Jonathan Freeman News

Watch the original voice of Jafar and Jafar on Broadway actor Jonathan Freeman receive a surprise serenade from his fellow cast and audience members for his 70th Birthday. See video below!

Disney's Aladdin is flying into East Lansing from December 4th through 15th at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts. The hit musical, based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, has been amazing audiences since the show's Broadway debut back in 2014. It has the music that we all know and love from the film and new songs that add to the Disney magic. a?oeMagical, romantic, surprising, exhilarating and funny,a?? is how Jonathan Weir, who plays Jafar the villain on the tour, described the show. a?oeIt's a fantastical story of a young man's adventure to become himself, the friendship he creates with a genie in a lamp, and the adventures and romance it unfolds.a?? Read more of BroadwayWorld Detroit's conversation with Jonathan Weir below to find out why he thinks Disney's Aladdin is special and if Jafar is really all that villainous!

Actor/director/author Bruce Kimmel is best known to audiences for his tremendous work with Kritzerland, his own company that produces updated albums of classic musicals as well as recordings of new ones like his A Carol Christmas, produced last year at Group Rep and currently nominated for several BroadwayWorld Awards. Kimmel is about to open The Man Who Came to Dinner at Group Rep on December 6. In our convesation he talks about his fondness for the play and gives us his vision for a successful production of it. How do you envision The Man Who Came to Dinner onstage? BK: Fast. Funny. I love the play, have played Banjo twice, so it's really fun to come back to it as a director. The comedy is as funny as it's always been and it's also great to be able to bring whatever we can bring to it. But, for me, pace is key - the play can run long, but I'm making sure that doesn't happen here. Why do you think it has endured all these years even though it's a period piece with the mention of many, many names people today do not recognize? BK: The central situation is so relatable - someone takes over your house and your life, and disrupts everything, but, in the end, ends up being helpful to people. Add to that, the assortment of crazies who populate Sheridan Whiteside's wo

Disney has officially been making magic on Broadway for 25 years! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Disney on Broadway is partnering with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to put on a special benefit to celebrate the momentous occasion. We're getting in on the celebration by looking back at Disney's show-stopping productions, from classics like Beauty and the Beast and Newsies to current favorites like Aladdin and Frozen. Check it all out!

Disney's Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical, will welcome new stars to both the Broadway and North American tour casts.

For the last five years, the New Amsterdam Theatre has been all about magic lamps, carpet rides, princes, thieves and genies! That's because Disney's Aladdin, which opened in 2014, has played well over 2000 performances there. 

The anxiously-anticipated arrival of Aladdin is finally here! The national tour stops in Sacramento through June 2 and brings with it the songs that you know and love from the 1992 animated movie, along with new numbers written specifically for the stage musical. After its debut on Broadway in 2014, it was nominated for 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Broadway World Sacramento was able to speak with Reggie DeLeon, who originated the role of Iago on the national tour and has returned after a brief hiatus. Reggie is well-known for his recurring role as Shep in the Pup Star films. He can also be seen on 'MOM' (Paul), 'Superior Donuts' (Zale), and 'Melissa & Joey' (Wyatt).

Spring has sprung, and that means that theatre lobbies across the country are filled with casts, crew members and volunteers fundraising with iconic #redbuckets in hand, culminating in the 33rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition (#BroadwayBonnets) on Monday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The event is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Aladdin on Broadway, five current and former Genies stopped the show following yesterday's matinee to perform a medley of Aladdin hits. The five Genies included Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, current star Michael James Scott, tour Genie Major Attaway, and current Broadway Genie standbys Juwan Crawley and Deonte L. Warren.

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Aladdin on Broadway, 5 current and former Genies stopped the show following today's matinee with a medley of Aladdin hits at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The 5 Genies were Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, current star Michael James Scott, tour Genie Major Attaway, and current Broadway Genie standbys Juwan Crawley and Deonte L. Warren.

In the fall of 2019 the Ohio University School of Theater will welcome its first class to an exciting new chapter of its undergraduate Theater Performance degree program. Two interrelated four-year degree tracks will now be offered in either acting or musical theater, with an innovative curricular approach designed to prepare students for the rapidly changing theater industry.

On this day in 2014, Disney's Aladdin, a new musical comedy based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical, continues to reach a whole new world as it celebrates five years on Broadway today at the New Amsterdam Theatre!  

As it approaches its 5th anniversary, Aladdin welcomes three new principal cast members to the company. Original Australian star Ainsley Melham has taken over the title role, marking his Broadway and North American theatrical debut. Broadway veteran Michael James Scott (Something Rotten!; The Book of Mormon; Tarzan), an original Broadway company member who originated the role of Genie in Australia and comes directly from playing it on the North American tour, has assumed the role of Genie. And as part of the show's trio of Aladdin's sidekicks, Mike Longo (Beautiful, Aladdin North American tour) stepped into the role of Kassim.

As it approaches its 5th anniversary, Aladdin welcomes three new principal cast members to the company.

Based on the animated Disney film and the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, performances of THE LITTLE MERMAID officially opened on Broadway on this day in 2008.

In honor of the show's eleventh anniversary of becoming part of Broadway's world, we're flashing back to its 2008 opening night at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre!

As it approaches its 5th anniversary, Aladdin welcomes three new principal cast members to the company.

Telly Leung recently received his portrait at Sardi's and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out the photos below!

Last night the Queen of Country Music, Reba McEntire, took in a performance of Disney's Aladdin on Broadway.  After the show, Reba join the cast backstage. Check out the photos below!