Disney Family Singalong, Disney on Broadway 25th Anniversary Concert and More Bring Joy Amdist Ongoing Lockdowns

As the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak sees much of the world remain on lockdown, the theatrical community has pulled together to provide some light and joy in these dark times. From Instagram live chats and concerts to dance choreography lessons and even full shows, the theatrical community has shown that the show will always go on as they keep a song in our hearts.

As part of ABC's "Day of Hope" last week, Disney Theatrical stars past and present, including Aladdin's James Monroe Iglehart and Michael James Scott, joined together to perform Alan Menken and David Zippel's Go The Distance in honour of all of those on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Tonight, James Monroe Iglehart will reunite with the cast of Broadway's Aladdin to lead them in the show stopping Friend Like Me as part of ABC's Disney Family Singalong at 8pm Eastern. They will be joined by an all star celebrity line up singing some of the most beloved songs in the Disney canon to bring the magic of music into your homes.

Then, tomorrow night, Broadway Cares will be presenting a special presentation of last year's 25th anniversary concert. Recorded live last November, the concert celebrated 25 years of Disney on Broadway with songs and stars from every production from Beauty and the Beast to Frozen. Now, Broadway Cares will be streaming the concert to help all of those in the Broadway community affected by the current crisis. The live stream will be hosted by Ryan McCarton and begins at 7pm Eastern. And from 6pm make sure you check out the Broadway Cares Facebook Live where Syndee Winters will be hosting a Q&A with some of the nights stars including Aladdin's Adam Jacobs and Marisha Wallace. The concert will be available to watch for one week.

On Saturday, April 18th, Adam and Arielle Jacobs will take part in Rising Talent Magazine's Instagram Live Concert where stars will appear for five to fifteen minutes to sing a song and take a few questions to help raise money for The Actors Fund. Adam's set is scheduled for 12:30 EST, I'm not sure on Arielle's time yet but will add it here if it's announced ahead of time.

And there's so much more.

Aladdin's Dance Captain Nikki Long joins with Jennifer Rias and Donald Jones to teach some of the dance choreography for Arabian Nights:

Matt Croke shared this fantastic video of his final performance of Proud of Your Boy that was taken last year;

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#WorldTheatreDay What a difference a year makes! Thinking back to a time when people could enjoy theatre all over the world. Never did I not feel like the luckiest guy in the world to perform this iconic song every night in @aladdinlondon. The positive thing is this crazy uncertain time will pass and Theatre will open again and all the shows that had to sadly close will reopen and our amazing industry will be back better than ever!!!! (Thank you to the person in the audience that sent me this video. It was actually taken on my very last performance in Aladdin - 24th Aug 2019.) Extremely grateful to have this on film.

A post shared by ᴍᴀᴛᴛʜᴇᴡ ᴄʀᴏᴋᴇ (@mattcroke) on Mar 27, 2020 at 9:35am PDT

An incredible performance of Go The Distance;

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Singing a bit of #Disney always brightens your day! Sung by - Me Piano - my old pal @alanwilliamsmd Cello - @hornbergercello Violin - @kathjames Alto flute - @mikeydavis.flute

A post shared by ᴍᴀᴛᴛʜᴇᴡ ᴄʀᴏᴋᴇ (@mattcroke) on Apr 4, 2020 at 9:26am PDT

And a beautiful duet of A Whole New World with none other than Courtney Reed!

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Happy Easter everyone. Another fun one with pal @alanwilliamsmd and this time extra special to sing with my #princessjasmine @rhodesreed By @alanmenken and #timrice Vocals - @rhodesreed and Me Keys - @alanwilliamsmd Cello - @hornbergercello Flute - @mikeydavis.flute Harp - @interestingharpalex @aladdin @aladdinlondon Created by @acapellaapp #aladdinlondon #reunion #aladdin #jasmine #originaljasmine #disney #awholenewworld #lockdowndisney #alanmenken #londondonaladdin #westend #broadway #collab #collaboration #lockdown #makingmusic #eastertreat #eastersunday #carpetride #aladdinduet #disneysaladdin #disneyaladdin #waltdisney #magiccarpet #magiccarpetride #threewishes #theshowmustgoonczj #originalprincessjasmine @catherinezetajones

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The princesses may be on lockdown but that didn't stop Courtney, Susan Egan and Laura Osnes from working some magic with their fairy godfairy for this fun little twist on Go The Distance;

James Monroe Iglehart performed a Disney medley on Good Morning America

And I've already posted the 5th Avenue's long distance master class on theatrical comedy with Don Darryl Rivera!

Alan Menken himself has been singing from his legendary songbook on The Rosie O'Donnell Show in aid of The Actors Fund (and confirms that yes they are still working on the stage adaptation of Hercules!)

Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre shared some of Gregg Barnes' original costume concepts for Aladdin's Pilot Production back in 2011.

There's even some Zoom backgrounds available to make you feel like you're right in the heart of magical Agrabah!

Just remember, somebody always has your back, as James, Michael, Telly Leung and Arielle Jacobs proved when they answered Trevor Noah's call to recreate the hopeful singing that was heard in Italy.

Yo @Trevornoah! The #Broadway & @aladdin family has got your back bruh! @iamMJScott @ArielleJacobs @tellyleung #AWholeNewWorld #SingYourHeartOut #TrevorNoahNewDisneyPrince pic.twitter.com/qo8aowIsfy

— james m. iglehart (@jamesmiglehart) March 23, 2020

And there's so much more. Make sure you keep you eyes on Michael James Scott and the official Disney Broadway Instagram as Agrabah's fierce Genie has been hosting frequent Instagram Take Overs with his fabulous friends.

Stay at home. Stay safe. There will be a whole new world waiting for you to return to when this is over.

Michael James Scott Instagram Take Over TODAY!

Who's up for an Instagram take over? Aladdin's resident Genie, Michael James Scott is hosting a fierce take over of Disney Theatrical's official Instagram account TODAY!

Taking place at 4:30PM EST, Michael will be going live with special guest Ciara Renee (Hunchback of Notre Dame's Esmeralda and Broadway's new Elsa). In these dark times this is bound to be a bright spot of Disney magic so don't miss it!

James Monroe Iglehart Guests On Angelique Roche's Creative Quarantine

If you're looking for some brightness in this dark time, the chances are you've already turned to James Monroe Iglehart. From his search for soup on Instagram to his Disney Medley on Good Morning America, James has been keeping people laughing even as Broadway's lights are dark.

So make sure you check out Angelique Roche's Creative Quarantine podcast tonight for a live streamed conversation with the man behind the magic at 3PM EST/12PM PST

You can listen along at bit.ly/creativeq2020

Don Darryl Rivera Host's 5th Avenue's First Cloud Edition of Friday's at The 5th

Let's be honest, we could all use some good news and a laugh at the moment. So why not sign up for The 5th Avenue's Friday at the 5th?

With the theatre closed The 5th are taking their student program online with a series of webinars on Zoom. And the first is a workshop and discussion with Aladdin's Don Darryl Rivera - Make 'Em Laugh! Musical Comic Relief in Uncertain Times.

This free online workshop and discussion takes place TODAY but you might still have time to sign up at The 5th's website. As they say, "our favorite shows have a remarkable way of bringing up important issues while never forgetting that humor and joy are a crucial part of the human experience. How have musicals brightened your day? Who are your favorite musical theater sidekicks? What's feeding YOUR musical theater spirit these days?" After playing Broadway's Iago to hilarious perfection for six years (yes, happy sixth anniversary today Aladdin) DDR is the perfect guy to discuss those questions and their answers.

So join DDR and the 5th for a Q&A and "tech-facilitated group hug" this afternoon at 4PM PST!

UPDATE

If you missed it live you can watch the webinar right here on The 5th Avenue's YouTube channel!

Remaining Aladdin Tour Dates Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Following Thursday's announcement that the Austin leg of the Aladdin tour was being postponed it has now been confirmed that both the San Antonio and Kansas City runs have also been postponed.

Whilst I cannot find the official announcement for the San Antonio postponement, San Antonio Theater's independent guide is listing the production as cancelled. For Kansas City, Broadway in KC has issued the following statement:

"Due to the growing concern over COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, Broadway in KC will be postponing all performances of Disney's Aladdin (April 15-26) until further notice.

PLEASE HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKETS AS WE WORK TO RESCHEDULE THIS ENGAGEMENT. We are navigating an unprecedented situation in real time, and ask for your patience as we work to bring Disney's Aladdin back to Kansas City as quickly as possible. We will be in touch as soon as possible with more information on the status of this event.

Thank you for your patience and your continued support. For updates, visit BroadwayInKC.com"

Whilst both Austin and Kansas City state that they are working to bring Aladdin back as quickly as possible it will most likely NOT be this current production. Reggie De Leon posted on Instagram that "the Aladdin tour unexpectedly played its last performance on Thursday … Love you all, and stay safe everyone!!!"

The first National Tour, which began in Chicago in 2017, was set to conclude it's three year run in Kansas City with a newly configured tour set to launch in fall next year. Best guess (and it is just a guess) is that when Aladdin comes to Austin and Kansas City it will be as part of this new tour.

Korie, Jonah, Kaena, Reggie, Jonathan, Jerald, Zach, Ben, Colt, and everyone involved in bringing this magical show to life these last three years, thank you so much. I'm so sorry it ended in this way, but the magic and joy you have brought to millions is priceless. If I know anything, it's that with Aladdin it's never truly goodbye so I hope to see you all in Agrabah again some day. Thank you for all the high adventures, I wish you all a magical future wherever your paths may lead.

Korie Lee Blossey as Genie with the cast of Aladdin, Photo by Deen van Meer

Johan Ho'okano and Kaena Kekoa as Aladdin and Jasmine, Photo by Deen van Meer

Zach Bencal, Ben Chavez, Jonah Ho'okano and Colt Prattes as Babkak, Omar, Aladdin and Kassim,

Photo by Deen van Meer

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.