Merwin Foard, Aladdin's Original Standby, Passes Away

Merwin Foard as Jafar (pictured with Don Darryl Rivera as Iago)

It was with great sadness that I learnt this week of the passing of Merwin Foard, who passed away on Monday aged 59.

A Charlotte native, Foard once told the Charlotte Observer "I've never had a normal job." Instead his job was bringing music and joy to millions around the world. Even if you've never seen him on stage, you've almost certainly heard his voice. Foard lent his impressive vocals to the ensembles of almost a dozen of Disney's animated features from Beauty and the Beast to Frozen Fever and, most notably, performed the singing voice for Aladdin's father Cassim in Aladdin and the King of Thieves.

Whether on tour or on Broadway, the stage was his home and Merwin appeared in shows  ranging from Les Miserables to Anne, The Sound of Music to The Addams Family. In 2012 he was the focus of the documentary The Standbys, highlighting the demanding, and little known, world of standbys and understudies on Broadway.

His relationship with Disney Theatrical goes right back to the beginning, appearing in the original ensemble of Beauty and the Beast and as the original Pilot in The Little Mermaid before taking over the role of Chef Louis. Aladdin was Merwin's final Broadway production. As part of the original cast he was Standby for both Jafar and Sultan. I was lucky enough to see him perform as Sultan in 2015, something I'd wanted to see since learning he was Cassim's singing voice, and he was spectacular.

Even as he returned home to Charlotte to seek treatment for liver disease, Merwin continued to perform. His final performance was another Disney production, as Joseph Pulitzer in North Carolina Theater's production of Newsies.

And, no matter how busy he was on stage, Merwin never forgot his roots. Even when working on Broadway he would find time to visit Charlotte Christian School, his alma mater, to talk to the students there about musical theatre and voice acting.

Rest in peace Merwin, thank you for sharing your gifts with the world.

Salaam Worthy Friend - Arielle Jacobs Takes Final Bow as Jasmine

Arielle Jacobs as Princess Jasmine

It's always sad when someone comes to the end of their run, but it's much more so when that run is cut short. Arielle was scheduled to take her final bow next weekend, presumably alongside her original Aladdin, Ainsley Melham, who was due to return to the show this month. Due to the shutdown of Broadway following the outbreak of COVID-19 Arielle played her final performance as Broadway's Princess Jasmine on Wednesday, March 11.

As Arielle said herself, "I didn't know it was my last show and now it's done."

Just hearing that my heart breaks for her. This isn't the ending she deserved.

But, I want this post to be a thank you and a celebration. Arielle has been part of the Aladdin family for four incredible years. After an international search, Arielle was chosen to originate the role of Jasmine for the Australian production of Aladdin. Her casting was first announced in a heart warming video of her and her brother Adam, Broadway's original Aladdin, surprising their parents with the news as they sang A Whole New World together.

After winning the hearts of audiences across Australia in 2016, Arielle joined the Broadway production of Aladdin in 2018 and it wasn't long before she was sharing the stage again with her original Australian co-stars Ainsley Melham and Michael James Scott.

It's been an incredible journey and, whilst this isn't the ending anyone imagined, I just want to say thank you for four magical years and all that you have given to the role and to the show. I wish you all the best for Between the Lines and whatever the future holds. And, who knows, with Aladdin it's never goodbye, it's always until we meet again. So maybe one day you'll get the final bow you deserve.

Broadway Performances Suspended, Austin Tour Postphoned

From the official Facebook page;

"Under the direction of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and for the health and well-being of our theatregoers, cast and crew, Broadway performances of Aladdin have been suspended from March 12 to April 12. For Broadway ticket refund information, please visit aladdinthemusical.com"

The refund page advises that all affected tickets will be refunded at the original point of purchase. Please follow the link for further details.

The refund page also advised that the Austin, Texas engagement of the North American Tour has been postponed. The Texas Performing Arts site advises:

"In further response to the growing concerns over COVID-19 (coronavirus), The University of Texas at Austin has decided to postpone events at its largest campus venues, including Bass Concert Hall, for the immediate future. As result, Texas Performing Arts will postpone all remaining performances of Disney's Aladdin occurring the evenings of March 12 through March 22, 2020 following this decision.

If you are a ticket holder, please hold on to your tickets as we work to bring Disney's Aladdin back to Austin. We will be in touch in the next 7-14 days with more information on the status of this event.

We appreciate the leadership of university and public officials and will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves to ensure the health and well-being of our audience, staff, cast and crew before anything else.

When we are ale to resume performances, we look forward to welcoming you back into a clean and safe gathering space for our community to enjoy the shared experience of seeing stories unfold live on stage.

Thank you for your patience and continued support."

As an Aladdin fan I feel sad that Arielle Jacobs will now no longer get to play her final performance (scheduled for next weekend) and reunite with her original Aladdin, Ainsley Melham, one last time. And for those in Austin who, depending on how this develops, may not get to see the original tour. That said, this is unquestionably the right call as the safety of the cast, crew, and audience must always come first. Stay safe everyone, Agrabah will be back before you know it.

Happy Opening to Courtney Reed in Cambodian Rock Band

Courtney Reed and the cast of Cambodian Rock Band, Photo by Joan Marcus

Here's wishing a magical opening to Aladdin's original Jasmine Courtney Reed as her new show Cambodian Rock Band opens on off-Broadway tonight!

The rock epic direct by Chay Yew, features music by Lauren Yew and songs by the band Dengue Fever, and stars Courtney alongside Joe Ngo, Francis Jue, Abraham Kim, Jane Lui, and Moses Villarama. The story sees a Khmer Rouge suvivor (Ngo) returning to Cambodia for the first time in 30 years as his daughter (Courtney) prepares to prosecute one of the country's most infamous war criminals.

The show, which has previously been played in regional theatres across the US, began previews at the Signature Theatre on February 4th and officially opens tonight! The limited run ends on March 14th and is almost sold out so make sure you get your tickets fast if you want to see the show!

Have an incredible opening night Courtney!

Salaam Worthy Friends - Major Attaway and Clinton Greenspan Take Final Bows as Genie and Aladdin

Clinton Greenspan and Major Attaway as Aladdin and Genie with Aladdin US Tour Cast, Photi by Deen van Meer

This Sunday saw another end of an era in Agrabah as both Major Attaway and Clinton Greenspan took their final bows at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New Year.

For both actors it was the end of a years long magic carpet ride. Major first joined the cast as stand by Genie (and Babkak) back in 2016 before taking over the role full time in 2017. Since then he's been making magic every night. Last year he took part in a little Genie Swap with Michael James Scott, joining the US Tour for seven months and playing to audiences across the country, including his home state of Texas, but he still found time to make it back for the epic five Genie team up to celebrate the show's fifth anniversary. Whilst on tour he also met his new Aladdin, and fellow Texan, Clinton Greenspan.

Clinton was part of Aladdin's US Tour from the beginning. First as a member of the ensemble and understudy Aladdin, then taking over the title role in 2018. After a year and a half on the road, Clinton took over as Broadway's new Aladdin, but not before a quick stop at Disney's D23 Expo where he took part in a special panel celebrating the music of Aladdin from screen to stage and back again.

I was fortunate enough to see Major once, way back in his first year as stand by Genie, but sadly never got chance to see Clinton's Aladdin. From what I have seen online I can see that Clinton was a fantastic Aladdin and Major went from strength to strength as Genie. I wish I could have seen them both together.

I just want to thank you both for all that you have brought to these characters over the last few years and all the magic and joy you have given to audiences. I wish you both the very best for whatever the future holds.

Live Action Aladdin Sequel Officially Moving Forwards

Wish granted!

Now this is the movie news I've been waiting for. First reported by Variety, Disney are officially moving forward with a sequel to the live action Aladdin. Once the first film hit a billion dollars (and incredibly had a longer cinema run than Avengers: Endgame!) this pretty much became inevitable but it's nice to have it officially confirmed at last.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Disney set up a writers room over the summer to generate ideas for the sequel. That's right, this will be an original tale and not an adaptation of The Return of Jafar or Aladdin and the King of Thieves. It's currently not known what the story will be, but it is known that during the writers room Disney and producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich (returning from the last film) were looking at other stories from One Thousand and One Nights as inspiration. Now that they have settle on a story direction, John Gatins (Flight, Real Steel) and Andrea Berloff (Straight Outta Compton, The Kitchen) have been hired to pen the script for the sequel.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Guy Ritchie is set to return as director and the principal cast of Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, and Will Smith are all expected to return. Variety is a little more cautious, saying it's "unknown at this time" whether or not Ritchie will return to the director's chair and noting that, whilst the leads are hoped to return, "offers won't be extended to the cast until a script is ready." Producer Dan Lin did note over the summer that Ritchie returning would be their first choice so lets hope all the stars align and they're able to get the gang back together for the sequel.

The film will be a theatrical release (rather than straight to Disney+) but no mention is made on whether or not this will be a musical. I can't imagine it not being, and the prospect of a new Alan Menken score and several new songs (likely to written with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul who wrote the lyrics for Speechless and the deleted song Desert Moon) fills me with more joy than I can put into words, but I must admit I'll be a little bit nervous until it's officially confirmed.

No release date has been set (best guess would be filming next year for a 2022 release) but for now I'm just happy to know that the film is officially moving forwards. Let's make some magic!!

Cast Changes for Broadway's Aladdin

Ainsley Melham, Michael James Scott, and the Australian Cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer

It's about to be all change in Agrabah as Broadway's Aladdin bids salaam to three principal actors and welcomes some new and some familiar faces.

First up, Clinton Greenspan will take his final bow as Aladdin this Sunday! Clinton, who took over the title role last September, will pass the fez back to Rodney Ingram for a limited run starting on Monday, February 17th. Rodney of course is a familiar face at the New Amsterdam Theatre, having made his Broadway debut in Aladdin and being one of the original understudies for the role.

Rodney's limited run will last roughly a month before another familiar face returns to Agrabah in March. The date is still to be confirmed but Ainsley Melham will once again be bringing Aladdin to life on the Broadway stage. Ainsley of course originated the role in the Australian production before joining the Broadway production for a six month run last year.

Broadway's Genie, Major Attaway, is also taking his final bow this month, bringing his three year run to a close on Thursday, February 27th. Taking over as Genie (again!) will be another familiar face as Michael James Scott returns once more to Agrabah! Michael originally ended his international run on Broadway last year, but even before he took that final bow a brief encore was already planned for his home town of Florida earlier this month. And now he's heading back to Broadway! You just can't keep that man away from the lamp!

And finally, Arielle Jacobs will fly beyond these palace walls as she takes her final bow as Princess Jasmine on Sunday, March 22nd. Depending on the date of Ainsley's return it's extremely likely that Arielle will get to take her final bow alongside her original Aladdin and Genie which is really nice to see.

Making her Broadway debut Marina Pires (On Your Feet! national tour) will take over as Princess Jasmine from March 23rd through May 31st. Playbill notes that a permanent successor for the role will be announced at a later date.

Welcome (back) to Agrabah everyone! And congratulations on your fantastic runs to all those preparing to take their final high adventures!