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.
Bud Weber at Aladdin's Opening Night, Photo from Playbill Vault
Michael James Scott at Aladdin's Opening Night, Photo from Broadway World by Linda Lenzi
Today three more original cast members will take their final bow at the New Amsterdam Theatre as the bid the kingdom of Agrabah and Broadway's Aladdingoodbye.
As well as being part of Aladdin's incredible ensemble you may have been lucky enough to see Bud and Marisha in two of the show's main roles as Bud was one of Aladdin's understudies and Marisha was an understudy for Babkak (which I really wish I could have seen).
Michael James Scott was one of the show's amazing Stand Bys and has been on as both Genie and Babkak. I had the pleasure of seeing Michael as Babkak last year and he gave a fantastic performance.
All three will be back on Broadway later this month as they join Aladdin's
Director/Choreographer Casey Nicholaw to help him bring a little Something Rotten! to the stage.
I just want to wish all three the very best of luck and say thank you for all that they have done for the show.
Courtney Reed as Princess Jasmine, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann
A shorter news round up this week (probably because I've finally got back to doing these weekly!) but still plenty of updates from the cast of Disney's latest Broadway blockbuster Aladdin!
The big news of the week was, of course, James Monroe Iglehart's appearance on Gotham. I'm trying to avoid spoilers (the show is still on hiatus here until next month) but it sounds like it was a fantastic episode, so congratulations once again James on your DCU debut!
You can also check out an awesome behind the scenes picture of James with series star Ben McKenzie on JMI's Instagram.
We all know that the cast of Aladdin love to support good causes and this week Princess Jasmine herself, Courtney Reed, announced that she is taking part in Cycle for Survival to help raise money for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to support lifesaving research into rare cancers. I've donated and you can to right here. Courtney's nearly reached her goal already so let's help push her past it! The event takes place on 8th March.
And Aladdin is also showing his support for a good cause this week as Adam Jacobs' donated to Charitable Act, a non-profit foundation that gives underprivileged children the opportunity to learn and enjoy theatre arts at summer camps. You can find out more information and donate yourself by clicking on the link.
With Aladdin now a smash hit on Broadway, Director/Choreographer Casey Nicholaw is keeping busy with two new shows. Tuck Everlasting (featuring Aladdin's original Omar Andrew Keenan-Bolger) concluded it's premiere run this afternoon but Playbill is reporting that the creative team is aiming for a Broadway future. Meanwhile, Broadway World has photo's from the press day of Something Rotten! (featuring Aladdin's own Michael James Scott, Marisha Wallace and Bud Weber) which is set to open on Broadway next month.
It's not long now! On Friday the cast and creative team of The Hunchback of Notre Dame finished re-staging the show for their upcoming run at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse and yesterday they completed their first full run through of the revised show. How much has been changed since last year's US Premiere Production at the La Jolla Playhouse? I've no idea but we'll have the answers soon enough and I can't wait to finally see it!
You can check out the new trailer below;
No new footage in the trailer but here's a few more production images from the La Jolla run of the show to help tide you over until the show opens at the Paper Mill next month (make sure you click the link for more images in part 2 as well).
Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Deen Van Meer
Here we go again! Welcome to the latest news round up for Disney's Aladdin on Broadway! (with a little bit of The Hunchback of Notre Dame thrown in for good measure, but more on that later!)
Firstly, the biggest Aladdin news for this update comes not from Disney Theatrical but from Disney Home Entertainment as they finally announced the American release of Aladdin on Diamond Edition blu-ray on 6th October!
Now I know I live in the UK so shouldn't get too excited over this (we were lucky enough to get the blu-ray of Aladdin way back in April 2013) but I'm just thinking about the special features this new edition could have. The UK edition carried over most of the old Platinum Edition's special features (meaning it's still got some of the best special features of any Disney blu-ray) but since then Aladdin has opened on Broadway. When The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning was released on DVD it included a short special feature taking you behind the scenes of the Broadway show, so I'm just crossing my fingers and wishing for something similar for Aladdin. Maybe something even bigger, looking at how the film went from Howard Ashman's concept to the film version then returned to some of Howard's ideas for stage. Disney aren't exactly known for their amazing special features these days but I'm going to keep on wishing!
Oh, and "A whole new world in a whole new way"? I've definitely heard that somewhere before... Looks like Home Entertainment have been stealing some of Theatrical's taglines!
Back on the stage, Aladdin had a very special edition to its ensemble earlier this month as Jimmy Kimmel Live'sGuillermo joined the cast for one night only!
I'm sorry to announce that later this month Aladdin will be losing three more original cast members. Director/Choreographer Casey Nicholaw is stealing his own cast as Michael James Scott, Marisha Wallace and Bud Weber are all departing Agrabah to join his new show Something Rotten!Rehearsals for the new show started last Monday so all three are currently doing double duty (Something Rotten! rehearsals in the day, Aladdin performances at night) in preparation for their new show's opening next month. I'll do a full post nearer the time but for now I just want to say a massive thank you to all three for their time in Aladdin and congratulations and good luck for their new show.
Something Rotten! isn't Casey's only new production this season. Tuck Everlasting is currently running at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Playbill has your first look at the show, including Aladdin's original Omar, Andrew Keenan-Bolger.
And speaking of original cast members, Broadway's original Kassim, Brandon O'Neill has made a triumphant return home to Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre where he is starring as Billy Bigelow in Roger and Hammerstein's Carousel (running now through March 1st). Below you can see him talk about his time in Aladdin and what it's like coming home to The 5th as well as the newly released sizzlereel for the show;
It's great to see Brandon back on stage again and you can read reviews of the show here and here. Welcome home Brandon.
Here's a new video from Disney Theatrical's YouTube channel which shows Alan Menken, James Monroe Iglehart and Adam Jacobs recording the fantastic Genie Medley from Aladdin's Broadway Cast Recording.
Michael James Scott took part in #SoBlessed Live at 54 Below last weekend. More information about the performance can be found at Broadway World.
And last but certainly not least, Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed did a fun little video with Pop Sugar for Valentine's Day telling you how to achieve a fairy tale love just like Aladdin and Jasmine's. It's a lot of fun :o)
After an incredibly successful run at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse Hunchback's creative team wisely decided not to mess with success so when the cast was announced for the upcoming production at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse it was virtually identical to last year's acclaimed production.
Michael Arden, Ciara Renee, Patrick Page, Andrew Samonsky and Erik Liberman once again lead the cast as Quasimodo, Esmeralda, Frollo, Phoebus and Clopin respectively. And returning in the ensemble are Julian Decker, Mary Joe Duggan, Ian Patrick Gibb, Beth Kirkpatrick, Samantha Massell, Neal Mayer, Nora Menken, William Michals, Anise Ritchie, Vincent Rodriguez III and Richard Ruiz. Joining them for this new production are Joseph J. Simeone, Jeremy Stolle and Dashaun Young and the Continuo Arts Symphonic Choir.
Before starting rehearsals at the Paper Mill several cast members stopped by Broadway Sessions earlier this month.
Congratulations are in order as La Jolla's production of Hunchback took home 3 Craig Noel Awards last week as Alexander Dodge and Howell Binkley picked up the awards for Outstanding Scenic Design and Outstanding Lighting Design respectively whilst Patrick Page took home the award for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical for his portrayal of Frollo. Congratulations everyone!
And not to be outdone by Aladdin and Jasmine, the Belles of Notre Dame put together a little something for Valentine's Day;
Tickets for the Paper Mill production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame are on sale now, and don't forget if you're a member of Disney's D23 you can have the VIP Experience on 15th March!
Hello and welcome to the latest Aladdin Broadway news round up! As I promised last week this edition is going to catch you up and everything that happened over the holidays and in the weeks since so expect quite a few links!
Ok, here we go!
First things first, just before Christmas Aladdin welcomed Steel Burkhardt to the cast as the new Kassim and he was quickly welcomed to this "super" cast;
Steel Burkhardt as Kassim with the cast of Aladdin
Reading Eagle featured Aladdin in their Top 10 Broadway shows in their 2014 Year in Review.
Entertainment Monthly puts James Monroe Iglehart in their Top 10 Broadway Performances of 2014, well done JMI!!
And Disney officially dominated the Broadway box office in 2014 with it's winning combination of Aladdin and The Lion King. The Lion King was the overall highest grossing show of 2014 and Aladdin was the highest grossing new show last year (coming in at number 5 overall). Hopefully this means that Aladdin will be on Broadway for a long time to come!
The Foxville Country Players in Yorkville will be performing songs from Disney's Broadway musicals, including Aladdin in their 4th annual Night of Broadway Fundraiser on 24th January. More details can be found here.
Audra McDonald and the cast of Aladdin, Photo by Joseph Marzullo
Playbill have posted a photo gallery of 6 time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald's visit to Aladdin. You can see the group photo above but make sure to check out Playbill for the rest.
After being the highest grossing new show of 2014 Frontierland Station is reporting that Aladdin has continued its record breaking run into 2015 by once again broke the house record at the New Amsterdam Theatre for the week ending 4th January.
Aladdin took part in Kids' Night on Broadway last week and here's a short Q&A video of Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed answering their questions;
If you have a Disney Visa Card you can now purchase VIP tickets to see Aladdin for performances through July 5th. The VIP package includes Premium Seating, a complimentary (non-alcoholic) drink in a souvenir cup, a lanyard with the show pin and a keepsake photo. Not sure if this has changed but when I went last year the VIP package was the only way to get the show pin and the commemorative photo was James Monroe Iglehart as Genie.
Playbill went backstage at Aladdin to witness the magic that helps bring the show to life 8 times a week. It's a fascinating read into a world that most people will never see but without it the show could not go on.
Broadway World reports that Aladdin's Bud Weber is taking part in a reading of Sing Me Home in LA on 26th January. Tickets to the reading are complimentary so check out the link if you're interested in going!
After leaving Aladdin just before Christmas Brandon O'Neill is back at The 5th Avenue Theatre this year in Carousel and Broadway World have the full cast list for the upcoming production. Carousel runs February 5th through March 1st at The 5th Avenue.
Aladdin's Clifton Davis is to be one of the speakers in the 5th annual Lift Every Voice lecture series on 9th February. As well as playing the Sultan on Broadway, Clifton is also a minister and will speak on "Strength for the Journey: Succeeding Against the Odds". Further details on the event and other lectures in the series can be found here and here.
And in case you missed Jeopardy or like me you couldn't watch it live here's all the highlights;
How awesome was that?!
And speaking of awesome, Broadway.com has listed Adam Jacobs' portrayal of Aladdin as one of the 10 stage turns that really wowed them in 2014. Congratulations Adam!
Aladdin topped Broadway.com's list to be proclaimed their best show of 2014. It didn't quite make it as high on their fan poll but it still made the top 5!
Huge congratulations to James Monroe Iglehart for making it into USA Today's Top Life Photos for their 2014 Year in Review! Incredible achievement, well done!
If you've been missing James' I Dream of Genie vlog (I know I have!!) then Broadway.com have something for you as all their vloggers look back on the year that was!
Disney Legend Alan Menken talks with D23 about his new show Galavant (I hope you're watching, it's brilliant) but also talks briefly about working simultaneously on the Broadway production of Aladdin and the US Premiere production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Speaking of the Disney Legend, here he is singing the soundtrack to your childhood at a recent ABC press event for Galavant. Enjoy!
Not strictly Aladdin related, though it was where I first saw the show, The Spectrum has written a fantastic piece about Tuacahn's Artistic Director Scott Anderson and the Tuacahn's Disney connection (this year the Tuacahn is premiering Disney Theatrical's new revue show When You Wish). And with the Tuacahn being considered for productions of The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Newsies it looks like the Disney connection will be strong with Tuacahn for many years to come! I can't stress enough that if you have the chance to see a show at the Tuacahn then you owe it to yourself to go. It really is a unique experience and the memories will last a lifetime.
Already bought all of the Aladdin show merchandise? Well Don Darryl Rivera has you covered! Check out this new shirt he's created for anyone who's ever wanted to be a Disney villain and get yours here!
And finally a brief update on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. SDGLN's "Best of Theater" list for 2014 was quite extensive and Hunchback received several mentions - one of the best musicals, Scott Schwartz for direction, Patrick Page for his portrayal of Frollo and the set design by Alexander Dodge. Well done all!
The Hunchback of Notre Dame has also been nominated for several Craig Noel Awards;
Outstanding Residential Musical
Outstanding Musical Direction - Brent Alan Huffman
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Male - Patrick Page
Outstanding Lighting Design - Howell Binkley
Outstanding Scenic Design - Alexander Dodge
Outstanding Direction of a Musical - Scott Schwartz
Well done everyone, and good luck!
If you missed it at La Jolla, make sure you catch it at the Paper Mill!
Courtney Reed as Princess Jasmine, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann
Tonight another Disney Theatrical production will begin its road to Broadway and I couldn't be more excited! But more on that in my next post, first here's all the latest news from Broadway's Aladdin!
First up - Playbill reports that tonight at The Lion Theatre in New York two of Aladdin's understudies will be taking centre stage in At This Performance. Bud Weber (understudy Aladdin) and Lauryn Ciardullo (Jasmine) and fellow understudies will share songs and anecdotes about their experiences. Good luck guys, sounds like it will be a great night! Tickets are available at the theatre's box office or through Telecharge (212) 239-6200.
On November 17th Aladdin's Courtney Reed will be taking part in the annual Rockers on Broadway - Teen Idols as Broadway's finest rock the music of the last 50 years to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More information can be found at Playbill and http://www.rockersonbroadway.com/.
Theater Mania are reporting that Aladdin is one of the shows taking part in the 2015's 19th annual Kids' Night on Broadway. Presented by the New York Times Kids' Night on Broadway will take place 9-15th January and will allow a young person age 6-18 to see a Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full paying adult (all tickets are sold in pairs). More details can be found at the official website and tickets go on sale 5th November. Sounds like a great way to introduce more people to the joy of live theatre. Other regional theatres, including Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre that staged the world premiere of Aladdin back in 2011, are also taking part.
Broadway World is reporting that Aladdin's Dance Captain Michael Mindlin will be taking part in the BC Beat showcase in New York on Monday 10th November. BC Beat is a bi-annual choreography showcase, more details can be found at Broadway World. Good luck to Michael and everyone taking part!
With the movie musical having something of a resurgence in recent years, Sundance TV recently sat down with James Monroe Iglehart to talk about movie musicals and Disney classics.
Broadway.com's latest "Gotta Dance!" video features Aladdin's Donald Jones Jr. who shows off his moves whilst talking about the audition that changed his life.
As a little pre-Halloween treat D23 takes us on a ghost tour of Aladdin's Broadway home, the New Amsterdam Theatre;
Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Deen Van Meer
Ok, time for the second of my three promised news updates (three updates, three wishes, I'm seeing an unintended theme here!) This one covers all the Aladdin Broadway news from 11th-20th September and tomorrow's final catch up post will bring us completely back up to date. So, here we go!
James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Disney (Cylla Von Tiedemann?)
First off, competition time!! Aladdin and American Tourister are offering you the chance to win a VIP experience for two including flights to New York, tickets to see Broadway's Aladdin and a special VIP backstage experience! You'll also win a new 3-piece set of American Tourister Duralite luggage and, to help you get started with your Aladdin souvenirs, they're also including a copy of the original Broadway Cast Recording (though I'm guessing most people reading this will already have that, and if not, why not?! It's on iTunes, go!). For your chance to win just head to http://www.caveofwishes.com/ and rub the lamp. This competition is only open to US residents.
On Monday 15th September the American Theatre Wing paid tribute to the legendary Dame Angela Lansbury. Adam Jacobs, Courtney Reed and James Monroe Iglehart were all in attendance and you can see some of the comments and tributes to Dame Angela in the video below. Adam and Courtney both appear at the 2:07 mark followed by James and a very special tribute as he sings Angela Lansbury's world famous Disney song.
Adam Jacobs has certainly been doing his fair share of publicity for the show this month. He and his with Kelly invited Playbill into their home and Metro recently got the chance to spend the day with Adam, going backstage at Aladdin.
The Disney Dose Podcast features a special interview with Adam Jacobs and James Monroe Iglehart. The full podcast is 50 minutes long so I'm still listening now but it's great so far!
Laurell Hamilton (James Monroe Iglehart's favourite author) recently went to see the show and meet the cast backstage and shared her thoughts on her blog. Needless to say, she loved it!
And finally, my best (belated) birthday wishes to Bud Weber! Happy birthday for yesterday!
It never fails, you have a small news round up then there's a rub of the lamp! This Thursday Ben Cameron's Broadway Sessions is presenting a one off special event - A Night in Agrabah!
Taking place at The Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42nd Street, Broadway Sessions is a "fun and zany musical theatre variety show" where you can "get up close and personal with Broadway's brightest as the stars bare their souls, interact with the crowd and celebrate all things BROADWAY."
Tickets can be bought on the door ($5 cover, $15 f/b minimum) and Thursday night's A Night in Agrabah will feature the talents of Aladdin's Courtney Reed (Princess Jasmine), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Marisha Wallace, Dennis Stowe, Bud Weber, Khori Michelle Petinaud,Stanley Martin, Yurel Echezeretta and Jennifer Rias.
The show starts at 11pm (with open mic at 10pm for anyone brave enough to try it!) so if you're in NYC why not see Aladdin first then head on over to catch some of the incredibly talented cast members in a more intimate setting.
I wish I could be there and I hope everyone taking part has a fun night.
