You won't need a magic lamp to experience this crown-pleasing musical. Disney's beloved story about the Diamond in the Rough is brought to thrilling theatrical life in this exciting new Broadway musical. Just as it has on screen for decades, Aladdin's journey sweeps you into an exciting world full of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, this stage adaptation of the beloved animated classic features the iconic film score by the legendary team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, with new lyrics by Sir Tim Rice, along with book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin.
You may recognize the song from the 1992 animated movie on which this new musical, which opened Thursday at the New Amsterdam Theatre, is based. In the film version, Friend is sung by Robin Williams, voicing the role of the genie who comes to our titular hero's aid, at his most breathlessly ebullient. It's an act that would be impossible to reproduce, so Iglehart, abetted by director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw, simply tops it. By the end of the number - which includes a game-show segment, a medley of tunes from other Disney musicals and a succession of winking, twinkling chorus lines - Iglehart's Genie is deliriously huffing and puffing; the audience, which responded at a recent preview with a standing ovation, is just as giddy. If Disney Theatrical's latest production doesn't sustain that frenzied high throughout, it delivers a rush that may surprise folks who attend either as chaperones or to relive their own youths.
For Aladdin, Disney's team builds on the take-no-chances, take-no-prisoners lessons of its six Broadway predecessors to all but guarantee a quality hit: if not a Lion King, at least not a Tarzan. They wrote the book on this sort of thing, and now, Walt be praised, they're going to heave it at you. This is not as unpleasant an experience as it sounds; if you're up for a meaningless fling, it might as well be with a pro... If the whole enterprise is arranged to prevent us from taking anything seriously, why should we respond when we're suddenly asked to care? (Spamalot didn't ask us to.) This also makes the romantic roles mostly unactable, at least by the stiff cuties Disney favors...So here's a new fantastic point of view: What if Disney applied its unparalleled know-how to stories that are not reducible to needlepoint truths at the first act curtain? Aladdin will surely be another of its successes; I hope it is. But what if it put its corporate muscle and smarts behind an artist instead of a franchise? What if they gave us a new West Side Story or Gypsy, instead of just quoting them for anachronistic laughs?
Price: $35.00, credit card only
Where: lottery.broadwaydirect.com/show/aladdin
When: Lottery entries for each performance will be accepted starting 9AM the day prior to the performance until 3PM the day prior to the performance. At that time, the lottery for that performance will be closed. If you are selected as a winner, you have 60 minutes to pay for your tickets via credit card.
Limit: Two per customer
Information: Seat locations are assigned based on availability and at the discretion of the Box Office. Please note, lottery seats may be partial view, behind a pipe and/or in a free standing chair.
2014 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Choreography | Casey Nicholaw |
2014 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Costume Design | Gregg Barnes |
2014 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Featured Actor in a Musical | James Monroe Iglehart |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Adam Jacobs |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Chad Beguelin |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Casey Nicholaw |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | James Monroe Iglehart |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lyrics | Howard Ashman |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lyrics | Tim Rice |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lyrics | Chad Beguelin |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Alan Menken |
2014 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Aladdin |
2014 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | James Monroe Iglehart |
2014 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | Aladdin |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway of Off-Broadway) | Aladdin |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreographer | Casey Nicholaw |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Gregg Barnes |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | James Monroe Iglehart |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) | Natasha Katz |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Aladdin |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Aladdin |
2014 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical) | Bob Crowley |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Chad Beguelin |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Casey Nicholaw |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Disney Theatrical Productions |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Thomas Schumacher |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Aladdin |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Howard Ashman |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Tim Rice |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Chad Beguelin |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Alan Menken |
2014 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | James Monroe Iglehart |
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