New York, NY: Aladdin, the hit musical based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, celebrated its 8th anniversary on Broadway on March 20 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. To celebrate the occasion, Michael James Scott (Genie) surprised a lucky guest – the 888th ticketholder scanned at the theatre that afternoon – with a cruise aboard Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish. The giveaway was announced during curtain call in front of the sold-out audience.
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, sets sail for the first time this summer. New enchantment can be found as treasured stories and characters come to life before your eyes in unexpected ways.
In the 2,681 performances comprising Aladdin’s run thus far, audiences have been treated to a staggering number of special effects:
- Aladdin and Jasmine have flown over 88 miles on the magic carpet while singing the Oscar-winning “A Whole New World”
- The Genie has set off nearly 100,000 pyrotechnics in the showstopping “Friend Like Me”
- In the Act Two opener “Prince Ali,” the cast and wardrobe team have made over 185,000 lightning-fast costume quick changes
Hailed by The New York Times as “fabulous and extravagant!” Aladdin opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre to critical acclaim on March 20, 2014 and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years. The Broadway production has broken 14 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and spawned eight productions on four continents, with a new North American tour launching in October. It can be seen currently on Broadway, in Japan, the Netherlands, Mexico and Germany.
The current cast of Aladdin stars Michael Maliakel making his Broadway debut in the title role, Michael James Scott as Genie, Shoba Narayan as Jasmine and Dennis Stowe as Jafar.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, Aladdin features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and six-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).
Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, six-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.
For more information, visit AladdinTheMusical.com.
