![]() ![]() Their characters commit to rehabilitating their thieving ways in honor of Aladdin’s recently deceased mother by becoming street performers. Instead of monologuing to a monkey, Aladdin takes to the streets with his ragtag group of friends - Babkak, Omar, and Kassim played expertly this night by understudy Cameron Simian, Ben Chavez, and the enigmatic Colt Prattes. The most successful of these changes is the elimination of Abu, Aladdin’s film companion. While the stage version certainly honors the spirit of the animated movie, there are a few notable book changes, particularly when it comes to the elimination of all the animal characters. Buoyed by the incredible dancing of an elite ensemble and the delightful orchestrations by Danny Troob, this Aladdin will appeal to both fans of the original and those completely unfamiliar with the project. ![]() Roy could have chemistry with a phone book, and his interactions with Martin’s Genie and Senzal Ahmady’s Jasmine make this story soar. Roy’s Aladdin shows immense growth through the show, and his journey to becoming an honest man is nothing short of a Harold Hill moment. It is his performance that grounds the entire production, and because of Roy’s emotional range and natural acting, it all works. Roy, who first played the role of Aladdin in a middle school production, captures the cheekiness of the cartoon version while offering his own interpretation of the rogue thief. Martin as Genie in the North American Tour of Disney’s ‘Aladdin.’ Photo by Deenvan Meer. The chorus skillfully elevates every element of the storytelling, setting the stage for the main action with the principals, led by literal Disney prince Adi Roy as Aladdin and Marcus M. His choreography and direction are inextricably intertwined, using dance to create the unmistakable atmospheres and moods of each setting, from the marketplace to the palace. The curtain is made of a tapestry of ornate rugs, and it rises to reveal the buzzing city of Agrabah, where the ensemble of 14 fills the stage to the brim with the sumptuous choreography of Casey Nicholaw, who also directed the production. Genie begins our journey with “Arabian Nights,” a triumphant, full-company expansion of the film’s original song. No matter the time or place, the magic of Genie and Aladdin can make any day better, and this latest North American tour is no exception. The audience cheered as my problems fell away, just as they used to while watching the well-worn VHS tape of my childhood. But then, the Genie stepped onstage, against the familiar backdrop of Agrabah. After a long day of nannying, teaching, and traffic, I was at a breaking point. I could not have been in a worse mood than when I sat down to two and a half hours of Disney’s Aladdin Wednesday night. ![]()
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