Aladdin Seattle premiere

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 7/6/11 at 5:47pm

Is anyone going to the Aladdin first preview tomorrow or anyone going to the invited dress (persuming there will be one). In this video you can see a bit of the set (show curtain, I think)
Really excited to see how this show turns out!
video

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 6:44pm

Anyone going tonight? Looking forward to hearing reports

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/7/11 at 7:06pm

Me too! Someone let me know when a naughty cast recording surfaces.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 1:46am

I'm going Sunday. Will be sure to report back. :)

[degrassifan]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:11am

I'm reading good things on twitter and facebook!

[threetwoone]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 4:14am

Saw it tonight! AMAZING! I really had low expectations but it blew them all out of the water! Sure, the set could have been a bit more lavish but it's only a 3 or 4 week production. 'High Adventure' was truly a standout. At times it seemed a bit confused as to whether it was wanted to be the original vision or the movie, and the meshing of the two seemed a bit off at times but in an overall sense, it couldn't have been more perfect. A few tech snafus here or there but with some streamlining, they really have something here. It's not just some generic Disney piece. Congrats to all involved.

For those who care, Act 1 ended with a reprise of 'Proud of Your Boy'.
Updated On: 7/8/11 at 04:14 AM

[Peter87]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 4:20am

Would really like to know exactly how many of the deleted songs made it to the show. Songlist anyone? :)

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 5:08am

^ I second that request

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 9:57am

Thank you for the review threetwoone. How did they stage "A Whole New World"? And, how is the new Aladdin and Jasmine duet song?

[threetwoone]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 10:41am

A Whole New World was different than you'd expect. The carpet behind her balcony was on a hydraulic lift with one pilar thing (piston?) that rose the carpet up and down in the centre of the stage. It was kind of jerky in it's movement and you could hear it in Courtney's voice when it moved, but it was different and I liked it :) The ensemble was below waving fabric and these "star rod" things like the fireflies in Lion King. Also, there was a big backdrop of little stars. The orchestrations were stripped down to very simple music box type orchestrations, no sweeping strings or anything. It was very unique and refreshing to hear.

The new duet was catchy, it's called "A Million Miles Away". Nothing spectacular. They sing it when they first meet and he brings her to his little rooftop pad. It's about them both wanting to run away and travel.

Song List:

ACT 1
Overture
Arabian Nights
Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim
One Jump Ahead
One Jump Ahead (reprise)
Proud of Your Boy
Arabian Nights (reprise 1)
Call Me A Princess
Call Me A Princess (reprise)
Why Me
A Million Miles Away
Arabian Nights (Reprise 2)
Friend Like Me
Arabian Nights (Reprise 3)
Act 1 Finale*

*A bit of Friend Like Me when he is transformed into a Prince then a reprise of Proud of Your Boy.

ACT 2
Prince Ali
A Whole New World
High Adventure
Somebody's Got Your Back
Wedding Day Suite*
Finale Ultimo**

*A bit of everything really. This is where a few reprises of "Prince Ali" came in sung by Jafar like in the movie, but extended. And Jonathan Freeman was totally manic while singing, he was awesome.

**A Bit of Somebody's Got Your Back, Arabian Nights, A Whole New World from what I remember.

Any more questions? Just ask.

A couple more comments, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim served as the narrators sort of and constantly made references of it being a show, or to their prop ride on camels which were hurting their backs n such. They were the best part of the show and I didn't realize the show was going to be so funny, and not in the over-done and frankly boring Genie slapstick comedy which you expected.


Updated On: 7/8/11 at 10:41 AM

[Jonwo]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 11:05am

How is James Monroe Iglehart as the Genie? He must have the hardest part because the character is so iconic.

It sounds like with a few more tweaks, it could be a hit for Disney Theatrical, wonder if they'll add any new songs, surprised To Be Free isn't in it either as a song for Jasmine or Genie.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 11:07am

James was fine...He rushed his lines a bit and with some perfecting he could be great.

It could definitely be a hit with a few tweaks! Everything I disliked could easily be fixed. I hope this goes somewhere beyond community theatres.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 11:13am

Probably a dumb question but is Genie blue? Also does One Jump Ahead feature only Aladdin or all the Street Rats?

I imagine there will be changes as the run goes on but it sounds like the show is already a return to form for Disney after Tarzan and Little Mermaid misfired.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 11:40am

No he wasn't. But his costume was dark blue. And One Jump Ahead was just wit Aladdin. it was Kassim who stole the bread and when the guards came threw it into Aladdin's hands and ran off with the other street rats. Aladdin promised his mom when she was dying to never steal again...

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 12:36pm

The video on the article page shows some stills from the production at the very end. Looks pretty bare-bones.
ALADDIN

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 12:40pm

I'm interested in seeing some preview footage and official stills from this production. But I am glad to hear that it is getting good reviews!

In terms of story though, what has changed about it compared to the movies? Like does Jafar turn into the giant snake when he gets ahold of the magic lamp, etc.?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 12:50pm

I can't believe they cut the monkey, he must be devastated.

I think it's great that the actors are enthusiastic about but the show but I'm not sure how being in ALLADIN in Seattle is being part of history.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 1:17pm

Babkak, Omar and Kassim filled the role that Abu had in the film, I believe Iago is human in the show rather than a parrot.

[jovielle]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 2:23pm

I'm curious--how did "Call me a Princess" fit in? From the video performance I saw of it on TV it seemed kind of the opposite of Jasmine's character in the film. Did they change her personality for the stage show or was the song supposed to ironic?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 2:40pm

^If you watch the entire video that second question is answered for you
Updated On: 7/8/11 at 02:40 PM

[henryt]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 2:44pm

^And the answer is that Jasmine is acting snooty and stuck-up to try to drive away the suitors.
Updated On: 7/8/11 at 02:44 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 2:48pm

Is there a lot of dialogue in the second act?!? Act two looks much shorter than act one.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:29pm

Act 1 was about 1h 10 mins and Act 2 was just under 50 mins.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/8/11 at 3:37pm

I just realized that "To Be Free" is missing! I thought someone said that they were including that song as well? It's way better than "Call Me a Princess." I'm bummed!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/14/11 at 12:11am

According to Andrew Keenan-Bolger's twitter the cast rehearsed a new song yesterday and it was in the show tonight. Anyone know what it is?