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!

Major Attaway Returns to Broadway

Major Attaway as Genie, Photo by Matthew Murphy

The Genie Swap is over! Following Michael James Scott's fierce Broadway finale, and fresh from a few months on the road with the US Tour, Major Attaway is back on Broadway!

Major's return reunites him with Clinton Greenspan's Aladdin after Clinton took over the title role earlier this month.

Welcome back Major! Now let's make some magic!!

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

5 Genies Celebrate 5 Years

Disney's Aladdin celebrated 5 magical years on Broadway earlier this month and Disney Theatrical couldn't let such an incredible milestone pass uncelebrated!

Yesterday, in a special "Act 3", Genie's past and present gathered to perform a surprise musical medley of Aladdin's famous numbers for an unsuspecting audience. Current Broadway and US Tour Genie's Michael James Scott and Major Attaway were joined by Broadway Stand Bys Juwan Crawley and Deonte L Warren, and the man who started the magic - Broadway's original Genie James Monroe Iglehart! And James finally got his ballad!

Oh how I wish I could have been in the audience for this! I was grinning ear to ear with pure joy.

Following the special performance cast past and present united to celebrate the show's anniversary and the incredible journey so far.

Here's to five magical years, and, as James said, "see you at the tenth anniversary y'all!"

It's an Aladdin Australia Reunion! Broadway Cast Change Announced!

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

Disney Theatrical announced yesterday that Ainsley Melham will be returning to Agrabah next month as he takes over the title role in Broadway's Aladdin from February 19th!

Ainsley, who originated the role in the Australian production back in 2016, will take over from current Aladdin Telly Leung, who announced last year that he would be taking his final bow at the New Amsterdam Theatre on February 17th.

Ainsley will be surrounded by familiar faces as he makes his Broadway debut, reuniting with his original Jasmine, Arielle Jacobs, and his original Genie.

That's right! Michael James Scott is returning to Broadway! Michael must hold the record for the number of productions he's starred in. After making his Aladdin debut as Broadway's Stand By Genie and Babkak, he went on to originate the role of Genie for Australia before taking over the US Tour, then heading to London for a little Genie Swap with Trevor Dion Nicholas, back to the US Tour, and now taking over the role on Broadway!

Michael will play a limited engagement on Broadway from February 15th through to September 15th whilst Major Attaway, Broadway's current Genie, takes the show on the road with the US Tour. Yep, it's another Genie Swap!

Mike Longo as Kassim in Aladdin's US Tour, Photo by ecdiiiphoto

Ainsley and Michael aren't the only guys returning to Agrabah! Mike Longo, who originated Kassim in the US Tour, will make his Aladdin Broadway debut on February 19th following the final bow of Steel Burkhardt, who has played Kassim since 2014!

It's going to be an exciting year in Agrabah! Congratulations and welcome (back) to Ainsley, Michael and Mike, and congratulations on fantastic runs to both Telly and Steel!

A Little Christmas Magic from Aladdin

Whoopi Goldberg & Major Attaway, Photo by Lou Rocco

It's the most wonderful time of year again!

And what better way to celebrate this magical season than with some musical magic from the cast of Broadway's Aladdin!!

Earlier this week Major Attaway teamed up with Whoopi Goldberg and One Simple Wish, singing songs around the piano at a special surprise party for foster children in New York City and helping to spread some real festive joy.

Major also joined forces with the incredible ensemble of Aladdin, including Genie's past and present, to sing Carols for a Cure! You can hear their fantastic new rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful in Angelo Soriano's Facebook video and you can pick up the CD, in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, right here.

Who needs a magic carpet when you can ride Soarin'?! @tellyleung & @ariellejacobs from Disney’s @Aladdin see “A Whole New World” without leaving Epcot. Catch them in Disney Parks' Magical Christmas Celebration, Christmas Morning on @ABCNetwork. #DisneyChristmasCelebration pic.twitter.com/l4yiWxR0cv

— Walt Disney World (@WaltDisneyWorld) December 21, 2017

The magic doesn't stop there! Telly Leung and Arielle Jacobs recently visited Walt Disney World to give a special performance of A Whole New World which will air tomorrow morning as part of Disney Parks: Magical Christmas Celebration on ABC.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Major Attaway and Clifton Davies to Star in A Broadway Musical at 54 Below

Major Attaway as Genie

The amount of times I write about 54 Below I swear that place must be a home away from home for the Aladdin cast!

On July 16th Major Attaway and Clifton Davies will be trading Agrabah for New York as they bring to life Strouse and Adams' "lost" work A Broadway Musical at Broadway's favourite supper club.

According to Playbill A Broadway Musical had a rocky road to Broadway (with both cast and creative changes following its out of town preview run) and closed on its opening night in New York!  Joining our two Aladdin stars will be a cast of new talent and veterans of the original one night wonder original cast, recreating their original roles for another one night only performance.

It's always a treat to see Aladdin's incredible cast sink their teeth into new material and the addition of cast members from original production of the show mean this is sure to be a night to remember.  Tickets are available now from 54 Below.

Clifton Davis as Sultan, Photo by Walter McBride

You've Never Had Friends Like These!

Don Darryl Rivera and Angelo Soriano

June 8th was National Best Friends Day and to celebrate Disney Theatrical posted a very special video of the cast of Broadway's Aladdin singing Friend Like Me with their BFFs, put together by Aladdin's own Angelo Soriano and Don Darryl Rivera!

Just wait until you see who Jonathan Freeman brought as his friend :oD

Great work everyone!!

54 Below Celebrates the Citizens of Agrabah

Ok this is awesome!!!!

Tomorrow night cast members of Broadway's Aladdin will take part in an evening of cabaret at 54 Below with Brian Gonzales (Babkak) as Master of Ceremonies!

Featuring all your favourite sidekicks - Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Steel Burkhardt (Kassim), Brad Weinstock (Omar) and Brian Gonzales - Aladdin's new Genie, Major Attaway, and Aladdin's incredible ensemble - Kathryn Terza, Alicia Charles, Tia Altinay, Daisy Hobbs, Lauryn Ciardullo, Kathryn Allison, Angelo Soriano, Jacob Dickey (currently starring as Aladdin), Damian Chambers, Trent Saunders, Deonte L. Warren, Nathan Lucrezio, Joshua Dela Cruz, Travis Ward-Osborne, David Gilleo, Stanley Martin, Tiffany Evariste and Amber Owens.

Every time I post about a 54 Below event I say I wish I could be there and boy do I ever mean that right now!  What a show this is going to be!!

I hope everyone taking part and everyone going has a great time!  Tickets are available now at 54 Below!

54 Below normally posts videos on YouTube a few weeks after the show so I can't wait to see all the performances from this one!!

There's a New Genie in Town!

Major Attaway as Genie, Photo by Matthew Murphy

It's the dawn of a new era at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre.  Tonight Major Attaway takes over as Aladdin's new Genie!

I just want to wish Major the very best of luck for tonight and for a long and successful run.  The lamp is yours now, enjoy the ride and make some magic!  You're gonna do great!

The Lamp is Passed on The View!

James Monroe Iglehart and Whoopi Goldberg as Genie!

Last week saw an extra special guest pay a surprise visit to Aladdin as Whoopi Goldberg took to the stage as Genie!

This week that magical moment was shared with the world as The View took viewers behind the scenes at the New Amsterdam Theatre to see how the magic was made.  Then The View played host to two extra special guests as James Monroe Iglehart and Major Attaway dropped by to discuss the passing of the magic lamp!

You can see the whole thing right here;

Watch that I just have to say Major's mom is the best!  That jumper was fantastic!

Whilst preparing for her Aladdin debut, Whoopi and James took a little time to discuss the role with Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher;

.@WhoopiGoldberg, @aladdin's @jamesmiglehart, & @DisneyOnStage's Thomas Schumacher discuss the original "Genie," Robin Williams. pic.twitter.com/4VhpqhjFqd

— The View (@TheView) January 27, 2017

I just love what he says about getting the audience to cheer for freedom and how powerful that is.

And with an extra special performance the lamp is passed;

I've been lucky enough to see both James and Major play the Genie on Broadway and I can safely say that Aladdin has got a fantastic new Genie in Major and James is certainly going to bring some magic to Hamilton!

You can still catch James Monroe Iglehart as Genie until 19th February, then from 21st February Major Attaway will be making the magic.  James will make his Hamilton debut in April.

Major Attaway is Broadway's New Genie!

Major Attaway as Genie, Photo by Disney Theatrical

There's a new Genie in town!  On February 21st Major Attaway will take over the most magical role on Broadway as Aladdin's Genie!  Major is no stranger to the role, having been Stand By Genie for the last year, and now his wish is granted as he takes on the role full-time!

He's got a big magic lamp to fill but I'm sure Major will make the role his own and give audiences all the magic they could possible wish for.  He sure did when I was fortunate enough to see him last year!

Congratulations Major, I wish you all the best for a long and magical run!

And here's wishing a warm Agrabah welcome to Deonte L. Warren to joins the cast as the new Stand By Genie and Babkak!

Welcome to Agrabah! Brad & Major Join Broadway's Aladdin!

This week Broadway's Aladdin welcomed two new cast members as Brad Weinstock and Major Attaway joined Disney's record breaking musical!

Both Brad and Major are making their Broadway debuts in Aladdin!  Brad has previously starred several regional and Broadway in Chicago productions and in the national tours of Jersey Boys and Wicked.  Major has starred in several regional productions including Hot Mikado and Ashman and Menken's classic Little Shop of Horrors.

Photo by Brad Weinstock via Twitter

Brad is making his Broadway debut as our new Omar, replacing original cast member Jonathan Schwartz who took his final bow last weekend.

Major is making his Broadway debut as our new Stand By Genie/Babkak, replacing Trevor Dion Nicholas who is moving to London to star as Genie in Aladdin's upcoming West End premiere!

Best wishes to you both!  I hope you're having a fantastic first week!  I wish you both an incredible run and I look forward to seeing you in the show later this year!