This blog is dedicated to Disney's Aladdin: Broadway's New Musical Comdey. Following a successful Pilot Production at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in 2011, and regional and international productions in 2012, Disney announced that Aladdin would be coming to Broadway in 2014. Aladdin had it's pre-Broadway engagement at Toronto's Ed Mirvish Theatre and opened on Broadway 20th March 2014.
The Genie Swap is over! Following Michael James Scott's fierce Broadway finale, and fresh from a few months on the road with the US Tour, Major Attaway is back on Broadway!
On Sunday an Aladdin legend took his finale bow at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre.
Michael James Scott began his Agrabah journey as the original stand by Genie and Babkak when the show premiered in Toronto for it's pre-Broadway run in 2013. I was fortunate enough to see him playing Babkak the week the show opened on Broadway. After a year on Broadway, Michael left Aladdin and joined the original Broadway cast of Something Rotten, another musical comedy from Casey Nicholaw. But Agrabah was calling to him. In 2016 could finally call the lamp his own as he headed to the land down under to originate Genie for the Australian production where earned mid-show standing ovations and won a Helpmann Award for his performance (Australia's equivalent to a Tony).
Since then he's never looked back. From Australia to the US Tour, then to London (where I finally got to see him as Genie!), back to the US Tour, and, finally, back to Broadway. Not as a stand by, but as the only man who has headlined the show in every English speaking production around the world!
It's an achievement I don't think anyone else will ever match. Michael, Agrabah is going to miss you. Thanks for all the high adventures, all the magic, all the energy and passion you have given to this show for over 5 years. Enjoy your "well earned rest." And that EPIC cake!
But...
"Till another Arabian Night" is right. Agrabah keeps calling! And this time it's calling him home. Michael will return to Agrabah one more time next year as the US Tour hits his home state of Orlando.
"The pride, joy and fierce excitement of having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring this iconic role, in a show I'm so proud to be a part of, back to the city where it all started for me feels like the biggest dream come true," Michael said in a press release, "I'm the product of Orlando, a city that is a big supporter of the arts and gives young artists the tools and opportunities needed to pursue their dreams. So many people have helped me, and my family, make this dream a reality. I can't believe I have the chance to come back home to show my beautiful city their return on investment."
Despite appearing on stages around the world, this will be Michael's first professional appearance on an Orlando stage. Even though he's officially finished as Genie, playing the role in his home town is a "gift" from Disney Theatrical he told the Orlando Sentinel.
Aladdin, with Michael granting his final wishes as Genie, will play at Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from January 22nd to February 9th, 2020. Tickets are on sale now.
Aladdin's US Tour is currently playing in Charlotte, North Carolina until this Sunday, next stop is Durham, North Carolina.
Clinton Greenspan as Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
Fresh from the US Tour and making his Broadway debut, Clinton Greenspan is Broadway's new Aladdin!
Clinton first took over the title role in the US Tour from Adam Jacobs last year and now he's riding the magic carpet all the way to New York City. Tonight, Clinton will take his first bow on Broadway at the historic New Amsterdam Theatre as the new Aladdin.
Korie Lee Blossey as Genie and Ensemble, Photo by Deen van Meer
Tonight, Aladdin's US Tour welcomes a new street rat and a new Genie as Jonah Ho'okano joins the cast as our new Aladdin and Korie Lee Blossey takes on the phenomenal cosmic role of Genie as the show opens in North Carolina!
To celebrate, Disney Theatrical have released new production images featuring Jonah and Korie along with their incredible castmates;
Jonah Ho'okano as Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
Jonah Ho'okano and Kaena Kekoa as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Deen van Meer
Zach Bencal, Ben Chavez, Jonah Ho'okano & Colt Prattes as Babkak, Omar, Aladdin & Kassim, Photo by Deen van Meer
For Jonah this is his Agrabah debut, whilst Korie has been with the US Tour from the start as Standby Genie and Sultan. I saw Korie a Sultan in LA and he was fantastic, I'm sure he'll be a truly magical Genie. They join a cast featuring Kaenaonalani Kekoa as Jasmine, Patrick R. Brown as Jafar, Reggie de Leon as Iago, Jerald Vincent as Sultan, Zach Bencal as Babkak, Ben Chavez as Omar, and Colt Prattes as Kassim.
Aladdin opens at the Belk Theater tonight and runs through to September 29th. Tickets are available here.
Clinton Greenspan as Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
D23 was last month and with a billion dollar blockbuster and the original animated classic set to hit home release, not to mention a successful stage show playing around the world, Aladdin received a very special musical celebration.
Hosted by the voices of Aladdin and Jasmine, Scott Weinger and Linda Larkin, the panel was a musical journey through Agrabah that took attendees from screen to stage and back again. The panel united four Aladdins as Weinger was joined by original singing voice Brad Kane, US Tour star and Broadway's next Aladdin Clinton Greenspan, and surprise guest Mena Massoud from this year's live action blockbuster. And now you can share in this magic carpet ride as Disney Dwayne has posted panel highlights and all of performances on YouTube!
The panel highlights include looks behind the scenes at the original classic and live action reimagining, Mena Massoud's surprise entrance, and a recording of Scott Weinger singing Proud of Your Boy (!) with Alan Menken (!!).
Aladdin's original singing voice, Brad Kane, took to the stage for One Jump Ahead and sounds just as good as he did 30 years ago;
Cut from the film, Proud of Your Boy lives on in the musical adaptation and Clinton Patrick treated the audience to this beautiful ballad;
Before Aladdin came to Broadway, another stage adaptation played for years at Disney's California Adventure, and Deedee Magno Hall, the Hyperion's original Jasmine, flew to D23 just to perform To Be Free;
The live action adaptation of Aladdin took the world by storm earlier this year and the D23 panel had two treats for fans. The new hit Speechless performed by Lillias White;
And the cut scene/song Desert Moon introduced by Mena Massoud;
A full quality version of this scene (which is included on the home release of Aladdin) has now been released by Disney.
And of course the panel ended in the only way it could, with A Whole New World. Sung by the incredible Norm Lewis and Regina Belle I honestly wish this had been the single version attached to the movie, it's just beautiful and a perfect way to end this musical celebration of Aladdin;
Another era ends today as Aladdin's Australian tour packs up the flying carpet and returns to the lamp as the cast take their final bows in Singapore.
It's been an incredible high adventure over the last three and a half years. After travelling across Australia, the Oz production took the magic to New Zealand, back to South Australia, and finally to Singapore where the show bid audiences goodbye after an incredible 1,034 shows in 7 cities.
I just want to say a massive thank you to the incredible cast and crew who have brought the magic to life each night since 2016. Now it's time for a well earned rest. Hopefully the magic will be back down under one day. We'll always cherish the joy and the passion you gave that made this show a wish come true.
