Michael James Scott - Life In The Lamp

Michael James Scott as Genie, Photo by Deen Van Meer

After traveling with Genie around the world, Michael James Scott is back home on Broadway. And this summer Broadway's Genie took fans behind the scenes at the New Amsterdam Theatre as he hosted Life in the Lamp for Broadway.com.

And now you can relive all of the behind the scenes action from Broadway's most magical musical with every episode;

Episode 1 - Welcome

Episode 2 - Happy Pride

Episode 3 - Holiday Week

Episode 4 - B'Way Friends

Episode 5 - Disney Love!

I love this series! Thank you Michael for sharing part of your Genie life with us all!

Have a Chat with Princess Jasmine!

Courtney Reed as Princess Jasmine, Photo by Mark Kitaoka

Sorry I'm late posting this!  Last week Courtney Reed began her #CourtneyChat video series "Beyond These Palace Walls"

You can catch up with the first two episodes right here;

Congratulations Courtney!  Can't wait to see more episodes!!

I Dream of Genie Episode 9

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Well this was a nice surprise!  He'd only just treated us to a musical finale but now JMI is back with a special episode of his Broadway.com vlog I Dream of Genie!

This special episode is all about the legendary Clifton Davis, so watch and enjoy :o)

I Dream of Genie Episode 8

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Your final wish is granted as Broadway.com and James Monroe Iglehart bring I Dream of Genie to its spectacular, musical finale!

In this week's final edition James answers more fan questions in "Ask a Genie" (and promises to keep answering them on Twitter), with backing music supplied one last time by the talented Jaz Sealey, and conducts some impromptu interviews with the awesome Don Darryl Rivera and the head of Disney Theatrical, Thomas Schumacher!

I love this episode!  "Ask a Genie" was as fun as always, the finale was fabulous, but I absolutely love the interviews!  They just capture the feel that James used to have on The JMI Show and I loved it!  Plus for all the years I've been doing this and all the knowledge I like to think I have about Disney Theatrical, watching this I realised I know practically nothing about Thomas Schumacher!  What a career!!  Bringing Cirque du Soleil to America, Walt Disney Animation (including some of the biggest films of the 90s renaissance era), and, of course, Disney Theatrical - from producing 1997's The Lion King to becoming President in 2003 and overseeing everything that's come since and everything that's yet to come (just watch the show!)

Anyway, that's enough from me, watch, enjoy, and say a big thank you to James and Broadway.com for eight magical episodes.  Now, who do I need to speak to about season 2?

I Dream of Genie Episode 7

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Here it is!  The penultimate episode of James Monroe Iglehart's Broadway.com vlog I Dream of Genie!

In this week's episode James tests how famous he really is and gives us another peak behind the curtain at a Saturday Night Dance Party.  At the Broadway Flee Market he bumps into fellow vlogger, If/Then's James Snyder and films a vlog crossover (you can see it in episode 19 of James' vlog Hey Kid around the 5:30 mark).  And of course, no episode of I Dream of Genie would be complete without an edition of "Ask a Genie".  He also answers the question he asked last week - favourite Disney movie and favourite Disney song.  The answers might surprise you.

And as a comic nerd I have to say I totally loved the Harley Quinn figure on JMI's shelf in this episode's intro :o)

So next week's the big finale!  I can't believe it's come around this fast.  If you have any questions left for James, this is your last chance, tweet him at @jamesmiglehart #askagenie and keep wishing for a second season!

I Dream of Genie Episode 6

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Last week saw the release of the sixth episode of James Monroe Iglehart's Broadway.com vlog I Dream of Genie (the 7th episode is just around the corner).

In this episode  JMI asks the cast and crew of Broadway's Aladdin two very important questions - what's your favourite Disney movie and what's your favourite Disney song?  My two favourites have to be Wardrobe Supervisor Rick Kelly's song choice (great sense of humour!) and Don Darryl Rivera's song choice as it's so romantic (yeah, I'm a big softy at heart!)

Also in this episode James answers more of your questions in "Ask a Genie" and gives us an exclusive look at what goes on behind the curtain in the casts' Saturday Night Dance Party!

Two more episodes to go and I'm already praying for a second series!

I Dream of Genie Episode 5

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

After a week hiatus the fifth episode of James Monroe Iglehart's blog I Dream of Genie hit Broadway.com last week!

In this episode James takes us back stage at Seth Rudetsky's Not Since High School benefit concert (which JMI featured in) as he meets the press, performs and then hangs out with the other "Broadway nerds".  And, of course, answers more fan questions in another edition of "Ask a Genie" with backing music once again provided by Jaz Sealey.


On a personal note, I'm very sorry for how late I am in posting this and for the lack of updates recently.  For the last 3 weeks I've been involved with an amateur production of Oliver so between working 9-5 and rehearsals I've let the blog slip much more than I intended.  Things will get back to a more normal schedule this weekend.

I was actually reflecting a little back stage last night as I realised that this Tuesday marked the 1 year anniversary of Aladdin's Broadway cast announcement.  I remember that it had been rumoured to be coming that day and phone signal is terrible back stage at the venue Jane and I do amateur productions with, so I was running outside at every opportunity to get signal to see if the announcement had been posted.  When it finally did hit, and confirmed that the majority of the Seattle principals were to return, I was overjoyed!  I spent the next half hour going in and out between scenes so I could tweet congratulations to the cast and then getting their replies when I got home.  It was a magical day.

I Dream of Genie Episode 4

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Here it is!  The fourth episode of James Monroe Iglehart's vlog I Dream of Genie!

In this episode James introduces us to the back stage crew and the front of house staff at the New Amsterdam Theatre to meet the people responsible for bringing Aladdin to life on Broadway.  Then, with backing music once again provided by the multi-talented Jaz Sealey, JMI answers more of your questions about tap dancing, Theatre Works, and finally answers the burning question - who would win in a battle between the Genie and Harry Potter!

I can't believe this fantastic series has already reached its halfway point!  Getting a small glimpse behind the curtain with James is a weekly treat that I just don't want to end.

I Dream of Genie Episode 3

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Sorry I'm a little late with this.  Earlier this week Broadway.com posted the third episode of James Monroe Iglehart's vlog I Dream of Genie.

In this episode James takes us behind the scenes at a pick up rehearsal and answers the first batch of your questions (you did submit a question on Twitter, right?).  This week is also a little extra special as it has backing music provided by the talented Jaz Sealey.

Enjoy.

I Dream of Genie Episode 2

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Last night Broadway.com posted the second episode of James Monroe Iglehart's vlog I Dream of Genie.

This week it's time to go backstage and meet the cast and it's done in true JMI style.  The cast sing the best rendition of "Happy Birthday" I've ever heard to Khori Petinaud and Don Darryl Rivera has the best copy of the Aladdin VHS ever!!

For next week's episode James is taking your questions!  Tweet your questions to him at @jamesmiglehart using the hashtag #askthegenie

I Dream of Genie Episode 1

James Monroe Iglehart as a Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Tonight (well technically last night since it's almost 2am here in the UK but the Vlog's American so I'm gonna go with it) saw the release of the first episode of James Monroe Iglehart's new Broadway.com Vlog "I Dream of Genie".

I'll post more about it in the morning but for now just make sure to check it our for yourself right here!

Night everyone!

Update - Ok, I'm a little more refreshed now and how awesome was that?!  Back stage at "The View", freestyling with Freestyle Love and Batman, lots and lots of Batman!!  I can't wait to see next week's episode as JMI introduces his Aladdin cast mates!

Broadway News Round Up 12

I know time's meant to go faster as you get old but this is crazy!  You turn thirty and the next thing you know it's been two and half weeks since the last news round up!  Hopefully this will be the start of things getting back on track!

Let's start with the big news of the last few weeks and a man who will have no problem sticking to a weekly schedule - James Monroe Iglehart is Broadway.com's latest Vlogger!!

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Yes, our favourite Genie is now going to be staring in his own video blog series, appropriately titled "I Dream of Genie" for 8 weeks starting from tomorrow!  The full announcement can be read over at Broadway.com.  I can't wait for this series, James is a great guy and a terrific presenter so I have no doubt this series will be insightful, humorous and extremely watchable.  Hopefully it's also a prelude to more episodes of The JMI Show too (hey, a guy can wish, can't he?)

On 25th July James had one of his wishes come true as he co-hosted The View and Disney Theatrical celebrated by releasing a special video;

And Broadway.com have some footage from the show!


Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed teamed up once again, this time testing each other in EW's Disney Pop Quiz (I love how Courtney mimes dinglehopper!)

Courtney Reed, Photo by Bruce Glikas

And, Fresh from her victory over Adam, Courtney had another reason to celebrate the other week as she took part in a special handprint ceremony at Planet Hollywood in Times Square!  Broadway.com and Playbill  both have more coverage and photos from the event, including Courtney celebrating with a MASSIVE bowl of spaghetti, so make sure to check them out.

InStyle also caught up with Courtney recently to find out just how Jasmine looks that good as Courtney shared the secrets behind looking like a real life Disney princess.

Last time I mentioned that Courtney would be taking part in the annual Dare to Go Beyond summer camp and now Broadway World have some photos from the event (I can't see Courtney in them, but she did post some on Twitter).

Earlier this week Aladdin's Marisha Wallace joined other Broadway stars as part of Broadway Sings for The Trevor Project.  More details of the event and the work done by The Trevor Project can be found here.  I'm sorry I didn't know about this in enough time to give people a heads up.

Whilst on the subject of good causes, I want to give another push for support for both Dennis Stowe (who plays Razoul and others in Aladdin on Broadway) and Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher who are both due to take part in Broadway Sleeps Out to raise money for homeless children.

As part of Broadway World's "Broadway Quick Change" series Robert Hartwell helps James Monroe Iglehart put his own stamp on his dressing room with the aid of some trips to Mid Town Comics and Toys R Us (and it looks awesome!)

Between TV appearances, prepping for his video blog and having his room redecorated, James also found time to be an honorary beauty queen at Pageant as he visited the show this week.  Make sure you check out Broadway.com for the hilarious photo!

And of course it's nice to know that Aladdin continues to go strong as it continues to be the best selling new musical on Broadway and Deadline reports that Disney's Broadway Trio (Aladdin, Newsies and The Lion King) between them took almost 20% of Broadway's total box office last week!  Aladdin this week extended it's current booking period through to 1st February 2015 and tickets to the show can be bought from the official website - www.aladdinthemusical.com.

Finally, I just want to wish a belated Happy Birthday to the one and only Omar, Jonathan Schwartz who celebrated his birthday on 30th July!

That's all for this now!  I'll be back tomorrow for JMI's first "I Dream of Genie" and then this weekend for another news round up.