The Magic is Back! Aladdin Announces UK and Ireland Tour!

 

"Let's make some magic!"

The magic is back!! Disney's Aladdin returns to the UK this year with the first ever UK and Ireland tour!

Announced this morning, the tour will premiere this October at the Edinburgh Playhouse where it will run from 24th October to 18th November. From there it will move to the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff (7th December 2023 to 14th January 2024), the Theatre Royal in Plymouth (17th January to 11th February 2024), the Sunderland Empire (15th February to 10th March 2024), and the Milton Keynes Theatre (24th April to 19th May 2024) with move venues to be announced.

Tickets go on sale Friday, 31st March, but you can sign up for priority access now via the official Disney Tickets website.

In a statement released this morning Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, said:

"As Aladdin approaches its second decade on stage, we are thrilled that the 11th production of the glorious Broadway show will soon be seen by audiences throughout the UK and Ireland.

Thanks to Casey Nicholaw's direction, Alan Menken's music and the peerless design team of Bob Crowley, Natasha Katz and Gregg Barnes this show is a powerful tonic, an irresistible lift for every audience who sees it.

The musical theatre performers in the UK and Ireland rival any on the planet and we look forward to presenting the best of them in this joyous new production."

I am so excited as the show has been absent from the UK since the West End production closed on 24th August 2019 (and we're still waiting on that live recording). And speaking of that live recording, check out this teaser that Aladdin's official UK social media accounts have been sharing:

✨‘Shining, shimmering, splendid’ news… ✨ Disney’s spectacular Broadway and West End musical, ALADDIN, is set to fly into a city near you as it embarks on a UK & Ireland tour from October 2023! To discover more and to get early access to tickets visit: https://t.co/laOXcQVkN9 pic.twitter.com/bBpl2OK0Vo

— Aladdin The Musical (@AladdinOnStage) February 24, 2023

Yes, that's London's Genie Trevor Dion Nicholas, only I've never heard him deliver that line like that in any previous promotional material so I'm guessing it comes from that long awaited live recording! So that's a cool promo for the tour and (hopefully) a little tease at the live recording as well!

One more cool teaser - this one promoting the first venues for the tour!

Disney’s spectacular Broadway and West End musical, ALADDIN, will be flying into @EdinPlayhouse, @theCentre, @TRPlymouth, @SundEmpire and @MKTheatre!

Tickets go on sale soon - sign-up now to get early access to tickets https://t.co/laOXcQVkN9 pic.twitter.com/3QiH3dpZAC

— Aladdin The Musical (@AladdinOnStage) February 24, 2023

Aladdin will be taking audiences to a whole new world, one city at a time across the UK from October. See you there!

Broadway Princesses On Tour!

Courtney Reed, Photo by 54 Below

"I'm going to see the world, too"

That's what Jasmine said at the end of The Return of Jafar, and it's just what Broadway's original Jasmine is doing!

Yes, Courtney Reed is hitting the road with Susan Egan (Broadway's original Belle), Laura Osnes (Broadway's original Cinderella) and their Fairy Godfairy, Benjamin Rauhala, as they take the Broadway Princess Party on a US tour!

And they've launched a website!!

But that's not all! A guest Prince will be joining our royal heroines in every city, and first up is Courtney's Aladdin - Adam Jacobs!!

Adam will be joining the princesses in LA on 17th August at the Club Kraftland theatre (above That's from Disneyland) and in Minneapolis and Chicago as well!

Tickets are on sale now for LA, Minneapolis (18th August), Chicago (19th August) and Newark (15th September) and are coming soon for Overland Park (18th January), Lincoln (19th January) and Bellevue (26th January).

In their own words; "casual attire is permitted, but princess prizes will be awarded for the best cosplay costumes!"

And if you want a little teaser, here's Adam and Courtney, reunited at the last Princess Party, performing 'A Whole New World' together for the first time since they both finished their Aladdin runs earlier this year;

Some things you just never get tired of hearing. These two will always be my Aladdin and Jasmine.

Genie Swap!

Trevor Dion Nicholas' lamp is all packed and ready to head back home to Pittsburgh this summer!

For a limited time only, the West End's original Genie is trading places with the US Tour's incredible Michael James Scott so that he can bring this iconic character to life in his home town.

Speaking about the move Trevor said, "My time here in the West End has been absolutely incredible so far, and I am beyond proud to call London my new home. Still, being presented with the chance to perform this phenomenal show as Genie in Pittsburg is something I cannot pass up.  In a city so close to where I grew up, having an audience full of family and friends, is another dream come true."

Michael James Scott, who's journey mirrors Trevor's from Broadway standby to leading an international production, is just as excited to be switching lamps! Saying "Playing this iconic role of Genie has taken me all over the world, something I never even dreamed of. My 'Genie Brother' Trevor Dion Nicholas has raved about his time in London, so to be a part of this awesome Genie swap and return to play the West End again is an enormous Genie-sized gift. I just can't wait!"

I just love that Disney Theatrical gives its cast members opportunities like this, allowing them to switch between productions so they can play their home towns. It's an amazing gift, not just to the actors but to their friends and families as well.

The US Tour of Disney's Aladdin is currently playing in Philadelphia, with stops in Boston and Buffalo this summer. Trevor will join the tour for it's runs in Pittsburgh from August 22nd - September 9th, Atlanta from September 12th - 23rd and New Orleans from September 26th - October 7th!

Michael James Scott is joining the West End production of Aladdin from August 17th - September 30th.

And here's the announcement from the Genie himself!

🇺🇸 here I come! #GenieExchange #Pittsburgh #Atlanta #NewOrleans pic.twitter.com/Hprtl8ox65

— Trevor Dion Nicholas (@astonishingtrev) 14 June 2018

US audiences are in for an incredible treat when this home town superstar hits the stage of the Benedum Center later this year!  And I can't wait to finally see Michael James Scott as Genie!  He was sensational as Babkak when I saw him in the original Broadway production and I missed him in LA earlier this year, so I'm really excited to see what he brings to the role!

Aladdin Opens in Hollywood!

Michael James Scott as Genie, Photo by Michael James Scott

Tonight Aladdin opens in the one place that might have more glitz and glamour than Agrabah - Hollywood!  Finishing the first year of its US Tour in style, Aladdin is making the Hollywood Pantages Theatre its home from now until 31st March.

Did someone say reunion?!  Fresh from his incredible run as Genie in Australia, Michael James Scott is back in the US and back in blue as he takes on the role once again for the Tour's Hollywood run!  And, of course, Courtney Reed, is playing her final weeks as Jasmine on tour with her original Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, from 13th January to 18th February (I still can't put in to words how happy I am that these two will be back together for her final shows!)

Whilst Courtney is in LA, Isabelle McCalla will be making her Broadway debut as Jasmine!!!  Congratulations Isabelle!!

The Tour has been on fire so far and this Hollywood run promises to simply magical!  So make sure you don't miss out and get your tickets now.

Here's wishing everyone involved with the show an incredible run and a magical opening tonight!

Jacob Dickey Takes Over as Aladdin on Tour

Jacob Dickey as Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy

The US National Tour of Aladdin has a new leading man as Jacob Dickey stepped into the title role last week (June 8th) following a month of bringing the character to life on Broadway.

Broadway in Chicago have stated that Jacob is temporarily taking over from Adam Jacobs who is "on a minor medical leave of absence until further notice".

I wish Adam a full and speedy recovery and hope to see him back in the show soon.  I also wish Jacob a fantastic run as Aladdin during his time in Chicago.

Aladdin is playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through to September 10th.

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!

Next Stop - Melbourne!

Ainsley Melham as Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer

The Australian production of Aladdin is going on tour!

Next April Ainsley Melham (Aladdin), Arielle Jacobs (Jasmine) Michael James Scott (Genie) and the gang will fly the magic carpet from Sydney's Capitol Theatre to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne!

There's still time to catch them in Sydney where the show is running through to January 8th but make sure you get your tickets now as they're sure to sell out over the holiday season and as the end of the run approaches!

Tickets for both are on sale now from the show's official website so grab yours today!

Aladdin begins performances in Melbourne on 26th April 2017 and is currently booking through to 4th June 2017.

And now for an extra special treat!  This morning Ainsley Melham and Arielle Jacobs performed A Whole New World on The Morning Show and you can watch it right here!

Ring Bells, Bang the Drums! Aladdin is Going on Tour!!

If you can't make it to New York then the magic carpet is coming to you!

Disney Theatrical today announced the North American Tour of Aladdin!  The first stop on this magic carpet ride is a 12 week engagement in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from April 11 to July 2 2017 with future venues still to be announced.

Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher announced the tour saying "We've had the privilege of entertaining more than one million people in New York City with Casey Nicholaw's glorious production.  I am delighted that audiences in Chicago and throughout North America will soon have the opportunity to experience Aladdin in their own back yards."

"Aladdin will be the fourth new production we've launched in Chicago in 16 years.  Chicago's canny audiences, its theatrical infrastructure and its stunning theatres make it a peerless town for creating new productions.  We are thrilled to return with Aladdin."

Lou Raizin, President of Broadway in Chicago, added "We are excited Chicago will be the first North American city outside of New York to see Aladdin."

Group bookings (for 15 people or more) are now on sale and you can find more details at the show's official website http://www.aladdinthemusical.com/tour where you can also sign up for email updates.

Call me sentimental but I really hope that Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre is one of the stops on the tour!