grey, to have for my kids... it's special. And this being my first album makes it that much more special."

Speaking with Playbill he elaborated more about his theme and Alan's work, "Every song on my album carries the power to transport the listener and take them on a hero's journey.  Alan can make you laugh, cry, and jump for joy all in the same song. It's truly an honor to share some of my favorite tunes of this world-class composer - I hope they inspire people as much as they've inspired me, both professionally and personally."

This is definitely going to be something special!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Adam Jacobs, Courtney Reed and James Monroe Iglehart as Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie, Photo by Disney

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

I've said it a few times this year but I just can't believe how quickly this year has gone! We're just 4 weeks away from Christmas (and only 3 weeks away from Star Wars!!)  But anyway, back to Thanksgiving!

We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in the UK but I've got friends and family in America, and this blog is celebrating an American show, so I decided I'd get in the spirit of the holiday and share what I'm thankful for in the world of Aladdin!

Let's start at the beginning - I'm thankful to Disney Theatrical and Thomas Schumacher, that they saw the potential in Aladdin and weren't content to just license it out for easy money, that they came back to it after 2011's initial pilot production and turned it from a diamond in the rough to the Broadway sensation that it is today.  There's a beautiful feature on the show on the new Diamond Edition Blu-Ray of Aladdin where Thomas Schumacher says that the reason Aladdin is what it is today, the reason it works, "is because nobody quit.  Nobody quit on it, and it was the sheer will of an enormous number of committed people that made the show happen."  I'm thankful to each and everyone of them.

Moving away from Aladdin for a moment, I'm thankful of how supportive Disney Theatrical been to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, allowing the show to go back to the book to tell the story they wanted to tell.  And then, when it became clear the show wasn't going to Broadway, getting the cast back together to produce a cast album so there will always be a record of that incredible production.


Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Deen Van Meer

Back to Aladdin and the one thing I can never be thankful enough for is this amazing cast!  I've said it before and I will say it again, this cast is incredible!  No only are they phenomenally talented and hard working, putting on the best show on Broadway 8 times a week, but they're also some of the nicest, most generous people you could ever hope to meet!

Backstage with Trevor Dion Nicholas

I'm thankful that I got to see Trevor Dion Nicholas make his show and Broadway debut as Genie, and that I got to see Merwin Foard before he left the show.  But more than anything I'm thankful for the heart warming welcome back we received.  I will never forget standing at the stage door having just seen the show for the first time in over a year and then Jane and I being recognised by both Courtney, who pulled us both into a massive hug, and Adam!

Then it was back stage to see Don Darryl Rivera!  And I just have to say here, I'm thankful for every member of this wonderful cast but I'm extra thankful for Don.  He's treated me as a friend from the beginning and has been incredibly generous with both his time and support.  When it was announced that Brandon was leaving, I'd asked Don if he could get one of the show posters signed for me before he left.  I'd thought I'd ask the others to sign it whilst I was there but Don was one step (or one jump if you will!) ahead of me.  He met us at stage door with a fully signed poster each!

And then he took us back stage and gave us an incredible guided tour, showing us everything from the props to the costumes to the orchestra pit (I have no idea how they move in there, I had no idea how small it was!!).  We also got to meet his wife, Kate, who was just as generous and kind as Don.  When she heard we were going to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame she offered to take us backstage there as well!!  And I have to say, seeing that set that close up was simply amazing.  The set was truly a work of art and the bells were magnificent!

Yes, it's Jafar's staff! Yes, it's awesome!

Don showing off the hidden lamp in Omar's sword!  Look for it in "High Adventure"!

And speaking of The Hunchback of Notre Dame it was amazing to finally meet Samantha Massell in person!  Which brings me to another thing I'm thankful for - this blog!  I never dreamed when I started this that I'd get the chance to interview the cast, I certainly never dreamed I'd get to meet any of them or go back stage at a Disney show!  Heck, I thought this would all be over by the end of 2011!  This blog has been a gift to me.

 

But even after going back stage at Aladdin and Hunchback, Don wasn't done yet!  When we came back to see the show again before going home he took us to visit the Disney Theatrical offices upstairs at the New Amsterdam Theatre!!  I was in Disney and Theatre geek heaven!  I'm kicking myself at the moment as I can't find the folder with the pictures I took!  The offices are incredible!  There was beautiful prints of show photos on the walls, props from the shows, even the prototype of the magic lamp from Aladdin!  It was a once in a life time experience that I can never thank Don enough for.

 

Edit - Found the pictures!!!

 

 

 

 

I'm also thankful for fun holiday memories.  Like the time I gave a one man standing ovation for "Friend Like Me"!  It was a great performance ("Friend Like Me" always is) so I leapt to my feet as you do and then slowly realised I was on my own.  Even my wife wisely gave me that "you're on your own" look before giggling at my predicament.  We were on the front row so I was probably blocking the view of the rows behind me and in full view of the cast on stage!  But I would totally do it again!  The bows that night were amazing, with Don giving us a thumbs up and Courtney waving to us as the curtain came down.  The feeling is something I can't put into words, I'm just so grateful to everyone for it.

 

Back stage afterwards it was great to see everyone again to say goodbye.  Adam gave me a hug and a "thanks for trying" for the standing ovation and Courtney gave us a lovely card before we left.

 

 

I had another "pinch me I'm dreaming" moment when Don introduced us to Jonathan Freeman!!  It was so surreal stood talking about Aladdin and the various productions in had on the way to Broadway with the original Jafar!!  Of course me being an idiot I didn't ask to get a picture!  But it was an incredible moment for this lifelong Disney fan!

 

After how fantastic everyone was to Jane and I last year, we made sure this year we went bearing gifts!  Schmackary's for everyone and then some special gifts for a few people who have always gone the extra mile for me.  The only reason I'm mentioning this is because I want to share a picture of Don's gift with you now, simply because it's a brand new piece of Iago art by Iago's supervising animator Will Finn!!

 

Big thanks to Don for this picture with him in costume!

And, of course, I'm thankful that Aladdin is coming to the UK next year!  I hope they bring these with them!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope you have a wonderful time filled with friends, family, love and laughter.

 

Stage selfie for the finish!!

 

 

Catching Up with #CourtneyChat

I can't believe I didn't post the second half of this amazing series yet!!  I'm so sorry for not posting this weeks ago like I should have!

To make up for it, here's the entire series of #CourtneyChat for you to watch and enjoy all at once!  Coming direct from her dressing room at the New Amsterdam Theatre, here's Courtney and her very special guests, Kara Lindsay (Newsies), Laura Osnes (Cinderella) and Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid)!

But that's not all!  Saving the best for last, episode 5 was a very special blooper edition of #CourtneyChat!

I've loved this series.  Courtney's great!  An amazing actress and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.  I just hope we get more episodes of #CourtneyChat in the future!

Disney Sessions by the Cast of Broadway's Aladdin

Last month I posted a special Disney Sessions video for Halloween with Aladdin's Jonathan Freeman performing a fantastic Disney Villains medley.  Well, if you've been following @Aladdin on Twitter or Facebook then you'll know there's more where that came from!

So here's the complete Disney Sessions series from the cast of Broadway's Aladdin featuring Adam Jacobs, Courtney Reed, James Monroe Iglehart and Jonathan Freeman with support from Kathryn Allison and Ariel Reid.

And yes, James wrote the rap lyrics himself!

I hope there's more in the future!  Especially the medleys!  I'm a sucker for a good Disney medley!

Cast Announced for London's Aladdin



Dean John-Wilson and Jade Ewen, Photo by Helen Maybanks

Big news!!  Disney Theatrical last night officially announced the cast for the West End premiere of Aladdin!!


Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Disney

 Already announced is Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin, Big River, The Wiz) as Genie!  Trevor made his Broadway debut earlier this year in Aladdin where he's currently making magic as Stand By for both Genie and Babkak, next year he'll be making the role his own as he makes his West End debut!  When he's not making magic on stage Trevor is making music with his indie soul band Neighborhood Goliath (and you can read more about them right here).

Joining him are;

Dean John-Wilson in the title role as Aladdin!  Dean got his break in 2008 when he reached the semi finals of Britain's Got Talent.  Since then he has starred in Tim Rice's From Here to Eternity, the critically acclaimed Here Lies Love and in the UK national tour of Alan Menken's Sister Act.

 

Joining Dean on the magic carpet is Jade Ewen as Princess Jasmine.  Jade is definitely no stranger to Disney having made her West End debut as Young Nala in The Lion King.  Best known for representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, performing Andrew Lloyd Webber's "It's My Time", and as a member of the pop group Sugababes, Jade has returned to the West End in recent years and starred in several productions including In The Heights, Porgy and Bess and Whistle Down the Wind.

A hero is only as good as his villain and bringing Jafar to life will be Don Gallagher.  Don's extensive West End credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Producers, Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables as well as a large body of work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, Painter of Dishonour, Richard III and The Winter's Tale.  In addition to his stage credits Don has appeared on screen in the film adaptation of London Road and in various television dramas.

Supporting Jafar in his villainous deeds will be Peter Howe as Iago.  Peter has previously originated the roles of Michael Wormwood in the Olivier Award winning musical, Matilda, and Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings.  His other theatre credits include The Captain of Kopenick, Holes and Hansel and Gretel.

Nathan Amzi

Stephen Rahman-Hughes

Rachid Sabitri

In new roles created for the musical Nathan Amzi, Stephen Rahman-Hughes and Rachid Sabitri will be helping our hero as Aladdin's friends Babkak, Kassim and Omar.  Nathan's recent theatre credits include In The Heights, Urinetown, Rock of Ages, The Rocky Horror Show (UK tour) and Miss Saigon (UK tour).  He also appeared on the third season of BBC's The Voice.  Stephen's recent theatre credits include the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bombay Dreams, Puteri Gunung Ledang and the UK tour of West Side Story.  On TV he has appeared in several shows, including a leading role on Dream Team, and he is a founding member of the vocal group TEATRO and the concert show West End Men.  Rounding out the trio, Rachid's recent theatre credits include I Call My Brothers, Romeo and Juliet, Rafta Rafta, Beyond Midnight, Beautiful Thing and Bloodtide and Tangier Tattoo but his television credits include roles on shows including Criminal Minds, Doctor Who, Homeland, Madame Secretary and Casualty.

 

 

Bringing the Sultan to life is Irvine Iqbal.  Irvine recently starred in Bend it Like Beckham and his previous stage credits include Bombay Dreams, Wuthering Heights, The Mahabharata and The Far Pavilions.  In addition to his stage credits, Irvine has appeared on screen in the films The Cook, The Pinocchio Effect and Infinite Justice as well as in various UK television series.

 

Completing the cast in what will arguably be the hardest working ensemble in the West End are Arran Anzani-Jones, Miles Barrow, Albey Brookes, Lauren Chia, Bianca Cordice, Leon Craig, Daniel de Bourg, Seng Henk Goh, Melanie Elizabeth, Kade Ferraiolo, Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Fred Johanson, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Thierry Picaut, Alex Pinder, Briony Scarlett, Kyle Seeley, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Ricardo Spriggs, Katie Singh, Dawnita Smith, Marsha Songcome, Kayleigh Thadani and Jermaine Woods.

I just want to say a massive congratulations to everyone cast!  I can't wait to see you all next year!!!

Speaking about the cast, Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher said "As we cast this exceptional company, I was impressed again - as I have been many times in the last two decades - by the vast, deep pool of musical theatre talent in London and throughout Britain.  And how gratifying that talent is a microcosm of the country in all its diversity and distinction.  I'm so proud this beautiful cast reflects that."

Behind the scenes Aladdin will be brought to life by the same creative dream team that brought the show to Broadway.  The music by Tony, Olivier and Academy Award winner Alan Menken expands on the Oscar winning score of Disney's animated classic.  Aladdin features all the classic songs from the film, featuring lyrics by Olivier and Academy Award winner Howard Ashman and Tony, Olivier and Academy Award winner Tim Rice, and restores several of the lost Ashman/Menken songs along with new songs featuring lyrics by four-time Tony nominee Chad Beguelin, who also provides the book for the show, and Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw returns as Director and Choreographer for this new production.

Scenic Design is provided by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley with lighting design from Tony Award winner Natasha Katz and illusions by Jim Steinmeyer.  Aladdin's beautiful costumes are created by Tony Award winner Gregg Barnes with hair designs by Josh Marquette and makeup by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira.  Sound Design is by Ken Travis, and Michael Kosarin heads up the music team as music supervisor and director along with orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.

Aladdin is cast in the UK by Jill Green CDG.

Tickets for Aladdin are now on sale!  Aladdin begins previews at London's Prince Edward Theatre on Friday 27th May 2016 with an official Opening Night set for Wednesday 15th June 2016.  Tickets are currently booking through to 1st October 2016 so grab yours today to make sure you don't miss out on this magical adventure!

Aladdin London is On Sale Today!!

Next summer Disney's Aladdin is finally coming to London's West End and tickets for this incredible show will go on sale at 8am today!!

If you didn't get tickets during the pre-sale make sure to grab yours now as this will certainly be one of the hottest tickets in town next summer!  So head on over to http://www.aladdinthemusical.co.uk/tickets.html to secure yours today!

And if you want a sneak peak at what's in store...

Aladdin begins previews at London's Prince Edward Theatre on 27th May 2016 and officially opens on 15th June.  Get your tickets today and prepare to experience a whole new world in a whole new way!

Happy Birthday Trevor Dion Nicholas!

Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Disney

 

Happy birthday to Trevor Dion Nicholas!

 

Trevor, I hope you have magical day!  I look forward to seeing you making magic in the West End next year!

 

 

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!!