The Ultimate Christmas Medley

You may remember this fantastic little Christmas medley from 2015 when Courtney, Nathan, Angelo and Jaz put together this festive treat;

Well now you can get the single on iTunes and Spotify so make sure you treat yourself to this merry Christmas medley, it's the perfect way to ring in the season.

Merry Christmas all!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

As another year draws to a close we're at Christmas Eve once more.  To get you in the festive mood here's some carols and messages from the cast of Broadway's Aladdin!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I Dream of Genie Episode 8

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Your final wish is granted as Broadway.com and James Monroe Iglehart bring I Dream of Genie to its spectacular, musical finale!

In this week's final edition James answers more fan questions in "Ask a Genie" (and promises to keep answering them on Twitter), with backing music supplied one last time by the talented Jaz Sealey, and conducts some impromptu interviews with the awesome Don Darryl Rivera and the head of Disney Theatrical, Thomas Schumacher!

I love this episode!  "Ask a Genie" was as fun as always, the finale was fabulous, but I absolutely love the interviews!  They just capture the feel that James used to have on The JMI Show and I loved it!  Plus for all the years I've been doing this and all the knowledge I like to think I have about Disney Theatrical, watching this I realised I know practically nothing about Thomas Schumacher!  What a career!!  Bringing Cirque du Soleil to America, Walt Disney Animation (including some of the biggest films of the 90s renaissance era), and, of course, Disney Theatrical - from producing 1997's The Lion King to becoming President in 2003 and overseeing everything that's come since and everything that's yet to come (just watch the show!)

Anyway, that's enough from me, watch, enjoy, and say a big thank you to James and Broadway.com for eight magical episodes.  Now, who do I need to speak to about season 2?

I Dream of Genie Episode 7

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Here it is!  The penultimate episode of James Monroe Iglehart's Broadway.com vlog I Dream of Genie!

In this week's episode James tests how famous he really is and gives us another peak behind the curtain at a Saturday Night Dance Party.  At the Broadway Flee Market he bumps into fellow vlogger, If/Then's James Snyder and films a vlog crossover (you can see it in episode 19 of James' vlog Hey Kid around the 5:30 mark).  And of course, no episode of I Dream of Genie would be complete without an edition of "Ask a Genie".  He also answers the question he asked last week - favourite Disney movie and favourite Disney song.  The answers might surprise you.

And as a comic nerd I have to say I totally loved the Harley Quinn figure on JMI's shelf in this episode's intro :o)

So next week's the big finale!  I can't believe it's come around this fast.  If you have any questions left for James, this is your last chance, tweet him at @jamesmiglehart #askagenie and keep wishing for a second season!

I Dream of Genie Episode 6

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Last week saw the release of the sixth episode of James Monroe Iglehart's Broadway.com vlog I Dream of Genie (the 7th episode is just around the corner).

In this episode  JMI asks the cast and crew of Broadway's Aladdin two very important questions - what's your favourite Disney movie and what's your favourite Disney song?  My two favourites have to be Wardrobe Supervisor Rick Kelly's song choice (great sense of humour!) and Don Darryl Rivera's song choice as it's so romantic (yeah, I'm a big softy at heart!)

Also in this episode James answers more of your questions in "Ask a Genie" and gives us an exclusive look at what goes on behind the curtain in the casts' Saturday Night Dance Party!

Two more episodes to go and I'm already praying for a second series!

I Dream of Genie Episode 5

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

After a week hiatus the fifth episode of James Monroe Iglehart's blog I Dream of Genie hit Broadway.com last week!

In this episode James takes us back stage at Seth Rudetsky's Not Since High School benefit concert (which JMI featured in) as he meets the press, performs and then hangs out with the other "Broadway nerds".  And, of course, answers more fan questions in another edition of "Ask a Genie" with backing music once again provided by Jaz Sealey.


On a personal note, I'm very sorry for how late I am in posting this and for the lack of updates recently.  For the last 3 weeks I've been involved with an amateur production of Oliver so between working 9-5 and rehearsals I've let the blog slip much more than I intended.  Things will get back to a more normal schedule this weekend.

I was actually reflecting a little back stage last night as I realised that this Tuesday marked the 1 year anniversary of Aladdin's Broadway cast announcement.  I remember that it had been rumoured to be coming that day and phone signal is terrible back stage at the venue Jane and I do amateur productions with, so I was running outside at every opportunity to get signal to see if the announcement had been posted.  When it finally did hit, and confirmed that the majority of the Seattle principals were to return, I was overjoyed!  I spent the next half hour going in and out between scenes so I could tweet congratulations to the cast and then getting their replies when I got home.  It was a magical day.

I Dream of Genie Episode 4

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Here it is!  The fourth episode of James Monroe Iglehart's vlog I Dream of Genie!

In this episode James introduces us to the back stage crew and the front of house staff at the New Amsterdam Theatre to meet the people responsible for bringing Aladdin to life on Broadway.  Then, with backing music once again provided by the multi-talented Jaz Sealey, JMI answers more of your questions about tap dancing, Theatre Works, and finally answers the burning question - who would win in a battle between the Genie and Harry Potter!

I can't believe this fantastic series has already reached its halfway point!  Getting a small glimpse behind the curtain with James is a weekly treat that I just don't want to end.

I Dream of Genie Episode 3

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Sorry I'm a little late with this.  Earlier this week Broadway.com posted the third episode of James Monroe Iglehart's vlog I Dream of Genie.

In this episode James takes us behind the scenes at a pick up rehearsal and answers the first batch of your questions (you did submit a question on Twitter, right?).  This week is also a little extra special as it has backing music provided by the talented Jaz Sealey.

Enjoy.

Broadway News Round Up 5

I hope everyone has had a good Bank Holiday/Memorial Day Weekend!  Welcome to the first weekly news round up (let's see how long I can keep this up, lol).

First up this week is a very special new video that Disney Theatrical have posted on their YouTube channel - The Surprise Hit of the Season!

Jim Hill interviews James Monroe Iglehart for the Huffington Post about winning his dream role and Aladdin's long road from Seattle to Broadway.

The Wall Street Journal also takes a look at Aladdin's journey to Broadway, talking with Thomas Schumacher, Casey Nicholaw, Chad Beguelin and James Monroe Iglehart about the overhauls it went through in order to become one of the biggest hits this season.

Another positive fan review has been posted.

CBS New York has posted an article on why they feel JMI should take home the Tony Award (and oh how I hope he does!)

Times Square Chronicles talks with Casey Nicholaw and James Monroe Iglehart.

Timeout: Central Florida Entertainment Guide go to diner and back stage with Yurel Echezeretta.

Make sure you vote in the first annual Ghostlight Awards, honouring those behind the scenes who are too often overlooked.  Aladdin has nominees in the following categories;

Best Concessions/Bar Staff - Eric Pagan
Best Dance Captain - Michael Mindlin
Best Dresser - Carrie Kamerer
Best Dresser - Leslie Moulton (Leslie is Don Darryl Rivera's dresser)
Best Merchandise Seller - Heather Card
Best Merchandise Seller - Clint Escandell
Best Usher - Megan Duffy
Best Usher - Josh Garcia

Voting closes tonight so please hurry!

James Monroe Iglehart and Casey Nicholaw talk with Theater Talk;

James Monroe Iglehart talks secrets with Broadway.com.

Courtney Reed has posted a Throwback Thursday Instagram photo of herself and Adam Jacobs from the 5th Avenue's Pilot Production of Aladdin that I'm pretty sure I've never seen before!

Adam Jacobs, James Monroe Iglehart and Casey Nicholaw talk with ABC News about Aladdin and their 1 wish.  Adam's is the most selfless but I really want JMI's wish to come true and I really, really want Casey's wish to come true (though I'd never have the cash or the room if it did!).  It's a great interview and well worth watching.  Like Casey says, this cast loves the film, loves their characters and that comes across on stage, it's what makes them the perfect cast for this.

Jonathan Freeman talks with Entertainment Weekly about Aladdin, all things Jafar and Owen Suskind's story.

Broadway's World's Backstage with Richard Ridge talks with Casey Nicholaw about Aladdin and his career so far.

And finally, congratulations to Jaz Sealey who made his debut as Kassim yesterday!

That's all for this weekend, I'll be back with another news round up next weekend but I have a few more posts coming up tonight as well!

The Final Countdown - Aladdin Begins Toronto Previews this Friday!

This Friday the doors of the Ed Mirvish Theatre will open, the audience will enter, the lights will go down and the pre-Broadway run of Aladdin will begin.

Today is the show's sitzprobe day, after a month of rehearsals in New York and 2 weeks of Tech in Toronto, the cast will be singing with a full orchestra for the first time.  It's an exciting day for any show and I think James Monroe Iglehart summed it up best when he tweeted "Nothing like Menken Music with Orchestra!"
 

Toronto born Jaz Sealey will play Prince Abdullah and understudy Kassim


News keeps coming in from around the web as well.  On Friday the Toronto Star published an article that includes interviews with/comments from Thomas Schumacher, Casey Nicholaw, Chad Beguelin and James Monroe Iglehart, and also has some nice rehearsal pictures from New York (this piece was written before rehearsals moved to Toronto).  The Winnipeg Free News and CBC News have both released pieces focused on Jaz Sealey, the sole Canadian member of the ensemble who portrays Prince Abdullah (if you've ever heard the formerly deleted song "Call Me a Princess" you'll recognise the name) and understudies Kassim.  Both are great articles that give some insight into the audition process, the tone of the show and the creative process of building a show from the ground up.

The World Premiere of this new production of Aladdin: Broadway's New Musical Comedy will be this Friday night!  The official opening night is 21st November and the show will continue through January 5th 2014 before moving to Broadway where previews begin 26th February.  Tickets for the Toronto production can be bought here.  If you can make it to Toronto to see the show then I would urge you to do so.  Not only do you get to see the show before it hits Broadway, but you can also catch a glimpse of the creative process at work as tweaks and improvements are made throughout the shows run (The Little Mermaid had a new ending before the show left Denver).  Plus, it's a great show, the Tuacahn production was the most fun I've had at the theatre in years, true Disney magic at work.