Broadway's Aladdin & Disney Vacation Club Unite to Support Make-A-Wish

James Monroe Iglehart makes wishes come true, Photo by The Disney Blog

For over 35 years Make-A-Wish and The Walt Disney Company have worked together to grant over 100,000 Disney-related wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.  This year, as part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations, the Disney Vacation Club joined forces with Disney Theatrical's Aladdin with an exclusive DVC performance of the hit Broadway show which saw Tony Award Winner James Monroe Iglehart granting an extra special wish as he announced that the Disney Vacation Club was making a $25,000 donation to Make-A-Wish!

At the event DVC Senior Vice President and General Manager Ken Potrock said "Wishes are granted every night at Aladdin.  For more than three decades, Disney and Make-A-Wish America have also joined together to grant thousands of wishes.  And, in honor of 25 magical years of the Disney Vacation Club, we're proud to continue our support of granting wishes, giving children the emotional and physical support to fight their illness."

Make-A-Wish is a fantastic cause and it's truly heart warming to see the Disney Vacation Club and Aladdin coming together to support it and help make children's wishes come true.

The Men & Women Behind the Magic

The cast of London's Aladdin, Photo by Johan Persson

We heard a lot about the incredible creative team behind Aladdin as the show premiered first in New York and then around world, and we hear a lot about the amazing casts who bring this magical show to life every night.  But what about the people behind the curtain?

Shortlist and Stylist recently went behind the scenes of the West End production of Aladdin to see just how the magic is made on stage, talking with the stars, stage and company managers and orchestra members to get a feel for what it takes to bring Agrabah to life eight shows a week!

You can read both of these great articles by clicking the links below!

The Women Creating a Whole New World

The Man Who Can Make You Fly

It takes a lot of work to create that phenomenal cosmic Genie magic every night but the results are simply wonderful.  When you hear the audience gasp and burst into applause when the magic carpet is revealed, it's just an amazing feeling and you know you're seeing something very special.

James Monroe Iglehart Returns to 54 Below!

James Monroe Iglehart, Photo from 54 Below

Back by popular demand!  54 Below's most magical guest is back as JMI returns with 4 more performances of his solo show; How the Heck Did I Get Here?

Tickets are now on sale for shows which take place on November 7th & 14th and if you check out James' Instagram account you can even get a special discount code!

Trust me, you don't want to miss this!!

London's Aladdin Announces Education Programme

Trevor Dion Nicholas and the cast of London's Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer

This week Disney Theatrical announced a new education programme for their new West End smash hit Aladdin!

The programme is designed for Key Stage 2 & 3 pupils and includes workshops for pupils aged 7+ along with a series of behind the scenes videos including interviews with the show's multi award-winning creative team.

The programme offers a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of West End stars to learn from some of the greatest of this generation whilst taking in an incredible show and learning what goes in to making the magic!

Tickets are available now for education groups of 10 or more.  For more details and bookings check out the Aladdin Education website!

5th Avenue Offers a Master Class with Don Darryl Rivera

Don Darryl Rivera at Aladdin's Opening Night, Photo from Broadway World

If you're aged 14-18, love theatre and can be in Seattle on Friday 21st October then 5th Avenue have a treat for you!

A Workshop with Don Darryl Rivera!!

Described by The 5th as "a master of physical comedy who knows how to ground his performance in truth" Don Darryl will help young performers "explore the acting skills that can make audiences laugh in delight even as they are also challenged to be true to new ideals".

If you've ever seen DDR in Aladdin (or watched some of his New Voices performances on YouTube) then you know he's a brilliant character actor, has amazing comic timing and he's one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet so this promises to be an amazing class for all who take part!

You can get all the details at The 5th Avenue's Facebook page and website!

And make sure you check out this great new interview that Jetspace Magazine did with DDR on his move to Broadway, return to Seattle and Broadway Iago Vs Seattle Iago!

Courtney Reed was #LiveAtFive with Broadway.com

Last month Courtney Reed launched her Broadway collection of Gagged Chokers to fantastic sell out success and in case you missed it she also appeared on Broadway.com's #LiveAtFive to discuss her new venture and you can catch the full show right here!!

And that's not all!  She's now launched a new Halloween Collection as well!  So make sure you check them out and give Courtney your support!

Next Stop - Melbourne!

Ainsley Melham as Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer

The Australian production of Aladdin is going on tour!

Next April Ainsley Melham (Aladdin), Arielle Jacobs (Jasmine) Michael James Scott (Genie) and the gang will fly the magic carpet from Sydney's Capitol Theatre to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne!

There's still time to catch them in Sydney where the show is running through to January 8th but make sure you get your tickets now as they're sure to sell out over the holiday season and as the end of the run approaches!

Tickets for both are on sale now from the show's official website so grab yours today!

Aladdin begins performances in Melbourne on 26th April 2017 and is currently booking through to 4th June 2017.

And now for an extra special treat!  This morning Ainsley Melham and Arielle Jacobs performed A Whole New World on The Morning Show and you can watch it right here!

Lia Chang Gets to Know Broadway's New Iago

Alan Muraoka as Iago, Photo by Alan Muraoka (via Instagram)

Whilst Don Darryl Rivera is starring in The Man of La Mancha Broadway veteran Alan Muraoka has returned to the Great White Way for a limited run as everyone's favourite evil sidekick.

Last week Alan Muraoka did a great interview with Lia Chang about his return to Broadway after 12 years and his history with Aladdin (which goes back to before his run as Iago!)

It's a great interview so make sure you check it out right here!

I can't wait to see Alan's performance for myself in a few weeks!