"Alan Menken is working on new songs for the planned Broadway version of Aladdin set to open for the 2008/2009 season. The song, "To Be Free" from the Disney Land show is said to be included. Jasmine will probably have one more song. A song for Jafar is also rumored to be written, also Menken is said to be using old material dropped from the film to use for the musical."
Another website has confirmed a book writer:
"Well, as part of the advance publicity for 'The Wedding Singer' (the musical) it was revealed that Chad Beguelin -- the talented young author who's wrote both the book & the lyrics for 'Wedding' -- has been hired by Disney Theatrical to write the book for a proposed Broadway version of 'Aladdin.'
So come the 2008-2009, it may not be just Ariel and Mary Poppins on the stage, thrilling theater-goers. Aladdin and his magic flying carpet may soon be zooming out over the orchestra pit."
I think that would work. Maybe "Why Me" or "Proud Of Your Boy" and maybe a reworked "High Adventure."
Old material dropped from the film would be perfect because of the original concept being by Alan and Howard. Maybe they could use the Arabian Nights reprise at the curtain call. Here's how I'd see it:
{Peddler, already in his Genie form because he also plays the Genie, steps out to sing solo} "So it goes, short and sweet, they were wed down the street. May their marriage be truly blessed. Happy end to the tale and tomorrow's a sale So we'd better go home and rest. Here's a kiss and a hug, sure you don't need a rug? I assure you, the price is right! {entire company} Well, salaam, worthy friends, come back soon, that's the end Till another... ARABIAN NIIIIIIIII-I-I-I-I-I-IIIIIIIIIII-I-I-I-I-I-IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!"
"How could she just suddenly, completely disappear into thin water?" - The Little Mermaid
Or how about the completed version of Prince Ali, with a REAL ELEPHANT!!!! That would surely make the headlines.
The intro: "Hail, your attention, I pray! Oh, ye people of Agrabah! This is your lucky day! Hail, high and low, great and small! Lucky people of Agrabah! Someone's coming to call! Someone who tamed the Cyclops, Then fought 40 thieves single-hand! He's richer than Croesus, He goes where he pleases And this time, he's chosen your land!!! So here he is now with his band...!
Make way for Prince Ali! Say hey, it's Prince Ali!"
And you know the rest, until...
"Has he got a zoo? I'm telling you, It's a world-class menagerie! Prince Ali, wonderful he, Ali Ababwa! He's essayed quite a parade for you to see! So get on out in that street! Got someone I want you to meet! C'mon, start kissin' the feet of Prince Ali!"
{DANCE BREAK, with floats coming through the audience! Including the mighty elephant!}
Then, back to:
"There's no question this Ali's impressive Though his entourage may be excessive All those elephants at once can quite unnerve one! Still the guy gives a parade new meaning And the sight of all those peacocks preening He's a prince without a peer, and we deserve one!
Prince Ali, handsome is he, Ali Ababwa! )sung concurrently with above: There's no question this Ali's alluring, Never ordinary, never boring)"
NOW you know the rest!
"How could she just suddenly, completely disappear into thin water?" - The Little Mermaid
I could see them using the reprise as the finale... like the "Whole New World Reprise" from the movie ending leads into it... it would be perfect! I have been thinking about Aladdin as a Broadway show for YEARS... and after seeing the reprise to "Arabian Nights" in "Aladdin and the King of Thieves," I thought it would work as the show finale.
Chad wrote the Book and some lyrics for the ALADDIN SPECTACULAR AT DISNEY'S HYPERION THEATER AT CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE. So I can see that he would be involve for the Broadway version!
"In the U.S.A.
You can have your say,
You can set you goals
And seize the day,
You've been given the freedom
To work your way
To the head of the line-
To the head of the line!"
---Stephen Sondheim
Oh my God, I want this to happen so badly. I don't care what people say about some Disney shows, I've wanted to see this on Broadway for years. I think this has some of Ashman and Menken's finest work, including some of the great deleted songs that I hope would be restored (Aladdin's "Proud of Your Boy", Jafar's "Why Me?").
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)." -Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!" -E!'s "The Soup"
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)." -Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!" -E!'s "The Soup"
Marc Kudisch as Jafar would definitely work. But Genie needs above-the-title billing, and that could go to a person like either Will Ferrell or Paul Vogt.
"How could she just suddenly, completely disappear into thin water?" - The Little Mermaid
Someone seriously needs to put a f**kin' stop to this Disney on Broadway crap. Seems EVERY recent Disney adaption of something is getting greenlit for a Broadway production. Enough with this sh*t already.
THE LITTLE MERMAID MARY POPPINS THE LION KING
Enough! Geez! Or build your own Broadway Park in Orlando or Anaheim or somewhere in New Jersey!
I sort of wish they would stop bringing Disney shows just for the sake of bringing them.
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
Zambello (Broadway's Little Mermaid) directed the Disneyland version of the show, but after the reviews I think she might get for Little Mermaid I'm not sure if she'll be involved.