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<\/p>\nby Peter Thomas Ricci<\/p>\n
\u2018Disney\u2019s Aladdin,\u2019 which opened a limited run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre this week, is among the most spectacularly staged musicals I have ever seen. With scenic design by Bob Crowley, the Casey Nicholaw-directed production sways between fantastical recreations of Agrabah, gorgeous renderings of the Sultan\u2019s palace silhouetted against a blue, star-filled night, and most dazzling of all, an immense Cave of Wonders filled floor to ceiling with precious treasure. The show is a masterpiece of design, and even if it did not feature a talented cast and memorable songs \u2013 which it certainly does \u2013 it would be well worth seeing.<\/p>\n
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The plot of \u2018Aladdin\u2019 has entered the American lexicon, and the movie\u2019s musical adaptation does not stray from its nuts and bolts: orphan Aladdin (a charming Adam Jacobs, who originated the role on Broadway), a \u201cstreet rat\u201d who steals for a living, unwittingly falls in love with Princess Jasmine (a charming Isabelle McCalla), the Sultan\u2019s headstrong daughter who has refused every suitor seeking her hand (and thus, ascendance to the kingdom\u2019s throne). After being apprehended by the Sultan\u2019s evil grand vizier, Jafar (a wickedly charismatic Jonathan Weir) \u2013 who himself aspires to rule the kingdom \u2013 Aladdin is recruited to fetch a lamp from the Cave of Wonders, during which he is introduced to the lamp\u2019s sole resident, an all-powerful Genie (the fabulous Anthony Murphy) who grants him three wishes.<\/p>\n
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Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher presents Aladdin, the new musical, music by Alan Menken, lyrrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, Canada, starring: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), Brian Gonzales (Babkak), Brandon O’Neill (Kassim), Jonathan Schwartz (Omar), Clifton Davis (Sultan), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Merwin Foard (standby Jafar\/Sultan), Michael James Scott (standby Genie\/Babkak) and Jonathan Freeman (Jafar) directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw<\/p><\/div>\n
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That said, the first act of \u2018Aladdin\u2019 is a rollicking delight, namely in how it builds upon the plot and themes of the movie. With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguelin (who also wrote the show\u2019s witty book), the show expands upon Aladdin\u2019s hard luck life, Jasmine\u2019s feelings of isolation and yearning, and Jafar\u2019s schemes, bringing engaging music and choreography to flesh out the character\u2019s feelings and motivations. Everything culminates in a truly jaw-dropping sequence of \u201cFriend Like Me,\u201d the Genie showcase that is so varied and spectacular that it renders the movie\u2019s original version tame by comparison.<\/p>\n
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And key to that first act\u2019s success is the casting, especially Anthony Murphy as the Genie. Robin Williams is so closely identified with the Genie role that I wondered how the stage\u2019s character would compare, but Murphy and director Nicholaw have wisely gone in a completely different direction, and crafted a character that is, honestly, far more interesting than the pop-culture-spewing character that Williams improvised. Simply, Murphy\u2019s Genie is\u00a0fabulous<\/i>, a character thoroughly in step with RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race and other forms of popular gay entertainment. And add to it that Murphy is Black, and the Genie \u2013 a character pining for his freedom after an eternity of servitude \u2013 takes on a whole new level of significance. Like most of Disney\u2019s classic musicals, \u2018Aladdin\u2019 is on shaky ground when it comes to race and cultural accuracy (infamously, the title character\u2019s face and build were modeled on Tom Cruise, and indeed, Jacobs is white), so Nicholaw and Murphy\u2019s modern take is thoroughly appreciated.<\/p>\n
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Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher presents Aladdin, the US tour, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin, opening night April 19 at Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, starring: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Anthony Murphy (Genie), Isabelle McCalla (Jasmine), Zach Bencal (Babkak), Mike Longo (Kassim), Philippe Arroyo (Omar), Jonathan Weir (Jafar), Reggie de Leon (Iago) and JC Montgomery (Sultan) directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw<\/p><\/div>\n
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The rest of the cast is similarly strong. As Jafar, Weir is scrumptiously evil, bellowing his lines with acidic precision. Zach Bencal, Philippe Arroyo, and Mike Longo, who play Aladdin\u2019s friends, are all plucky and fun. And finally, Jacobs makes for a very engaging hero, with fine stage instincts and a voice that is tailor-made for Disney songs.<\/p>\n
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But if there is one area where \u2018Disney\u2019s Aladdin\u2019 missteps, it is in the show\u2019s second act, which lacks the nuance and depth of the first act. Alas, it is the show\u2019s plot that is to blame. As successful as the show\u2019s writers are at expanding the plot through the first act, the second act \u2013 which begins with Aladdin marching upon the Sultan\u2019s palace as the newly created Prince Ali \u2013 stretches the remaining plot developments far too long, even using an unfortunately unnecessary (and overly long) song involving Aladdin\u2019s friends to pad out the time. Even more, after spending so much time with the musical\u2019s characters in the first act, the show\u2019s second act gives them short shrift. Take Jasmine, for example. It\u2019s common knowledge that she and Prince Ali fall in love while singing \u201cA Whole New World\u201d during a magic carpet ride, but isn\u2019t this Jasmine supposed to be immune to such razzle dazzle? Shouldn\u2019t it require more work to woo such an independent woman?<\/p>\n
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Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher presents Aladdin, the US tour, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin, opening night April 19 at Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, starring: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Anthony Murphy (Genie), Isabelle McCalla (Jasmine), Zach Bencal (Babkak), Mike Longo (Kassim), Philippe Arroyo (Omar), Jonathan Weir (Jafar), Reggie de Leon (Iago) and JC Montgomery (Sultan) directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw<\/p><\/div>\n
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Admittedly, those are the questions that critics like myself will walk away asking. For most of the parents and children seeing \u2018Aladdin,\u2019 such concerns will hardly register. The musical is undoubtedly fun and imaginative, and is a most welcome addition to the city\u2019s theater scene.<\/p>\n
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Recommended<\/b><\/p>\n
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Running through Sept. 10 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre<\/b><\/p>\n
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