Salaam Worthy Friend! Reggie DeLeon Says Goodbye to Iago

Reggie De Leon as Iago

This Saturday saw Aladdin finish it's incredible Los Angeles run at the Hollywood Pantages, bringing to an end the tour's first year and, sadly, Reggie De Leon's run as Iago.

I was lucky enough to see Reggie as Iago last month and he was incredible in the role.  I loved his take on the character, as I am sure countless others have over the last year.

Reggie, I hope you've enjoyed your time in Agrabah!  Here's wishing you all the best for the future!

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.

Aladdin Returns Home & DDR Does Too!

Don Darryl Rivera is Iago in Seattle!

Aladdin is coming home!!  After an incredible run in Minneapolis Aladdin is returning to Seattle where it first premiered in 2011!

Even better, Don Darryl Rivera is coming with it!!!  Yes, DDR is returning home to play Iago!  Seattle is in for a treat!!

And so is Broadway!  Whilst Don Darryl is bringing Iago to life for his home town, Reggie De Leon will be making his Broadway debut bringing the villainous henchman to life in New York!  Congratulations Reggie!!

Aladdin will be playing at Seattle's Paramount Theatre from tomorrow through to 29th October and you can get your tickets right here!  Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to see Seattle's original Aladdin (Adam Jacobs) and original Iago share a stage again!  It's going to be magical!!!

Wish Granted! Aladdin's US Tour Premiere's Tonight!

Adam Jacobs as Aladdin

Make way here he comes!  Fresh from his incredible 3 year Broadway run Adam Jacobs is bringing Aladdin to life once more as Disney's Broadway sensation begins its first US Tour at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre tonight!

Joining Adam in bringing this classic tale to life are Isabelle McCalla as Jasmine, Anthony Murphy as Genie, Jonathan Weir and Reggie De Leon as the villainous Jafar and Iago, JC Montgomery as the Sultan and Zachary Bencal, Philippe Arroyo and Mike Longo as Aladdin's friends Babkak, Omar and Kassim.

You can't make the magic without a phenomenal ensemble and they are Mary Antonini, Michael Bullard, Michael Callahan, Bobby Daye, Lissa Deguzman, Matthew de Guzman, Olivia Donalson, Michael Everett, Karlee Ferreira, Michael Graceffa, Clinton Greenspan, Adrienne Howard, Albert Jennings, Kenway Hon Wai K. Kau, Jason MacDonald, Angelina Mullins, Celina Nightengale, Kameron Richardson, Jaz Sealey (from the original Broadway cast), Charles South, Manny Stark (another Aladdin Broadway alumni who played a fantastic Kassim when I saw the show in February), Annie Wallace and Michelle West.

Completing the cast are Ellis C. Dawson III, as standby Genie and Babkak, and Adam Stevenson, as standby Jafar and Sultan.

You can see the entire cast right here as Broadway in Chicago shared a special preview of the cast rehearsing for tonight's big debut!

The cast of @aladdin has been hard at work creating the stunning world of Agrabah. Tickets available at: https://t.co/VSX7AuYBfp pic.twitter.com/hc2MPsFSLZ

— Broadway In Chicago (@broadwaychicago) April 7, 2017

And with tonight being the big debut, the cast, along with Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher and composer Alan Menken, have been meeting the local press ahead of their premiere, speaking with the Daily Herald, Chicago Sun Times and the Chicago Tribune (the last is an especially touching piece as Alan Menken reflects on his life's work and the influence of Howard Ashman).

After tonight's bow, Aladdin will play through to September 10th in Chicago (a run that's already been extended due to demand), then the magic carpet will travel to Minneapolis' Orheum Theatre from September 15th through to October 8th before returning to the show's birth city of Seattle from October 12th through October 29th with more tour dates still to come.

But that's the future.  For tonight I just want to wish the very best of luck to all of the incredible cast, crew and creative team who are about to bring this show to life.  You've worked hard to get this moment, now enjoy it, you've earned every success.  Make some magic everyone!