Since the very first time I saw Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular
at the Disney California Adventure, Hyperion Theater during its opening week,
in January 2003 I felt it was more than fit for Broadway. It has left DCA had
gone on the Disney Cruise line, the newest ship in the fleet, Fantasy has the
show for evening entertainment on its 7 night and longer cruises.
The Aladdin Musical at DCA is Broadway caliber in performance,
sets, costumes and quality of content. Where it lacks is length of show. It is
quick moving and full of fun but at around 40 minutes it is not long enough for
Broadway. Great for a show at the park or an evening entertainment on a cruise
ship but needs a lot added to be on Broadway. The DCA version has left out two
of my favorite characters, Abu and Raja. It leaves out several scenes from the
movie that could be added on a Broadway stage.
The announcement was made at Destination D at the Disneyland
Resort on August 12th, 2012 that Aladdin is headed to Broadway and
has already made stops in Seattle and St Louis and is on stage in Utah through
October of this year.
Allen Menkin announced that there are several songs that were
dropped from the movie that are being used in the stage version, including
“Proud of Your Boy”. He also said there are three new songs, “Call Me A
Princess,” “Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim” (This song is named after several
new characters not in the movie. They act as a Greek Chorus.), and “High
Adventure.”
Menkin wrote a song for the DCA stage version called “To Be
Free” Jasmine sings the song to a caged bird as Aladdin uses carpet to reach
her parapet. I’ve not heard mention of this quite engaging song being used in
the Broadway version. This song is beautiful and a great addition to the story.
It also gives Iago some lines he can reuse as jokes at the end. I hope they
decided to bring it forward.
What I find so engaging in the DCA version is the adaptability
of the show. It has wide appeal to both the young and young at heart. Iago and
Genie are allowed to adlib and change the jokes to fit current events in the
news and pop culture. I’m sure this will be true in the Broadway version as
well.
Many of the performers that were in the 2003 opening cast are
now on Broadway and beyond. I’m dreaming of a reunion cast with the original
main four reprising their parts on Broadway.
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