If you’re looking for a family-friendly musical, look no further than Aladdin Broadway. Based on the Disney story, this musical follows a poor man who was granted three wishes after finding a magic lamp with a Genie within. Longing for acceptance and love from the girl he falls in love with, he becomes a prince to win her over. Meanwhile, the princess who needs to marry wants nothing more than to be free to love who she chooses, even a “street rat” named Aladdin.
History of Aladdin on Broadway
Before Broadway, the musical premiered in Seattle in 2011 and then had several productions regionally and internationally. It opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014. With multiple productions across the world since it’s premiere, it is the ninth highest-grossing production on Broadway ever (as of 2020). Aladdin was nominated for five Tonys and won Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.
Who has been in Aladdin Broadway?
There are several actors you may have recognized that have been in the musical.
Adam Jacobs was the original Aladdin. He also played Marius in the Les Mis Broadway revival and Simba in The Lion King.
Telly Leung also played Aladdin. He was also Boq in Wicked and Wes, and one of the Warblers on Glee.
James Monroe Iglehart was the original Genie, a role he won a Tony for. He has also been Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton.
Jonathan Freeman was the original Jafar: both on the Broadway stage and in the movie. He is known for his role as Jafar across multiple Disney works.
Clifton Davis was the original Sultan. He is known for writing “Never Can Say Goodbye” by The Jackson 5. He’s also known for Madam Secretary, Iron Fist, and Amen.
Arielle Jacobs played Jasmine both in Australia and on Broadway. She has also played Nina Rosario in In the Heights and Nessarose in Wicked.
Alan Muraoka played Iago. He’s a director of musicals but you’d also may recognize him as Alan, the current owner of Hooper’s Store, on Sesame Street.
How does it compare to the Aladdin movie?
The musical has inspiration from an earlier draft of the movie. Unfortunately, Abu isn’t in the musical. Nor is Jasmine’s tiger. However, Iago does make it in the form of an actor. Instead, Aladdin and his friends are thieves who are trying to change by being street performers. The movie songs all make it to the musical, but there are also a few additional songs as well. It keeps a lot of the strengths of the movie while adding additional elements.
Fan reviews
Fan opinion is really important to me when considering watching a Broadway show, so here’s what fans had to say.
It was magical.
Tonight while watching Aladdin on Broadway when they sang A Whole New World it made so happy and emotional. I’m here in this beautiful city with the sweetest person I’ve ever met making memories. Thank you @JoLizcano81 pic.twitter.com/1vuTFUL2J8
— Stephanie Cortez (@StephieCo87) November 28, 2022
Lukas said it was mind blowing.
the aladdin broadway show was mind blowing i enjoyed it so much
— lukas (@lucxk1y) November 23, 2022
Families loved it.
Today we took the boy to see the Aladdin musical and his main take was wondering how the genie got in the lamp before he showed up. In his mind, the actor was in that lamp the whole time he wasn’t on stage. Theater truly is magical.
— kueble (@kueble) November 27, 2022
Have you seen Aladdin or do you plan to soon?
