The Lamp is Passed on The View!

James Monroe Iglehart and Whoopi Goldberg as Genie!

Last week saw an extra special guest pay a surprise visit to Aladdin as Whoopi Goldberg took to the stage as Genie!

This week that magical moment was shared with the world as The View took viewers behind the scenes at the New Amsterdam Theatre to see how the magic was made.  Then The View played host to two extra special guests as James Monroe Iglehart and Major Attaway dropped by to discuss the passing of the magic lamp!

You can see the whole thing right here;

Watch that I just have to say Major's mom is the best!  That jumper was fantastic!

Whilst preparing for her Aladdin debut, Whoopi and James took a little time to discuss the role with Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher;

.@WhoopiGoldberg, @aladdin's @jamesmiglehart, & @DisneyOnStage's Thomas Schumacher discuss the original "Genie," Robin Williams. pic.twitter.com/4VhpqhjFqd

— The View (@TheView) January 27, 2017

I just love what he says about getting the audience to cheer for freedom and how powerful that is.

And with an extra special performance the lamp is passed;

I've been lucky enough to see both James and Major play the Genie on Broadway and I can safely say that Aladdin has got a fantastic new Genie in Major and James is certainly going to bring some magic to Hamilton!

You can still catch James Monroe Iglehart as Genie until 19th February, then from 21st February Major Attaway will be making the magic.  James will make his Hamilton debut in April.

Major Attaway is Broadway's New Genie!

Major Attaway as Genie, Photo by Disney Theatrical

There's a new Genie in town!  On February 21st Major Attaway will take over the most magical role on Broadway as Aladdin's Genie!  Major is no stranger to the role, having been Stand By Genie for the last year, and now his wish is granted as he takes on the role full-time!

He's got a big magic lamp to fill but I'm sure Major will make the role his own and give audiences all the magic they could possible wish for.  He sure did when I was fortunate enough to see him last year!

Congratulations Major, I wish you all the best for a long and magical run!

And here's wishing a warm Agrabah welcome to Deonte L. Warren to joins the cast as the new Stand By Genie and Babkak!

James Monroe Iglehart Prepares to Grant His Final Wish

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Disney Theatrical

I don't know why but I never thought this day would come, or maybe I just wished it wouldn't.  Disney Theatrical announced this morning that James Monroe Iglehart, who's brought the Genie to magical life since the first Seattle try out, will grant his final wish on Sunday February 19th.

So what's next for Broadway's most beloved wish granter?  Hamilton!  Yep, you'll need a real Genie to stand a chance of getting tickets to see him now!  James will take on the dual role of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in April (date to be confirmed) in Broadway's sold out smash hit!

But for the next month you can still catch him making magic and bring audiences to their feet in Agrabah and I would urge you to do just that.  No one makes magic quite like James Monroe Iglehart!

With both James and Adam leaving the show (or at least the Broadway production in Adam's case) it feels a bit like the end of The Return of the King and the breaking of the Fellowship.  Ok, that's probably a bit overly dramatic (unless Disney Theatrical have any more surprise announcements up their sleeve we still have original principals Courtney, Don Darryl, Jonathan and Brian from the Seattle production and Clifton who's been with the show since Toronto) but it really does feel like this is the end of an era in many ways.

James, I wish you all the best for Hamilton and can't wait to see you bring the house down in your final weeks in Agrabah!

Adam Jacobs Taking a Magic Carpet Ride Across America

Adam Jacobs as Aladdin, Photo by Disney Theatrical

Adam Jacobs may be leaving Broadway but he's not ready to hang up his fez and vest just yet as Disney Theatrical announced on Friday that Adam will star in the first National Tour of Aladdin!

Gotta admit, after Playbill announced that Adam was leaving the Broadway production earlier this week I'm overjoyed to learn that he's going to be starring in the tour this April!  This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who couldn't make it to New York to see the original Aladdin live on stage.  You're all in for a magical show, Adam simply is Aladdin.

You can still catch Adam in the Broadway production of Aladdin through to February 12th at the New Amsterdam Theatre (and you better believe I'm looking at flight costs right now!).  The National Tour kicks off in Chicago on April 11th at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.  Tickets for both are available now at www.aladdinthemusical.com

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!

Disney's Broadway Hits to Air on Christmas Day!

The cast of Disney's Broadway Hits, Photo by Manuel Harlan

Last week BBC Radio 2 aired the fantastic Disney's Broadway Hits concert as part of their Friday Night is Music Night series (and you can still listen to the full show right here!)  I can't put into words how much I loved hearing this concert again, but now Sky Arts is going one better with a real Christmas treat for you!

Tomorrow morning Sky Arts will be airing Backstage with Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years at 9am followed by Disney's Broadway Hits at London's Royal Albert Hall at 10am!!  What a Christmas present!!

I can't wait to watch this again and again!  As someone who had tickets to see Tarzan but the show closed a month before I was due to see it, seeing Josh Strickland sing some of those songs in person was something I'd waited over 10 years for and he didn't disappoint.  Finally seeing Ashley Brown live was electrifying.  Hearing songs from Aida and King David live was something I never thought would happen.  The Aladdin finale with Trevor Dion Nicholas and the West End cast raising the roof and bringing the audience to their feet is out of this world.  And, of course, Alan Menken himself singing "Proud of Your Boy", dream come true.  This concert is truly magical so make sure you don't miss it!

Merry Christmas!

Disney's Aladdin Celebrates Christmas on Broadway and in the West End

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

It's the most wonderful time of year once again! And to help put you in the festive mood the Broadway and West End casts of Disney's Aladdin have been carolling for two incredible causes.

The Broadway company of Aladdin have once again teamed up with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to take part in the annual Carols for a Cure album which can be purchased on iTunes or from http://broadwaycares.org/store with all proceeds going to this fantastic cause.

This year they're singing a beautiful rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High"

And on this side of the world, Dean John-Wilson has joined forces with other West End stars along with ensemble members from Aladdin and other shows to record an incredible new rendition of "If We Only Have Love" to raise money for Childline.  The song is available now to download with all proceeds going to this amazing cause.

And if that's not enough Christmas magic for you, then here's last year's fantastic medley from Broadway's Courtney Reed, Nathan Lucrezio, Jaz Sealey and Angelo Soriano!

Merry Christmas everyone!!