DVDizzy Forum

Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed, who co-starred as Aladdin and Jasmine in the Seattle premiere of Disney's Aladdin, will reprise their performances in Toronto and on Broadway. Producers announced the complete cast for the musical Sept. 16 — the first day of the production's rehearsals.

As previously reported, Aladdin will premiere Nov. 1, prior to an official opening Nov. 21, at Toronto's Mirvish Theatre for a run through Jan. 5, 2014. Broadway previews will begin Feb. 26, 2014, at the New Amsterdam Theatre towards an official opening March 20, 2014.

James Monroe Iglehart, of Broadway's Memphis, will also reprise his performance as the Genie, and Jonathan Freeman, who voiced the nefarious villain Jafar in the 1992 animated Disney film and reprised his performance on stage, will again play Jafar.

Brian Gonzales, Brandon O'Neill, Jonathan Schwartz will play Aladdin's sidekicks Babkak, Kassim and Omar, respectively, and Tony nominee Clifton Davis will play the Sultan with Don Darryl Rivera as Iago. Merwin Foard and Michael James Scott will standby for several principals.


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he stage production, which expands the 90-minute film into a two-act format, has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by the late Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Nicholaw directs and choreographs.

Menken previously told Playbill.com that the stage production incorporates many ideas he and Ashman conceived for the 1992 film that never made it to the screen. Among them are a trio of Aladdin's friends, Omar, Babkak and Kassim, as well as a handful of early songs including "Proud of Your Boy."

Here's how the new musical is billed: "Aladdin, adapted from the Disney film and centuries-old folktales including 'One Thousand and One Nights' is brought to fresh theatrical life in this exuberant new musical. Aladdin's journey will sweep audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage."

Aladdin will be designed by six-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, three-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.

The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer and hair designer Josh Marquette. The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who will also create the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.

DisneyJedi wrote:In light of Jonathon Freeman reprising his role as Jafar...

Permission to link a video of M. Bison shouting yes?

TsWade2 wrote:Looks like it's time for revenge!

Because Newsies should of won a Tony for Best Musical instead of that boring not exciting musical Once. And no I am not interested to see Once. Whether it comes to my town or not.

zackisthewalrus wrote:

TsWade2 wrote:Looks like it's time for revenge!

Because Newsies should of won a Tony for Best Musical instead of that boring not exciting musical Once. And no I am not interested to see Once. Whether it comes to my town or not.

Honestly, while "Newsies" was good, "Once" was really good as well.

I believe that "Aladdin" will do well in TONY season, but it will find some competition in "If/Then" and other new musicals I'm sure.

DisneyJedi wrote:I just hope it doesn't end up going the same route as The Little Mermaid did when it hit Broadway.

thedisneyspirit wrote:Was there a big problem with Mermaid? I heard some of the new songs and I thought most of them were nice.

TsWade2 wrote:Here's the video of their rehearsal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USig3ZxnkH4

DisneyJedi wrote:

thedisneyspirit wrote:Was there a big problem with Mermaid? I heard some of the new songs and I thought most of them were nice.

I'm pretty sure the problem people had with it was the execution of the show, such as the costumes for the sea folk, including the mermaids, and the use of heelys for the "swimming" effect.