Review Roundup: ALADDIN on Tour, What Did the Critics Think?

Disney's "Aladdin" is currently flying around America, entertaining audiences nationwide with the Agrabah glitz and glamour. What are critics in the various cities saying about the tour? Check out their reviews from tour stops like Tempe, Salt Lake City, San Diego and more below!

The touring production features 16 cast members who have been with the show since its 2017 launch: Korie Lee Blossey (Genie), Jonathan Weir (Jafar), Reggie De Leon (Iago), Zach Bencal (Babkak), Adam Stevenson (Standby Jafar & Sultan) and ensemble members Michael Bullard, Michael Callahan, Bobby Daye, Mathew deGuzman, Albert Jennings, Kenway Hon Wai K. Kua, Jason Scott MacDonald, Angelina Mullins, Celina Nightengale, Annie Wallace and Michelle West.

The cast of 35 also includes Jonah Ho'okano (Aladdin), Kaena Kekoa (Jasmine), Jerald Vincent (Sultan), Ben Chavez (Omar), Colt Prattes (Kassim), Jeremy Gaston (Standby Genie), Frank Viveros (Standby Genie, Sultan & Babkak) and ensemble members Cornelius Davis, Max B. Ehrlich, Carissa Fiorillo, Keisha Gilles, Erik Hernandez, Orianna Hilliard, Cameron Hobbs, Cameron Mitchell Jackson, Xavier McKinnon, Cassidy Stoner, Liv Symone and Zach Williams.

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Tampa Reviews

Carolan Trbovich, BroadwayWorld: You would be hard-pressed to find a show that has so much going on at one time. It's an overloaded feast for the eyes. Every kind of dance genre there is was represented in one of any given numbers - even tap! I love tap! The ensemble looked like a cast of thousands. The only thing this show might be missing is a cliff diver plunging head first into a pool of water on the stage. I'm not saying that didn't happen. I just didn't catch it if it did! You can see this production 10 times and notice something different each time.

Drew Eberhard, BroadwayWorld: Jonah Ho'okano's Aladdin was everything we wanted him to be and more. His voice was impeccable and "Proud of Your Boy" was a stellar show of the power behind his voice. His tender demeanor and honest moments with Princess Jasmine tugged at your heartstrings in all the right ways. I liked Aladdin's almost nerdy aloofness, and his bumbling personality after he meets Jasmine was a perfect romantic tone to the show. Somehow through the nerdy façade we truly come to understand Aladdin has all of the right moves, and the right things to say, and the swoon worthy Magic Carpet moment of "A Whole New World" was truly breathtaking. Jonah should be commended for his tremendous performance and ability to carry a very demanding role on his shoulders!

Fort Lauderdale Reviews

Rob Stafford Hagwood, South Florida Sun-Sentinel: However, what comes shining through, over two hours plus a 15-minute intermission, is tried-and-true tropes. We're talking old-school showbizzy throwbacks like a whiff of vaudeville here and a hint of burlesque (sparkly bosoms, heaving pecs) there, the laughs played as broad as the Arabian desert. With a few tweaks the whole show could fit neatly into an Abbott and Costello vehicle; imagine "The Road to Agraba" with Hope and Crosby. The show's villain even seems to sample from Cab Calloway.

Bill Hirschman, Florida Theater On Stage: Then there's that flying magic carpet that appears in the second scene of Act Two with one of the musical's most popular songs, "A Whole New World." Soaring high above the stage against a starry, starry night, this magic carpet truly was worth the gasps that came from the audience, and my two young companions. It's also impressive that whatever is holding up the carpet is invisible. OK, maybe theatrical magic does exist. And just so you don't get bored-as if-sometimes streamers shoot into the audience. And the costumes might be skimpy, but they sure do glitter. Aladdin is absolutely family friendly. Older audiences also will be entertained, if they allow themselves.

Michelle F. Solomon, MiamiArtZine: OK, so when you make three wishes about going to see "Aladdin," one of them isn't: "Oh, I want to see some great acting portrayals in the show." That would burn away one of your wishes for sure. You want to see spectacle and magic and silliness. This "Aladdin" delivers that wish for sure. Oh, and if you're sitting in the first 10 or 20 rows and your wish is to be covered in purple and white streamers, that wish comes true, too.

Orlando Reviews

Seth Kubersky, Orlando Weekly: "Theme park show" is often used as an insult, but I'd probably feel less meh about this Aladdin if I hadn't already experienced the exceptional stage version that used to run in Anaheim's Disney California Adventure, and continues to play on the cruise ships. Despite running under an hour, that production's pacing felt less rushed than this one's, and while the tour's famous flying carpet boasts virtually invisible wires, it doesn't wow audiences with an overhead flyby like its predecessor. Ultimately, this take on Aladdin provides perfectly competent - and occasionally magical - evening of entertainment, but falls short of improving on its source material.

Aaron Wallace, BroadwayWorld: Jonah Ho'okano has an easy, earnest charisma as Aladdin. His vocals come across as slightly more effortful, but he nails them in the end. With a scrappy build, a toothy grin, and a shy kind of confidence, he's got his street rat down pat. Jonathan Weir is precisely the Jafar that the book asks him to be, and as much as I wish the show's approach were different, there was a moment where I found myself sitting directly in front of him at the foot of the stage. His scathing scowl in my direction was utterly delightful. He is fully committed to the role, as is Reggie De Leon to his duty of comic relief as Iago. Kaenaonalani Kekoa's Jasmine is as believable as someone you know in real life. She's officially only the second person I've heard sing "These Palace Walls" in a way that wasn't boring. (Arielle Jacobs is the first, and everyone should go listen to her wonderful debut album to hear that song really shine.)

Greenville Reviews

Neil Shurley, BroadwayWorld: The entire cast was fantastic and you could go on and on for days talking about each individual person. One other thing that stood out was the genius of the magic carpet. You could see the show as many times as possible and still not be able to figure out how they did it. The sets were spectacular, especially the Cave of Wonders shining beautifully in glittering gold. Each person in the show had such a powerful singing voice that I was blown away. "Friend Like Me" and "Whole New World" were fantastic and truly magical.

Sandy Staggs, Carolina Curtain Call: Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), this musical boasts an incomparable design team, with sets, costumes and lighting from Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots) and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris). And though the show features more "skin" than most Disney productions, Aladdin - it's story, spectacle, romance and humor - will appeal to all.

North Carolina Reviews

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Other highlights of the cast include Patrick R. Brown as a very sinister Jafar, Reggie De Leon as his comedic right-hand man, Iago (who in the Broadway show is no longer a parrot, instead a human character), as well as memorable turns from Aladdin's three friends, Zach Bencal as Babkak, Ben Chavez as Omar, and Colt Pratts as Kassim. With some terrific choreography and a colorfully designed world thanks to Natasha Katz's lighting, Bob Crowley's sets, and Gregg Barnes' costumes, this stage adaptation proves to be a worthy companion to the animated classic. The show not only makes for a great night out for families, but also a great date night for romantic couples who grew up on the cartoon. Great musical comedy, outstanding production numbers, and some impressive stage craft (which includes a stunning flying carpet sequence in 'A Whole New World'), audiences of all ages should definitely find enjoyment in Aladdin.

Laura Worthington, WRAL: After seeing the musical versions of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin all at DPAC, it's pretty clear Disney has perfected Broadway musicals for all ages. The handmade costumes (337 in the show!) and detailed sets are audacious and mesmerizing. The puns are actually funny. And I've already mentioned the award-winning music, but the orchestra comprised of touring and local musicians push the entire production over the top, and I haven't even gotten to the actual magical elements. Some may argue that the star of the show is the Genie, and Korie Lee Blossey did kill it (be prepared to laugh and possibly even cry a bit at the end), but the stunning magic carpet ride scene gave my goosebumps goosebumps. Jonah Ho'Okano as Aladdin and Keanaonalani Kekoa as Jasmine hopped aboard the carpet on a starry night and dazzled us with the beautiful song "A Whole New World." This was the most magical part of the show for me, even if the magic carpet didn't have the personality from the animated film.

Los Angeles Reviews

Deborah Wilker, The Hollywood Reporter: Of course not everything that Disney transfers from screen to stage or from animation to real life works seamlessly, but Aladdin on Broadway has been a unique triumph: glorious to look at, funny, topical - and definitely not just for kids. (A full-circle moment arrives next year when director Guy Ritchie's live-action Aladdin, starring Will Smith, lands in multiplexes.) Given all the brand-extending - toys, video sequels, theme park attractions and more - that went on in the decades prior to Broadway, it's really kind of amazing that producers pulled off such a warm, witty show. That they've cloned it so expertly for the road seems even more of a miracle.

Margaret Gray, LA Times: Although the original collection of six songs is thin for a stage musical, it could be argued that the newcomers don't add enough to the story to justify the time they take. We don't really need "Proud of Your Boy," in which Aladdin sings of his desire to be more than just a criminal. By the time we've sat through the laborious hijinks of "Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim," in which the four pals try busking for a living, we have begun to suspect the show of stalling for time. Is there some technical problem backstage?

Marc Snetiker, EW: Revisiting the show now on tour, it's evident that age has not weathered any of the magical spirit that Aladdin brings, whether to Los Angeles or beyond. It's a show built on a non-stop whirligig, with a book laced with hummus jokes (for the adults) and slapstick (for the kids, and maybe the adults, too) and a score that fills in Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice's existing suite with a few rich new baubles ("Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim" and "High Adventure," both sung by Aladdin's newly-created coterie of street buddies, are standouts). Chad Beguelin's is a fast, funny script that may roll a few more eyes than heads, but to its great credit, it never lets up the pace, which in turn makes the slow moments (like villain Jafar and sidekick Iago's vaudeville proscenium asides) slower, but also allows its dizziest runs-e.g. anything emerging from the show's Genie du jour, Michael James Scott-to fly even faster.

Michael Quintos, BroadwayWorld: Alas, as entertaining as the show is, it accomplishes the task despite a few flaws. The Genie, as you might expect, is a ball of kinetic energy filled with sass and snarky snaps that keep the audience in stitches. The hilarious Attaway truly steals the show with every appearance, so understandably, it takes a while for the show to perk back up whenever he exits (his involvement at the top of the show was a smart reimagining of the opening song). The show doesn't really get super caffeinated again until Greenspan's Aladdin gets trapped in the Cave of Wonders and is introduced to the Genie, who, after "Friend Like Me" literally stopped the show. Anything after that moment is indeed a tough act to follow.

Dino-Ray Ramos, Deadline: Despite my allegiance to the animated feature, Aladdin the stage musical has an enthusiasm and joy that makes for quality family-friendly Broadway entertainment - and it might be a taste of what's to come with Disney's upcoming live-action version starring Will Smith. Like the movie, it has the ability to take you on a thrilling magic carpet ride and want a Genie of your own.

San Francisco Reviews

Karen, D'Souza, The Mercury News: As in "Something's Rotten!," Nicholaw has a knack for in-jokes that wink and nod to everything from "Beauty and the Beast" to "The Price is Right." These kitschy asides keep spirits bright through some saggy patches, including the endless entourage antics, the cliche evil villain sequences annd an unnecessary detour into "Dancing with the Scimitar."

Chicago Reviews

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune: Given tours these days, it's important to note that this is a first-class, Equity incarnation, and if Bob Crowley's jovial and extravagant setting has been reduced for touring purposes, no diminishment in glistening gold is visible to the naked eye. "Aladdin" still is a very big and eye-popping show, replete with the requisite magic carpet ride against a backdrop of the glittering (and wire-hiding) lights of a utopian Arabian night, devoutly to be wished.

Kevin Greene, New City Stage: Adapted from the Disney classic, composer Alan Menken augments five of his original tunes for the film (including the soaring "A Whole New World") with new compositions that leave ample room for Casey Nicholaw's fast-paced direction and athletic choreography. With lyrics from Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin (the latter offering a book with just enough anachronistic asides to tickle the ribs of a crowd that loves its theater in-jokes), the aural elements are matched equally by the elaborate visual components. With sets (Bob Crowley) and costumes (Gregg Barnes) that look like they would have been cheaper to assemble if they were literally made of money, the powerhouses behind the curtain rightfully raise expectations to vertigo-inducing levels for those in front. And my do they rise.

Catey Sullivan, Chicago Theater Beat: Not for nothing does the touring production of Aladdin have 30 tons worth of lighting and scenery suspended above the stage. The show makes Phantom of the Opera seem like an exercise in stark minimalism. Chandelier, shmandelier. Instead of something simply slo-mo falling via wires you could see from the balcony, Aladdin gives audiences a carpet that swoops up, down and sideways with absolutely no means of visible support. Then there are the fireballs - dozens of them - that get lobbed across the Aladdin stage, their flames shooting skyward as as dozens of dancers flip, tap and tumble around gleaming, four-story high piles of golden treasures.

Des Moines Review

Don McLeese, Des Moines Register: Standouts among the supporting cast include a benevolently regal Jerald Vincent as the Sultan, Jasmine's loving but exasperated father, and Jonathan Weir as Jafar, a Rasputin of sorts and nemesis of all, whose absolute evil provides comic relief. The lighting, staging and costumes, as well as the acrobatic choreography by director Casey Nicholaw, provide the requisite enchantment.

Portland Review

Krista Garver, BroadwayWorld: The musical is an almost non-stop parade of acrobatic dance numbers performed in gorgeous sequined costumes (more than 300 of them!) against a brightly colored background. It's busy and beautiful, all those people in harem pants and belly dancing outfits shaking, shimmering, and sword fighting across the stage. But, the main draw is the genie. Major Attaway, who also played the role on Broadway, brings this iconic character to life in a big way, with a booming but still velvety voice and a twinkle in his eye. His 13-minute "Friend Like Me" is likely the biggest, flashiest song and dance number the Keller has ever seen - complete with magic, tap dancing, and pyrotechnics, all taking place on what must be the shiniest set ever constructed. It's fabulous.

Tempe Reviews

Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway: Casey Nicholaw's direction keeps the pace fast, light and fun and his choreography is a mixture of many types of steps from other cultures, though it lacks some cohesiveness. Nicholaw's light directorial touch works well for this musical that doesn't take itself too seriously. Bob Crowley's imaginative set designs deliver gorgeous, colorful locales, including the gold-encrusted Cave of Wonders. Jim Steinmeyer's illusions and the special effects from Jeremy Chernick provide plenty of spectacle, including the superb magic carpet that Aladdin and Jasmine ride on that will most likely have you asking yourself during its two appearances and long after the curtain goes down, "how did they do that?" Gregg Barnes' costumes are opulent, immaculately detailed, and full of rich colors. Natasha Katz's lighting features warm oranges and cool, deep blues to paint a range of beautiful stage images, from hot and comic daytime scenes to cool and romantic nighttime moments.

David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage: There are noticeable differences from the film. Unlike Julie Taymor's animal creations for The Lion King, Aladdin does away with them altogether. Gone is Jasmine's tiger, replaced by three sassy ladies-in-waiting; there's no monkey Abu for Aladdin, he's replaced by three street wise-cracking guys (who were supposed to be in the movie, but cut and replaced by Abu - now they're back again), while the villain's snarky parrot Iago is replaced by a rotund human sidekick of the same name. When the evil grand vizier (Jonathan Weir; rich, dark speaking voice) and Iago (Jay Paranada) exchange evil words played out like a comedic double-act at the foot of the stage in front of a painted screen, they're Abbot and Costello doing panto shtick; Lou Costello as Iago; Bud Abbot as straight man Jafar. "You're so Machiavellian," Iago tells Jafar, adding, "Whoever he is."

Emily Noxon, BroadwayWorld: The magic carpet does make an appearance, but not as a featured character. Rajah has been replaced by three, female attendants who urge Jasmine to follow her heart. Iago is still Jafar's stooge, but in this version, he is human and played by Jay Paranada. Jafar is played by Jonathan Weir, and the two share a villainous chemistry. Always lurking in the shadows, Weir and Paranada provide several laugh out loud moments while carrying out their sinister plans. The final showdown between Aladdin and Jafar lacks the pizzazz of the film, but Weir is a commanding presence perfectly coupled with Paranada.

Salt Lake City Reviews

Nancy Van Valkenburg, Gephardt Daily: Without buying a plane ticket, you really won't get any closer to seeing a Broadway show than this. The musical is both child- and adult-friendly, and seemed to leave its opening night audience impressed and even a little stunned by the extravaganza.

Tyler Hinton BroadwayWorld: Clinton Greenspan, who plays the title character, is reminiscent of both Scott Weinger, the original voice of Aladdin, and Adam Jacobs, who originated the role on Broadway. He is a leading man who is easy to root for. Major Attaway, who was the first replacement for the Genie on Broadway, commands the stage with a larger-than-life presence that fills the room with warmth, vigor and laughter. Brand new Jasmine Kaenaonalani Kekoa is still finding her footing in the role, but she is vivacious with a lovely singing voice.

Cristy Meiners, Desert News: Like the 1992 Disney film, the musical follows the rags-to-riches tale of Aladdin, the impoverished good-time guy who falls in love with Jasmine, the ahead-of-her-times princess in the fictional Arabian kingdom of Agrabah. Clinton Greenspan certainly looked the part of the unlikely hero Friday night, with his tangle of dark curls and his sweet tenor voice well conveying a young man struggling to discover himself - especially in the tender song "Proud of Your Boy." It also helped that he and Kaenaon?lani Kekoa, in the role of Jasmine, had genuine onstage chemistry, and that Kekoa's powerhouse vocals matched her character's independent spirit.

San Diego Reviews

James Hebert, San Diego Union-Tribune: If you were to make one of those website "word clouds" about what looms large in "Aladdin," it might look something like: jasmine, Aladdin, jafar, lamp, GENIE GENIE GENIE. And when Major Attaway, who plays that wisecracking character, gets unbottled just in time to join Aladdin (Clinton Greenspan) on "Friend Like Me," you can feel the show start to levitate as if it's on, I don't know, some kind of magic rug or something. It's a scenery-devouring role, to be sure, and it won James Monroe Iglehart a Tony Award in the Broadway production. But Attaway (great name for an irrepressibly kinetic actor) takes the part and runs with it. (And runs. And runs.)

Pat Launer, Times of San Diego: As Aladdin, Clinton Greenspan is adorable, agile and charismatic. His backup buddies (Philippe Arroyo, Jed Feder and Zach Bencal) are also multi-talented - and often pretty humorous. Lissa deGuzman is a petite powerhouse as Jasmine. As the Genie, Major Attaway, who moved up from standby to main wish-giver on Broadway, milks the audience reaction mercilessly (a lot of that is in the script, but still... it does tend to cloy). He speaks so fast that his words are often unintelligible (not clear if that was an actor or a sound system problem).

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About Aladdin

Aladdin features a score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin, a book by Chad Beguelin, and direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw.

How to Get Tickets

Catch the tour in Sacramento, Houston, Washington, D.C., Charlotte and more! For tickets and a complete list of tour stops, tap here.

For tickets and more visit www.aladdinthemusical.com/tour/

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