Aladdin Celebrates 1001 Magical Performances in the West End

Yesterday the West End cast of Aladdin celebrated two incredible milestone - their 1000th performance and the even more magical 1001st.

Here's hoping everyone at the Prince Edward Theatre, on stage and off, had a most magical evening as they celebrated this milestone befitting an Arabian Night.

Celebrating 1001 performances at the Prince Edward Theatre ✨ pic.twitter.com/yQlwl7AjXR

— Aladdin The Musical (@AladdinLondon) 1 November 2018

Keep making magic everyone! I can't wait to see you all again soon.

Don Darryl Rivera Hosts 2018 Gregory Awards

Last year Don Darryl Rivera took home Seattle's prestigious Gregory Award for his role as Sancho in 5th Avenue's production of Man of La Mancha. Last night, he took a well deserved night off from playing everyone's favourite evil sidekick, returning to Seattle to host the 10th annual Gregory Awards!

And it sounds like he's just as good a host as he is Disney villain!

At the @GregoryAwards and watching @DonDarrylRivera kicking ass hosting!

— Hannah Schnabel (@Hannielynn1) 23 October 2018

But that's not all! Make sure you keep and eye on DDR's twitter account as he should be sharing some back stage mashups from the event!

Hey, everyone at the @GregoryAwards! Tweet us your mashups!!! I’ve got some delicious prizes backstage waiting for you!!! #GregoryAwards #SeattleTheatre

— Don Darryl Rivera (@DonDarrylRivera) 23 October 2018

Congratulations on hosting this amazing event Don Darryl!

Aladdin's Hiba Elchikhe and Irvine Iqbal Star in Broken Wings This Weekend

If you're in London this week make sure you head over the Theatre Royal Haymarket where Hiba Elchikhe (Australia's Jasmine) and Irvine Iqbal (London's Sultan) are starring in the new musical Broken Wings!

Hiba leads the cast as Selma Karamy with Irvine starring as the Bishop.

I wish I'd posted this sooner (and I wish I could go this weekend). You can still get tickets for tomorrow night and Saturday's two shows right here.

Here's wishing everyone involved (especially our Agrabah royalty) a fantastic run!

And here's a little taste of the show;

Aladdin Brings the Magic to West End Live!

Yesterday the cast of London's Aladdin played to a packed audience at West End Live!

If you couldn't make it, or if you just want to re-live the magic, Official London Theatre have posted the full performance for you to enjoy!

You've gotta love Leon, Julian and Daniel wearing shirts that match their Babkak, Omar and Kassim costumes!

West End Live continues today, with Disney's The Lion King at 12:10pm, and Aladdin's own Trevor Dion Nicholas joining a host West End stars to take it home at 4:00pm.

UPDATED!

I'm well overdue adding this! Here's the always amazing Trevor Dion Nicholas from West End Live!

And here's London's original Babkak, Nathan Amzi bringing even more Disney magic to West End Live with Hunchback's 'Out There'

God I'd love that show to come to London!

A Warm Agrabah Welcome to Aladdin's New London Cast!

Trevor Dion Nicholas and the West End cast of Aladdin

Tonight is the night! As Aladdin embarks on it's 3rd amazing year in the West End, it does so with an incredible cast of new and familiar faces.

Please extend a warm Agrabah welcome to Fred Johanson (or welcome back in Fred's case, the West End's original standby and now full time Jafar), Julian Capolei (making his West End debut as Omar), and our incredible new ensemble members Koko Basigara (making her Jasmine debut today!), Robertina Bonano, Angeline Bell, Abigail Climer, Nordine Ezzahr, Blythe Jandoo, Abigail Johnson, Victoria Layzell, Phil Mennell, Dominic Sibanda and Justin Thomas.

And a massive congratulations to Jermaine Woods who is taking over the role of Iago!

The incredible returning cast includes Matthew Croke (Aladdin), Jade Ewen (Jasmine), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie), Irvine Iqbal (Sultan), Leon Craig (Babkak), Daniel de Bourg (Kassim), Danny Becker, Bianca Cordice, Kevin Stephen-Jones, Nolan Edwards, Melanie Elizabeth, Anthony Hewitt, Travis Kerry, Dann Kharsa, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Richard Murphy, Ian Oswald, Tarisha Rommick, Kyle Seeley, Ricardo Spriggs, Joshua Steel, Kayleigh Thandani, Niko Wirachman and Damien Winchester.

You were all phenomenal at this afternoon's dress rehearsal (and a massive shout out to the amazing Leon Craig for that invite! Thank you so much!!). Tonight is your night, enjoy it, have fun with it, and make some magic! 

Salaam Worthy Friend! Reggie DeLeon Says Goodbye to Iago

Reggie De Leon as Iago

This Saturday saw Aladdin finish it's incredible Los Angeles run at the Hollywood Pantages, bringing to an end the tour's first year and, sadly, Reggie De Leon's run as Iago.

I was lucky enough to see Reggie as Iago last month and he was incredible in the role.  I loved his take on the character, as I am sure countless others have over the last year.

Reggie, I hope you've enjoyed your time in Agrabah!  Here's wishing you all the best for the future!

Aladdin's Matthew Croke Nominated for Mousetrap Award

Matthew Croke as Aladdin

A massive congratulations to Matthew Croke as the entire West End Aladdin team on their recent Mousetrap Award nominations!!

Matthew has been nominated for best male performer and the show has been nominated for Best Design and Soundtrack of My Soul!

Congratulations everyone!  Here's hoping all your wishes come true when the awards are presented on Sunday 13th May!

And if you're a young theatre goer age 15-24 then you can join in the vote right here!

Aladdin Opens in Hollywood!

Michael James Scott as Genie, Photo by Michael James Scott

Tonight Aladdin opens in the one place that might have more glitz and glamour than Agrabah - Hollywood!  Finishing the first year of its US Tour in style, Aladdin is making the Hollywood Pantages Theatre its home from now until 31st March.

Did someone say reunion?!  Fresh from his incredible run as Genie in Australia, Michael James Scott is back in the US and back in blue as he takes on the role once again for the Tour's Hollywood run!  And, of course, Courtney Reed, is playing her final weeks as Jasmine on tour with her original Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, from 13th January to 18th February (I still can't put in to words how happy I am that these two will be back together for her final shows!)

Whilst Courtney is in LA, Isabelle McCalla will be making her Broadway debut as Jasmine!!!  Congratulations Isabelle!!

The Tour has been on fire so far and this Hollywood run promises to simply magical!  So make sure you don't miss out and get your tickets now.

Here's wishing everyone involved with the show an incredible run and a magical opening tonight!

One Last Night for Broadway's Princess

Courtney Reed as Princess Jasmine, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

I keep telling myself that this isn't the end.  That Courtney still has one more month as Jasmine, reuniting with Adam Jacobs and Michael James Scott at Hollywood Pantages Theatre for the final leg of her Disney journey.  This isn't the end.  But it is an ending.  Tonight, Courtney Reed will play her last Broadway performance and take her final bow at the New Amsterdam Theatre after four incredible years as Broadway's original Princess Jasmine.

What can I say about Courtney that I haven't said before?  She is one of nicest, kindest people you could ever meet.  She's so incredibly giving to everyone, just look at all the social media memories that are pouring out today from fans, friends and cast mates alike.  And I'm biased but she's also the greatest Jasmine you'll ever see.  It breaks my heart that Jane and I couldn't be there to support her in person for this performance, but we're totally there in spirit (yes Courtney, I'm definitely crying along with you tonight!)

Tonight isn't the end.  It's a celebration of an incredible journey that's lasted 10 years!  From early workshops to Seattle Pilots, from Toronto previews to Broadway success, to launching her own business to singing at the White House.  Like her journey, Courtney is truly remarkable.  Tonight is a celebration of that journey so far. And once that final bow comes next month, I can't wait to see where she'll go in the future.

Enjoy tonight Courtney, I hope it's magical
xoxo

Broadway's Princesses Take Their Party to the West Coast

Courtney Reed at a Broadway Princess Party, Photo by Nessie Nankivell

After five sell out engagements in New York, Broadway's favourite princesses are taking their magic carpets and pumpkin carriages on the road to the West Coast!

Aladdin's Courtney Reed will be joining Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast) and Laura Osnes (Cinderella) for a special three night event at the Segerstrom Centre for the Arts starting tonight!  In addition to their evening performances there will also be a special matinee performance at Citrus College on the 16th December.

So if you've always wanted to see one if these fantastic events but couldn't make it out to NYC this is your chance to catch these incredible ladies on the West Coast.  You can find more information on the event right here.

Tickets are available here (matinee tickets can be found here).

But that's not all! In addition to this West Coast event, the Broadway Princesses will be returning to New York's 54 Below next February for another one night only event on 11th February.  Tickets will go on sale tomorrow for Club 54 members and on Friday for the general audience.  The guest line up for this event hasn't been announced yet, but I suspect Arielle Jacobs may be representing Aladdin ahead of her Jasmine debut on the 20th so let's give her a big, warm, Agrabah welcome!