Salaam Worthy Friends - Major Attaway and Clinton Greenspan Take Final Bows as Genie and Aladdin

Clinton Greenspan and Major Attaway as Aladdin and Genie with Aladdin US Tour Cast, Photi by Deen van Meer

This Sunday saw another end of an era in Agrabah as both Major Attaway and Clinton Greenspan took their final bows at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New Year.

For both actors it was the end of a years long magic carpet ride. Major first joined the cast as stand by Genie (and Babkak) back in 2016 before taking over the role full time in 2017. Since then he's been making magic every night. Last year he took part in a little Genie Swap with Michael James Scott, joining the US Tour for seven months and playing to audiences across the country, including his home state of Texas, but he still found time to make it back for the epic five Genie team up to celebrate the show's fifth anniversary. Whilst on tour he also met his new Aladdin, and fellow Texan, Clinton Greenspan.

Clinton was part of Aladdin's US Tour from the beginning. First as a member of the ensemble and understudy Aladdin, then taking over the title role in 2018. After a year and a half on the road, Clinton took over as Broadway's new Aladdin, but not before a quick stop at Disney's D23 Expo where he took part in a special panel celebrating the music of Aladdin from screen to stage and back again.

I was fortunate enough to see Major once, way back in his first year as stand by Genie, but sadly never got chance to see Clinton's Aladdin. From what I have seen online I can see that Clinton was a fantastic Aladdin and Major went from strength to strength as Genie. I wish I could have seen them both together.

I just want to thank you both for all that you have brought to these characters over the last few years and all the magic and joy you have given to audiences. I wish you both the very best for whatever the future holds.

Cast Changes for Broadway's Aladdin

Ainsley Melham, Michael James Scott, and the Australian Cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer

It's about to be all change in Agrabah as Broadway's Aladdin bids salaam to three principal actors and welcomes some new and some familiar faces.

First up, Clinton Greenspan will take his final bow as Aladdin this Sunday! Clinton, who took over the title role last September, will pass the fez back to Rodney Ingram for a limited run starting on Monday, February 17th. Rodney of course is a familiar face at the New Amsterdam Theatre, having made his Broadway debut in Aladdin and being one of the original understudies for the role.

Rodney's limited run will last roughly a month before another familiar face returns to Agrabah in March. The date is still to be confirmed but Ainsley Melham will once again be bringing Aladdin to life on the Broadway stage. Ainsley of course originated the role in the Australian production before joining the Broadway production for a six month run last year.

Broadway's Genie, Major Attaway, is also taking his final bow this month, bringing his three year run to a close on Thursday, February 27th. Taking over as Genie (again!) will be another familiar face as Michael James Scott returns once more to Agrabah! Michael originally ended his international run on Broadway last year, but even before he took that final bow a brief encore was already planned for his home town of Florida earlier this month. And now he's heading back to Broadway! You just can't keep that man away from the lamp!

And finally, Arielle Jacobs will fly beyond these palace walls as she takes her final bow as Princess Jasmine on Sunday, March 22nd. Depending on the date of Ainsley's return it's extremely likely that Arielle will get to take her final bow alongside her original Aladdin and Genie which is really nice to see.

Making her Broadway debut Marina Pires (On Your Feet! national tour) will take over as Princess Jasmine from March 23rd through May 31st. Playbill notes that a permanent successor for the role will be announced at a later date.

Welcome (back) to Agrabah everyone! And congratulations on your fantastic runs to all those preparing to take their final high adventures!

Broadway Welcomes Clinton Greenspan as New Aladdin

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.

Here's wishing him a magical run!

D23 Celebrates the Music of Aladdin

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;

Sorry I was a little late posting this, but as this panel was happening Aladdin was saying salaam worthy friend to London and something magical was happening (more on that soon).

New and Returning Cast Announced for Aladdin on Broadway and on Tour

Clinton Greenspan as Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer

Clinton Greenspan has headlined the US Tour of Aladdin since taking over the title role from Adam Jacobs last April. Now, he's taking Prince Ali to New York and making his Broadway debut as Broadway's new Aladdin, taking over the role from Jacob Dickey on September 13th.

And Clinton's not the only one making the trip from Tour to Broadway. After playing the Genie in every English speaking production around the world, Michael James Scott will take his final bow at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Sunday, September 22nd, bringing his historic run to a close. And on September 23rd, Major Attaway will make his triumphant return to Broadway after spending the last seven months on the road.

Major Attaway as Genie

Of course, you can't have Aladdin without Aladdin and Genie! So the US Tour will be welcoming Jonah Ho'okano as Aladdin and Korie Lee Blossey as Genie when the Tour hits North Carolina on September 10th! Korie has been with the tour since the beginning as standby Genie and Sultan, we saw Korie as Sultan when the tour was in LA and he was fantastic so the lamp is in great hands.

Can't wait to see you all making magic!!

Korie Lee Blossey as Genie

Clinton Greenspan is the US Tour's New Aladdin

Clinton Greenspan as Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer

It's a new city and a new star next month as the US Tour of Aladdin moves to Denver with Clinton Greenspan taking on the title role!

Clinton has been with the show and understudied as Aladdin since the tour began last year, now he will make the role his own as he brings everyone's favourite street rat to life.

Speaking with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton said "Aladdin is a story for anyone and all people.  Families, students and adults come to see the show for a great time, and they all experience magic in their own ways.  But most of all, this is a story of love between Aladdin and Jasmine.  The show has these thrilling, magical and colourful elements to it that make it a perfect romantic evening for those with adult sensibilities.  Just know that you're going into something unbelievable."

Clinton won't be the only star in Denver as Jay Paranada and Jed Feder are also joining the cast as Aladdin moves to the mile high city.  They will star as Iago and Kassim respectively as Reggie De Leon and Mike Longo finish their runs in Los Angeles this weekend.

Welcome to Agrabah everyone!  Here's wishing you a magical run!

Aladdin opens at the Buell Theatre in Denver on April 7th and runs through April 28th.  Tickets are available now.