Matt Croke on The Voice UK!

 

Congratulations Matt!!!

The West End's very own Aladdin faced the blind auditions of The Voice UK this week and absolutely smashed it with his rendition of "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge.

Matt's show stopping performance earned him a place on Team Olly and some incredible praise from the panel of judges. Having successfully passed the auditions, he now goes through to head to head battle rounds.

I've honestly not watched The Voice in years but you can bet I'll be tuning in each week and cheering Matt on!

Disney Family Singalong, Disney on Broadway 25th Anniversary Concert and More Bring Joy Amdist Ongoing Lockdowns

As the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak sees much of the world remain on lockdown, the theatrical community has pulled together to provide some light and joy in these dark times. From Instagram live chats and concerts to dance choreography lessons and even full shows, the theatrical community has shown that the show will always go on as they keep a song in our hearts.

As part of ABC's "Day of Hope" last week, Disney Theatrical stars past and present, including Aladdin's James Monroe Iglehart and Michael James Scott, joined together to perform Alan Menken and David Zippel's Go The Distance in honour of all of those on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Tonight, James Monroe Iglehart will reunite with the cast of Broadway's Aladdin to lead them in the show stopping Friend Like Me as part of ABC's Disney Family Singalong at 8pm Eastern. They will be joined by an all star celebrity line up singing some of the most beloved songs in the Disney canon to bring the magic of music into your homes.

Then, tomorrow night, Broadway Cares will be presenting a special presentation of last year's 25th anniversary concert. Recorded live last November, the concert celebrated 25 years of Disney on Broadway with songs and stars from every production from Beauty and the Beast to Frozen. Now, Broadway Cares will be streaming the concert to help all of those in the Broadway community affected by the current crisis. The live stream will be hosted by Ryan McCarton and begins at 7pm Eastern. And from 6pm make sure you check out the Broadway Cares Facebook Live where Syndee Winters will be hosting a Q&A with some of the nights stars including Aladdin's Adam Jacobs and Marisha Wallace. The concert will be available to watch for one week.

On Saturday, April 18th, Adam and Arielle Jacobs will take part in Rising Talent Magazine's Instagram Live Concert where stars will appear for five to fifteen minutes to sing a song and take a few questions to help raise money for The Actors Fund. Adam's set is scheduled for 12:30 EST, I'm not sure on Arielle's time yet but will add it here if it's announced ahead of time.

And there's so much more.

Aladdin's Dance Captain Nikki Long joins with Jennifer Rias and Donald Jones to teach some of the dance choreography for Arabian Nights:

Matt Croke shared this fantastic video of his final performance of Proud of Your Boy that was taken last year;

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#WorldTheatreDay What a difference a year makes! Thinking back to a time when people could enjoy theatre all over the world. Never did I not feel like the luckiest guy in the world to perform this iconic song every night in @aladdinlondon. The positive thing is this crazy uncertain time will pass and Theatre will open again and all the shows that had to sadly close will reopen and our amazing industry will be back better than ever!!!! (Thank you to the person in the audience that sent me this video. It was actually taken on my very last performance in Aladdin - 24th Aug 2019.) Extremely grateful to have this on film.

A post shared by ᴍᴀᴛᴛʜᴇᴡ ᴄʀᴏᴋᴇ (@mattcroke) on Mar 27, 2020 at 9:35am PDT

An incredible performance of Go The Distance;

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Singing a bit of #Disney always brightens your day! Sung by - Me Piano - my old pal @alanwilliamsmd Cello - @hornbergercello Violin - @kathjames Alto flute - @mikeydavis.flute

A post shared by ᴍᴀᴛᴛʜᴇᴡ ᴄʀᴏᴋᴇ (@mattcroke) on Apr 4, 2020 at 9:26am PDT

And a beautiful duet of A Whole New World with none other than Courtney Reed!

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Happy Easter everyone. Another fun one with pal @alanwilliamsmd and this time extra special to sing with my #princessjasmine @rhodesreed By @alanmenken and #timrice Vocals - @rhodesreed and Me Keys - @alanwilliamsmd Cello - @hornbergercello Flute - @mikeydavis.flute Harp - @interestingharpalex @aladdin @aladdinlondon Created by @acapellaapp #aladdinlondon #reunion #aladdin #jasmine #originaljasmine #disney #awholenewworld #lockdowndisney #alanmenken #londondonaladdin #westend #broadway #collab #collaboration #lockdown #makingmusic #eastertreat #eastersunday #carpetride #aladdinduet #disneysaladdin #disneyaladdin #waltdisney #magiccarpet #magiccarpetride #threewishes #theshowmustgoonczj #originalprincessjasmine @catherinezetajones

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The princesses may be on lockdown but that didn't stop Courtney, Susan Egan and Laura Osnes from working some magic with their fairy godfairy for this fun little twist on Go The Distance;

James Monroe Iglehart performed a Disney medley on Good Morning America

And I've already posted the 5th Avenue's long distance master class on theatrical comedy with Don Darryl Rivera!

Alan Menken himself has been singing from his legendary songbook on The Rosie O'Donnell Show in aid of The Actors Fund (and confirms that yes they are still working on the stage adaptation of Hercules!)

Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre shared some of Gregg Barnes' original costume concepts for Aladdin's Pilot Production back in 2011.

There's even some Zoom backgrounds available to make you feel like you're right in the heart of magical Agrabah!

Just remember, somebody always has your back, as James, Michael, Telly Leung and Arielle Jacobs proved when they answered Trevor Noah's call to recreate the hopeful singing that was heard in Italy.

Yo @Trevornoah! The #Broadway & @aladdin family has got your back bruh! @iamMJScott @ArielleJacobs @tellyleung #AWholeNewWorld #SingYourHeartOut #TrevorNoahNewDisneyPrince pic.twitter.com/qo8aowIsfy

— james m. iglehart (@jamesmiglehart) March 23, 2020

And there's so much more. Make sure you keep you eyes on Michael James Scott and the official Disney Broadway Instagram as Agrabah's fierce Genie has been hosting frequent Instagram Take Overs with his fabulous friends.

Stay at home. Stay safe. There will be a whole new world waiting for you to return to when this is over.

Go Behind the Scenes of London's Aladdin

Have you ever wanted to go behind the scenes at the Prince Edward Theatre? With Aladdin ending it's West End run, the Evening Standard got the chance to go behind the scenes with Matthew Croke, Courtney Reed, and Trevor Dion Nicholas to show you how they make theatrical magic every night!

You can check out the video right here, where you'll see the stage, the wardrobe, the beads, the wigs, the bunker (specially made for Aladdin when the show arrived in London), and Matt's dressing room.

What about the magic carpet? Well, that one really is Disney magic and you'll have to see the show for that before it ends this weekend!

You can still get tickets from Disney Tickets!

This is Home - Matt Croke's Solo Debut!

Here's some exciting news! Aladdin may be closing in London next weekend (and I'm still not ready to deal with that), but Matt Croke is just getting started! The star of the West End show has just announced his first ever solo show will take place next month!

This is Home, Matt's solo concert, will take place at the Rotherham Civic Theatre on Saturday, September 14th, where he will perform songs from his incredible debut album Only Dreaming, including some of his favourite songs from Aladdin!

The show will have special guest appearances by Joseph Connor, Luke Bayer, Simon Hance, and, of course, Matt's students from the RMC Academy of Theatre Performance!

Tickets are on sale now so don't miss your chance to see Matt's first solo show!

Matt Croke - Only Dreaming

Tomorrow's an exciting day for musical theatre fans as Matt Croke, the star of London's Aladdin, launches his debut album, Only Dreaming! Featuring songs from stage and screen, Only Dreaming will premiere on iTunes and Spotify tomorrow, with CDs available from the Prince Edward Theatre and Matt's website from 14th December.

Now, everyone reading this knows how big an Aladdin fan I am (obviously!), and Proud of Your Boy is my favourite song in the show so I'm delighted that Matt has recorded his own version of the song for the album! And not only that! He also duets with The Lion King's Nick Afoa (London's Simba) on a mash up of Proud of Your Boy/Endless Night! If you heard this on Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night then you already know how amazing this sounds!

And Nick's not the only member of the Disney family Matt's teaming up with for this album. Trevor Dion Nicholas has Matt's back every night as the Genie to his Aladdin, and joins him for a new recording of Aladdin's Somebody's Got Your Back, whilst Hiba Elchikhe (Australia's Jasmine) joins him for A Whole New World. The album is also produced and orchestrated by Aladdin's West End musical director Alan Williams, so you know it's going to sound amazing!

As well as Aladdin, Matt's debut album features songs from Godspell, Singing in the Rain, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, and more. Disney's Tarzan makes a welcome appearance with Who Better Than Me? and Matt follows in the footsteps of fellow Disney Theatrical stars Adam Jacobs and Norm Lewis with his version of Go The Distance from Hercules. I can't wait to hear that one!

Congratulations Matt! I can't wait to pick up a copy next time I'm at the theatre! Or maybe I'll just download it! I really can't wait :o)

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!

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!

Vote for Aladdin in the West End Eurovision!

It's Eurovision time again!  No, not the one where all the votes are political and we had to bring out Andrew Lloyd Webber to help crack the top 5 (though Jade is now our Jasmine!), the good one, WEST END EUROVISION!

Yes, next month sees the return of Theatre Mad's West End Eurovision in support of the fight against HIV and AIDS.  Next month 8 shows will compete to be crowned the winner, but right now you can help Aladdin win best video indent by texting AL to 82727 (texts cost £3 plus standard message costs, Theatre Mad receives 98% of the donation).

You can check out Aladdin's hilarious indent right here;

And if you want to take be there for the event itself, West End Eurovision takes place on Sunday 22nd April at the Shaftesbury Theatre and you can get tickets and more details at the Theatre Mad website!

Vote for Aladdin's Matt Croke in the Broadway World Awards!

Matthew Croke as Aladdin, Photo by Johan Persson

Voting is now open for the 2017 Broadway World UK West End Awards and London's new Aladdin Matthew Croke has been nominated as Best Performer (Male) in a Long Running Show!!  I say new, Matt's been Aladdin since June, I just still need to see the show again!

He's going to need some help to beat long running favourites like Les Mis and Phantom so please get voting everyone!  And congratulations Matthew on this incredible achievement!!

Cast your vote right here!

There's also an Aladdin alumni up for an award as Marisha Wallace is up for an incredibly well deserved Best Performance by an Understudy/Alternate for Dreamgirls (which Director Casey Nicholaw and Costume Designer Gregg Barnes are also nominated for).

If you need any convincing that these two deserve these awards then check out their incredible performances from London's West End Live earlier this year!

Let's get voting!!

London's Aladdin to Open West End Live

Last year Aladdin didn't have much of a presence at West End Live.  This was understandable though as the show had literally just opened earlier in the week.  The fact that we got Trevor Dion Nicholas giving a tease of Friend Like Me was more than enough.

What a difference a year makes.

This year the cast of Aladdin aren't just taking part in West End Live.  They're opening it!

Friend Like Me seems like a natural fit to open the event (especially after Trev's little tease last year) but I'm hoping we get Matthew Croke's rendition of Proud of Your Boy as well.  That's something I'm really looking forward to hearing.

West End Live 2017 will take place on 24th & 25th June with a jam packed schedule showcasing the very best the West End has to offer for free in London's Trafalgar Square.  Kicking off at 11:00 on Saturday (Gates open 10:30) and 12:00 on Sunday (Gates 11:30) make sure you get there early as this is a popular event and I speak from experience when I say the queues can be long (I watched Trev from the queue last year).

But the Aladdin cast's 15 minute opening segment on Saturday isn't the only time the stars of Agrabah will take to the stage next weekend.  On Sunday you can see Aladdin stars past and present in their own solo segments;

16:05 - Trevor Dion Nicolas & Neighbourhood Goliath (West End's incredible Genie & his band)
16:20 - Marisha Wallace (original Broadway cast, currently slaying it in Dreamgirls)
16:35 - Nathan Amzi (original London cast)

I definitely need to try and get back to London for this!

A New Dawn at London's Aladdin

Matthew Croke as Aladdin, Photo by Disney

On Saturday the original cast of London's Aladdin brought audiences to their feet one last time and even Abu the monkey got to make his West End debut as departing star Dean John-Wilson threw Aladdin's little buddy into the crowd of cheering fans before making his final bow.

Today its a whole new world at the Prince Edward theatre as a new cast begins granting wishes in the West End.

Speaking of wishes - leading the company will be Matthew Croke in the iconic title role of Aladdin and this really is a wish come true for our newest star!



Matthew Croke (Aladdin) with Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie) in rehearsals, Photo by Johan Perrson

And did someone say promotion?  Leon Craig (original Standby Genie/Babkak), Miles Barrow and Daniel de Bourg (original ensemble) will be taking on the roles of Aladdin's trio of pals full time as Babkak, Omar and Kassim respectively.  I love to see hard work, dedication and talent rewarded so I'm really happy for these guys and excited to see what they bring to the trio next time I see the show.



Matthew Croke (Aladdin), Daniel de Bourg (Kassim), Leon Craig (Babkak) and Miles Barrow (Omar) in rehearsals, Photo by Johan Perrson

Completing new principal cast members is Nick Cavaliere, who will be taking over the role of Jafar's scheming henchman Iago.

Jade Ewen (Jasmine) with Don Gallagher (Jafar) and Nick Cavaliere (Iago) in rehearsals, Photo by Johan Perrson

And joining what is arguably the hardest working ensemble in the West End is Chanelle Anthony, Danny Becker, Cindy Belliot, Filippo Coffano, Nolan Edwards, Sinead Kenny, Travis Kerry, Dann Kharsa, Tarisha Rommick, Joshua Steel, Monica Swayne, Niko Wirachman and Damien Winchester.

Cindy Belliot in rehearsals, Photo by Johan Perrson

Sinead Kenny in rehearsals, Photo by Johan Perrson

Original ensemble member Oliver Lidert will now take on the Standby role for Genie, Babkak and Sultan.

I just want to say a massive congratulations to all the new and promoted cast members and to wish everyone, new cast and original cast alike, the very best for tonight's show.  I know it's going to be absolutely magical and I can't wait to get back to London and see you all on that stage!  Makes some magic!!

Matthew Croke and Jade Ewen as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Disney