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.
It feels like forever since it was officially announced that Disney's live action Aladdin was getting a sequel. So what's been happening over at the House of Mouse?
According to the film's star, Mena Massoud, not much. In a new interview with Screen Rant, Mena offered the following update:
"They're working on it. They're trying to make it happen. That's really all I know. As you know, usually actors are the last piece of the puzzle, so the studio has got a lot to worry about before they start thinking about the actors."
So the film is officially still in the writing phase. That doesn't mean nothing has happened. Last February it was confirmed that a story direction had been settled on and a year and a half is plenty of time for a script to be written, revised, etc. So hopefully writers John Gatins and Andrea Berloff have been hard at work getting the story into the best possible shape so that Mena and the rest of the cast hear something soon!
For his part, Mena is certainly hoping to return to the role of Disney's famous street rat:
"Obviously, I would hope that all of us come back and Naomi, Will, and I all come back and the rest of the cast, Marwan, Navid, Nasim, everybody. But right now, as far as I know, they're just working on the script and trying to make it happen."
"Yeah. Just manifesting, just manifesting, trying different things. Yeah, there's not much more I can say about that, but, you know, I had heard murmurings that this role was coming up and this is becoming a real thing. So I just kinda wanted to throw my name in the ring and - yeah, just part of manifesting what you want. I think we live in an age now that's so different than '70s, '80s, 90s, Hollywood, where there was no social media. It was really just your representatives, putting things out there for you. But now, we have the ability to to put things out there for ourselves because of social media and because we can put things out there. So yeah, I just wanted to put it out there, I guess."
So does he want to join that galaxy far, far, away? And bring my two favourite franchises crashing together in the process!
"It would be a dream come true. Obviously, I've already had one of my dreams come true with Aladdin. I think I have that under my belt now and thankfully the film did really well, so I think I've proven that I can be successful in that environment. I think it would just be a great opportunity to take everything that I learned on a set like Aladdin and implement it into the Star Wars or DC or Marvel universe. We're talking about manifesting, so yeah, it would be a lot, it would mean a lot. I think I would also do a solid job and work really hard. I like what they're doing with that world and how they're expanding the universe."
Hopefully everything works out and we get to see Mena in both Aladdin 2 and Star Wars soon!
Michael Maliakel & Shoba Narayan as Aladdin & Jasmine., Photo by Matthew Murphy
"Come on down, come on in, let the magic begin..."
Tonight the magic begins again! After almost eighteen months Disney's Aladdin returns to Broadway, bringing with it that joyful energy that the world needs so much at the moment. Tonight, the historic New Amsterdam Theatre will once again be filled with an audience who loves theatre, with music, laughter, and applause. It will be one of the most exhilarating night's in the show's and the theatre's history.
I just want to wish everyone there tonight the very best of luck for this historic reopening. Whether it's your Broadway debut or if you've been with the show from the beginning. From the ushers and backstage crew to the orchestra and stars on stage. You've all earned this. This is your moment. Enjoy it, savor it, and, most importantly, have fun with it and let your joy radiate from that stage tonight. You deserve every success and I hope your reopening night audience is absolutely wild!
I wish we could be there, supporting you in person, but we are one hundred percent there in spirit and I can't wait to see you all in person in November. I'll make sure to give Friend Like Me a standing ovation when I watch the TikTok live stream tonight!
Make some magic everyone, and may all your wishes come true!
Michael Maliakel as Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy
Shoba Narayan as Jasmine, Photo by Matthew Murphy
Michael James Scott (Genie), Michael Maliakel (Aladdin) and the Broadway ensemble of Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy
Last night the new cast of Aladdinperformed in front of a full audience for the first time at their invited dress rehearsal. Tomorrow night the show will officially reopen and after almost eighteen months Broadway's most magical musical will be back! So I thought today would be the perfect time to look back on some of this year's road back to Broadway.
It began this summer, when Disney officially returned to Broadway with Live at the New Am, relighting the marquee of the New Amsterdam Theatre for an incredible concert benefiting The Actors Fund. For four nights from July 22-25, Disney Theatrical stars Michael James Scott (Aladdin), Ashley Brown (Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins), Josh Strickland (Tarzan), and Kissy Simmons (Frozen) brought the magic of Disney music back to the Broadway stage with hits from Disney Theatrical's entire catalog over the last two and a half decades.
The show opened with Hercules's 'A Star is Born' (hopefully a hint that Disney plans a Broadway run for the show in the future)
And then went on to feature this incredible impromptu moment as two Genie's shared the New Amsterdam spotlight for the first time since Aladdin's 5th anniversary!
The audience lost it and I know I would have been crying tears of joy to have witnessed that incredible moment! Broadway was back!
And this month things really heated up as Broadway began reopening. First, Michael Maliakel and Michael James Scott took part in Bloomingdale's Celebrates Broadway on September 9th. It was Michael Maliakel's first public performance representing Aladdin and it's safe to say he did the show proud. I've not been able to find a full video of the event but this video features some highlights from the event (Aladdin starts at 6:58)
Next was Playbill's Curtain Up event on September 19 where Michael and Shoba Narayan performed 'A Whole New World' together for the first time and it sounded just as beautiful as you'd hope.
And finally, on September 23rd Jacob Dickey took to the stage at Broadway in Bryant Park (so happy that's back!!) to perform 'Proud of Your Boy'.
Now, the wait is finally over as tomorrow the magic returns! And Disney Theatrical are live streaming the always incredible 'Friend Like Me'so that fans around the world can share in the joy as Aladdin returns to its rightful home in the New Amsterdam Theatre. Your Broadway wish is, finally, granted.
Michael James Scott and the cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer
Tomorrow night Aladdin returns to Broadway and you can be in the virtual audience as Disney Theatrical will be taking fans back stage during the show before live streaming the pulse pounding extravaganza that is 'Friend Like Me' for everyone enjoy as the magic finally returns to the stage!
This incredible live performance and look behind the scenes will take place on Disney Theatrical's official TikTok page and follows on from the roaring success of The Lion King's 'Circle of Life' live stream when the show returned on September 14th.
According to Broadway World the live stream will begin at 8pm ET/5pm PT when "Aladdin will bring followers backstage during intermission on their reopening night at the New Amsterdam Theatre, culminating in a live performance of 'Friend Like Me'."
I'm assuming the "during intermission" is just an error as 'Friend Like Me' comes during Act One of the show and tomorrow night's reopening performance is scheduled to begin at 7pm so the timing fits perfectly for about half an hour of behind the scenes followed by the live performance.
Since international travel has reopened too late for so many, myself included, to be there in person, I am so grateful that Disney Theatrical are sharing part of this historic night with fans all around the world. The magic is ready to return!
Broadway's Aladdin returned to the rehearsal room on Monday with a brand new cast that can't wait to bring the magic back to the New Amsterdam stage.
Now, Disney Theatrical have shared a first glimpse behind the curtain as Director/Choreographer Casey Nicholaw joins Michael Maliakel (Aladdin), Shoba Narayan (Jasmine), Michael James Scott (Genie), and more as they get ready to grant more Broadway wishes.
Aladdin reopens on Tuesday, September 28, and tickets are on sale now. And, if you want to be part of that magical return, there are even a few tickets available for reopening night!! Tickets for reopening were previously sold out, but I expect we will see availability for that night come and go now as we get closer and people who were hoping to travel internationally (like me) sadly can no longer attend. You guys just promise to cheer extra loud for me!
The wait is almost over! After 18 months the magic is finally coming home to Broadway and today Disney Theatrical announced the cast who will be bringing Aladdin to life when the show reopens at the historic New Amsterdam Theatre next month!
First up is our brand new Aladdin, Michael Maliakel (The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Tour) who will be making his Broadway debut as everyone's favourite street rat! Joining him on the magic carpet is Shoba Narayan (Wicked, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812) as Broadway's new Jasmine!
Returning to grant more wishes is, of course, Agrabah's fiercest Genie, and the only man to play the role in every English language production of the show, Michael James Scott!
Also returning is everyone's favourite villainous duo - Jonathan Freeman and Don Darryl Rivera as Jafar and Iago! Jonathan and DDR have been with the show since the very beginning, all the way back to the world premiere in Seattle, so I'm delighted to see them returning to these iconic roles!
JC Montgomery returns as the Sultan, a role he originated for the US Tour before taking over on Broadway in 2018.
Milo Alosi and Brad Weinstock are returning as Kassim and Omar, and joining them for some high adventures is Zach Bencal as Babkak! Zach originated the role for the US Tour so I'm incredibly excited for him to make his Broadway debut in the role when the show reopens next month.
Also transferring from the Tour to Broadway is Frank Viveros as standby for Genie, Sultan, and Babkak. He will be joining returning standbys Dennis Stowe (Jafar/Sultan) and Juwan Crawley (Genie/Sultan).
Aladdin's incredible ensemble will feature Tia Altinay (who has been with the show since the world premiere in Seattle), Mary Antonini, Netanel Bellaishe, Michael Callahan, Mike Cannon, Matthew deGuzman, Jacob Dickey, Mark DiConzo, Olivia Donalson, Josh Drake, Samantha Farrow, Jacob Gutierrez, Heather Makalani, Stanley Martin, Paul HeeSang Miller, April Holloway, Amber Owens, Jaime Kasey Patterson, Bobby Pestka, Ariel Reid, Tyler Roberts, Jaz Sealey, Charles South, Angelo Soriano, and Katie Terza.
It's an exciting mix of new and familiar faces, and I can't wait to see them all bringing that joyous energy back to the New Amsterdam stage! So please join me in wishing them all a very warm welcome/welcome back, and a massive congratulations to all of the new members of the Aladdin family, especially those making their Broadway debut during this historic return!
One of the best parts about new castings is seeing those joining the cast sharing their reactions to the news. So here's our new Aladdin, Jasmine, and Babkak in their own words!
Ten years ago tonight, at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Disney's Aladdin officially opened.
Before Broadway. Before Toronto. This was the production that started it all. It's the reason this blog exists! I was getting married and couldn't make it to Seattle to see the show so I thought I'd start a blog instead. I reached out to the cast, I reached out to the 5th Avenue, and what followed was more than I ever dared dream of. I've made friends with cast and fellow Aladdin fans on both sides of the Atlantic, I've got to go back stage on Broadway and in the West End. This show literally changed my life for the better and it all started here.
But enough about me. If it changed my life just writing about it, what about those who were actually there? I reached out to the principal cast and some of the creative team to see if they'd be willing to share their favourite memories of that time when they were first putting the show together. I can genuinely say that I was overwhelmed by the response. I received everything from funny stories, to personal back stories created for their characters, to heartfelt messages of what the show means to them.
To start these memories, here is an incredible reflection by David Armstrong, who was 5th Avenue's Artistic Director at the time of Aladdin, along with some beautiful costume sketches kindly provided by Aladdin's Costume Designer Gregg Barnes. As Gregg notes, "everything here was "reimagined" for Broadway" so these were the very first vision for Aladdin's time on stage.
But first, to set the mood, here's the trailer for that original 5th Avenue production:
Proud Of Our Boy!
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since Disney’s Aladdin had its world premiere at The 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle, where I was serving as Producing Artistic Director at the time. There are so many great memories swirling though my head.
Of course, it all started with a phone call from Disney saying that they wanted The 5th Avenue Theatre to partner with them on launching a stage version of their hit animated film. They said that they were not sure what the ultimate goal for the show was. It could be that this production would result in a viable stage version that could be licensed to schools, stock and amateur productions from whom they had been receiving many requests this title. Or, if everything went really, they might consider taking it to Broadway. Based on the show’s subsequent massive worldwide success many people have doubted that Disney every had anything but Broadway in mind – but I can assure that they were sincere in this regard. Remember, this was following their Broadway flops, The Little Mermaid and Tarzan, and they were eager not to repeat those failures, and find a different way to develop this show.
That is why they called us. The 5th had (and still has) an outstanding track record with developing new musicals and bringing them to first life. And we were very good at making them look and feel ready for Broadway, even though they were actually produced on a regional theater budget. Together we developed a plan for Aladdin’s world premiere.
Even though the budget was very modest by Disney standards (and at the top of the range for The 5th) the creative team that was assembled for the show was top of the line in every department. It was especially wonderful to have Director/ Choreographer Casey Nicholaw make a triumphant return to The 5th. Just nine years earlier we had hired Casey for his very first professional job as a choreographer.
The limited budget required that a significant portion of the cast come from Seattle. At first this was challenging for the creative team to wrap their heads around. However, after they came to Seattle for auditions and saw the incredible talent pool that we have here, everyone was in agreement that we would have the level of skill and talent that the show required.
This would ultimately result in three Seattle based cast members going with the show to Broadway. First and foremost is Don Darryl Rivera who created and is still playing the role of “Iago”! The others were Brandon O’Neill who created the role of “Kassim” and has also played that role in the London production, and the amazing dancer Nikki Long, who had appeared in dozens of 5th Avenue Theater productions. They and the other terrific Seattle cast members blended perfectly with Adam Jacobs, Courtney Reed, Jonathan Freeman and all of the other great performers that came out from NYC. I am going to put James Monroe Iglehart in his own category because even though he was based in NY, he had been with us at The 5th for the world premiere of MEMPHIS so we claimed him as part of our 5th Avenue family.
It was clear from the very first preview that the show was a hit, and I had no doubt that it would go to Broadway. Even without all of the spectacular Disney magic and the technical bells and whistles that would be added to the show in Toronto -- the book, music, lyrics and staging were already captivating and magical all on their own. Don’t get me wrong the show looked great in Seattle however, as planned, the costumes were falling apart by closing night and the sets and props would not have held together many weeks more. The focus of this production was always on getting the show up so that everyone, especially the authors and creative team could see what they had.
I could not be more proud of this show -- and the part that my team at The 5th played in bringing it into existence. I especially want to give a shout out to our incredible stage crew, costume shop and wardrobe crew, orchestra and the entire cast of this original world premiere production. Their work lives on in countless ways, large and small, in the Broadway production and when the show reopens this fall, it will be in part because of their passion, dedication and hard work.
David Armstrong
Artistic Director Emeritus of The 5th Avenue Theatre
As David says, so much of The 5th's original production lives on in many ways in the show today. When the show went to Broadway almost all of the original creative team and principal cast went with it, building on and refining that original diamond in the rough until it sparkled like the Broadway smash hit it is today. So it gives me great pleasure to present the cast of 5th Avenue's Aladdin as they look back on the production that started it all, share their favourite memories, and also share a little of what some are doing now/next.
I don't think I can say it better than that.
I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who came back to me and took part in this. And to everyone at 5th Avenue, at Disney (US and UK), to cast members and fellow Aladdin fans around the world, for all of your help, support, encouragement, and friendship over the last 10 years. None of this would have been possible without you and it truly has been a wish come true. To borrow a line from the live action adaptation, "I owe you everything." Ten years! Just, wow!
If you'd like to learn more about 5th Avenue's original production of AladdinI covered the history of the show in detail for both my Countdown to Broadway piece and in my 5th Anniversary celebration. As we celebrate this 10th anniversary, it is only fitting that rehearsals for the show's Broadway return start today. I am so excited for the show to return to the New York stage and just to experience the magic of theatre again. For now though, here's a gallery of images from the show by Mark Kitaoka, Chris Bennion, and others.
Happy 10th anniversary Aladdin. Thanks for all the magic, and here's wishing you many more years to come.
