Salaam Worthy Friends - Telly Leung & Steel Burkhardt Take Final Bows on Broadway

Telly Leung as Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy

Another era has come to an end, as Broadway's second Aladdin bids farewell to Agrabah.

Today Telly Leung and Steel Burkhardt will both take their final bows at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre. Telly, who took over from original Aladdin Adam Jacobs, has been with the show since 2017, whilst Steel, who took over the role of Kassim from Brandon O'Neill, has been part of the show since 2014!

Steel Burkhardt as Kassim, Photo by Steel Burkhardt

Speaking with Playbill earlier this week, Telly said "Being a part of this beautifully talented, diverse, dynamic company at The New Am has been pure joy for me. I want to thanks Casey for the opportunity, and Tom and Anne at Disney for letting me lead this company these last two years. It's been a privilege and an honor. I will miss all the citizens of Agrabah, and I will definitely miss this beautiful show that gives such magic and happiness to 1,700 people a night. What a ride! A magic carpet ride I will never forget."

For my part, I wish I could have seen Telly in the role. From everything I have seen, I know he's been an incredible Aladdin who has truly done the show proud. Steel, I have been lucky enough to see several times and I know he's an incredible performer who has been an integral part of the show for over four years. I just want to say thank you to you both, for everything you have given to these characters and to Aladdin.

I wish you both the very best for the future. Thanks for all the high adventures, and here's to many more to come!

Telly Leung to "Sing Happy" Tonight at Birdland

Tonight, Broadway's Aladdin is leaving the majesty of Agrabah for glitz and glamour of New York as Telly Leung debuts his solo concert Sing Happy at Birdland.

The star of Aladdin, Allegiance, Godspell, and Rent will take audiences on an intimate musical journey from Brooklyn to Broadway, from the dizzying heights of Broadway openings to career-threatening events. If you want to get to know the man behind the magic, this is his story.

And if you want a little sneak preview you can check him out in rehearsals right here thanks to Playbill.

Tickets for the event are still available at the Birdland's website, so if you're free in NYC this evening make sure you check it out!

Telly Leung to Take Final Bow as Broadway's Aladdin

Telly Leung and Major Attaway as Aladdin and Genie with the cast of Broadway's Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy

Today Telly Leung announced that he will be taking his final bow as Broadway's Aladdin next year after almost two years as Disney's favourite Diamond in the Rough. Taking to social media, Telly wrote;

Well, it's time. Time to depart Agrabah. My last day as a street rat on Broadway will be on Sunday, February 17, 2019 - so if you haven't seen it, get your tickets now! I'm filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience. Not only was it a dream-come-true to lead a Broadway musical as a Disney prince, but it was also a chance to meet some of the most talented artists and kindest humans ever assembled under one theatrical roof. There is something magical happening at The New Am (on and off stage) and I am forever thankful for the chance to be a part of the Aladdin - The Musical family. Thanks to everyone who supported me on this incredible carpet ride. The countdown begins - and I intend to go out savoring every joyful minute of this experience. #agrahbye #teladdin

Broadway's Aladdin is currently booking through to March 2019 so you can get tickets for the remainder of Telly's run right now at the show's official website. There's even great seats left for his final shows so make sure you get your tickets sooner rather than later!

It's unusual for a cast change at Aladdin to be announced this far in advance, so if you haven't seen Telly in the role, make sure you take this chance!

Personally, I'm sad that I likely won't get the chance to see Telly before he finishes his run. I know he's been an incredible Aladdin and I wish I could have seen that in person.

Telly, I just want to wish you a magical remainder of your run and thank you for all that you have brought to the character. Keep making magic.

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!!

Aladdin's Telly Leung to Perform at Michener Art Museum

Telly Leung as Aladdin & Major Attaway as Genie & the Broadway cast of Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy

Tonight Broadway's new Aladdin, Telly Leung, is taking a night off from making wishing and flying carpets to appear in PNC Arts Alive's Broadway: Cabaret at the Michener at the Michner Arts Museum alongside Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) and Eden Espinosa (Wicked).

More details on the performers can be found at the Michener's website.

It's always great to see these incredible performers in a more intimate environment.  I just want to wish Telly and everyone attending and taking part a fantastic evening.

Telly Leung Sings Proud of Your Boy

Telly Leung as Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy

Last night was Telly Leung's first night as Broadway's new Aladdin and to celebrate here's a video of him performing Aladdin's solo ballad (and my favourite Disney song ever) Proud of Your Boy at this year's Stars in the Alley concert!

After two trips in less than six months I'm not sure how soon I'll be able to go back to Broadway but I really hope I get chance to catch Telly's Aladdin, it looks like he's going to give a fantastic performance.  Hopefully Disney Theatrical will release some official clips soon as I'm dying to hear how he sounds singing A Whole New World with Courtney!

Telly Leung Debuts as Broadway's New Aladdin!

Telly Leung as Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy

It's finally time!  Tonight, Telly Leung will take his first bow as Broadway's new Aladdin!

It's been an interesting road to Agrabah for Aladdin's newest star.  First reported by Playbill back in January, Telly's casting wasn't officially confirmed by Disney Theatrical until May 5th.  Since original Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, departed to headline the national tour the title role has been played by both Joshua Dela Cruz and Jacob Dickey, and now it's Telly Leung's turn to make a wish, say a prayer and make the title role his own.

Speaking with ET Online on Friday, Telly showed that he already has a great grasp on the character and his emotional journey in the show saying "Aladdin has to learn that his own worth is not something that's material, it's not something that's outside of him, it's something that's inside of him ... Your worth is not the clothes you wear, your worth is not the big house you live in, or how much money you have in the bank.  It's something deeper than that"

I just want to wish Telly a fantastic opening night and a magical run in this incredible show.  Have fun and make some magic!

Telly Leung to be Broadway's Aladdin!

Well it looks like the Genie's out of the lamp on this one!  On 11th January Playbill reported that Telly Leung will be replacing Adam Jacobs as the title star of Disney's Aladdin!

Whilst Disney Theatrical have not yet confirmed Playbill's story (and if past experience is anything to go by they likely won't until the day of the cast change) some of the show's cast have already taken to social media to welcome Telly to the show so it's safe to say that he will be our next Aladdin!

No date has been announced for Telly's debut or Adam's final show but expect both some time next month when the casts' current contracts end.

Welcome to Agrabah Telly!  I wish you a magical run with the show!