'Aladdin,' The Musical: Behind the Scenes

The Disney classic about a prince of thieves that stole our hearts comes to life on Broadway.

[@haileykemper4028]

James' reaction to getting the chance to play genie is priceless and adorable! He so deserved his reward!

[@theDoctorPotterfan16]

I can't believe they got Jonathan Freeman back to play Jafar!!! That is SO COOL!!! Also this just looks insanely awesome!

[@manuelorozco7760]

I'm playfully jealous for those who have seen this kind of Disney magic in the heart of NYC. I never have gone there before but I do hope to go this fall.

[@ericarichter5542]

OMG I LOVE JAMES SM “If you saw a skinny guy jumping around it wouldn’t be so cool would it”

[@manuelorozco7760]

Erica Richter I’ve loved him as Bobby as Memphis and currently as the voice of Lance on Tangled the Series.

[@danielleruth3539]

I’ve met him! He is literally the sweetest person ever!

[@prp134]

I saw this 10 times in Chicago before it went to Broadway. It’s freaking amazing!!

[@billieplatt253]

I saw the musical yesterday in Sydney, it was absolutely incredible all the different colours, sets, and music really brought it all together

[@pastelsloth2264]

Me too. I saw it yesterday

[@florayim8678]

i saw it there too

[@isobel9911]

Same but I saw it at Qpac

[@footyfan101ful]

Billie Platt I saw it in Melbourne twice!!!

[@amandahovendon2143]

Billie Platt My mom and I r seeing it in June! I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!

[@manuelorozco7760]

The combination of modern Disney magic and old fashioned musical comedy seems quite refreshing! This is one Mouse House staging I would love to see one day.

[@maddie1854]

I listen to this musical at least 3 times a day, no joke. It’s phenomenal.

[@carlyrose8654]

i LOVE aladin

[@officialkirrakinola219]

He really does sound like Jafar. So much that I laughed and was thinking. "OMG its Jafar!" LOL

[@Toonking1985]

+Kiara Uchiha It was Jafar, he was his original actor from the movie

[@kamwrites]

+Kiara Uchiha .....that's because it IS Jafar. Did you not pay attention?

[@officialkirrakinola219]

You do not need to be so rude.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Kiara Uchiha That’s what makes me even more jealous toward my fellow theatre geeks who saw Mr Freeman reprise Jafar.

[@rainyday6512]

Probable because it’s the ACTUAL Jafar, the original

[@AddisonRamirez]

3:23 okay i cried a little watching that

[@iamlucy2308]

Addison Ramirez Me too!!

[@thesilverandbronzeshow9740]

for the people who are wondering how the magic carpet works, it's like this. there is a strong but thin wire stretching across the stage, with some lighting techniques, it makes the illusion that the carpet it flying

[@animagusurreal]

1:00 - "You know, I actually told them, we're Frozen." No silly, you're "Aladdin"! ;) ;) ;)

[@dottiedots221]

Frozen means no more changes to the shows, in theatre

[@animagusurreal]

Note the three winking smilies in my post :).

[@manuelorozco7760]

dottiedots221 Never knew that until now

[@williamf-w6864]

R/woooshh

[@ShunsukeShin]

Team Onion r/woooooooooosh

[@RetroMonkey1999]

I was a hard doubter, but my jaw was literally dropped the entire show! I actually cried at one point completely overcome! Amazing!

[@rainyday6512]

Thank you Aladdin cast for being my first broadway show, it was so much fun ❤️😁🥰

[@33931011]

I watched it last week as a birthday present from my mum and it was amazing! I will definitely want to watch it again! I literally become a little girl when the show started

[@sapphael.]

I saw this at the West End a couple of weeks ago and I'm still so obsessed with this musical!

[@CarolinaLeal]

Best musical I've ever seen! Just watched it and was impressed... loved it!

[@angelamammel5859]

This cast is absolutely perfect!!

[@captainjacksparrow7286]

Best show on Broadway!! I saw it 4 times!!!

[@vindikad]

Saw the musical few days back. Amazing! simply amazing!

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

No way! Jonathan Freeman? The voice of Jafar from the movie doing the Broadway version of him? Get out of Woodstock, Man!!!!

[@tamarmikhels3259]

Aladdin is magnificent musical.Amazing performers ,spectacular scenes, stunning songs, elegant costumes and finally mind-blowing songs! ITS really fantastic Mega show! This musical worths to seeng! ITs seems to be you that you are in the magical fairytale!

[@esmeew2379]

I saw it in London last week. Absolutely brilliant 😍💕

[@AlexJCornell]

I need to watch this. I also loved Aladdin when I was child.

[@addiayounas2029]

Same here Aladdin n Jasmine Jahfar the tiger and blue genie of course

[@meikewizowsky8905]

Coming from someone who's gone to the show, it is completely worth it.

[@marlie4872]

I saw it on Broadway a while ago, the genie was awesome! He was an awesome actor.

[@user-vk6ef6ld7s]

本当に鳥肌立つ...素晴らしい😭歌唱力もすごいしダンスもかっこいいし、、というかミュージカルの中でアラジンが1番好き🙋🏻‍♀️

[@aj_on_drums1713]

I saw this in London with my friends in yr9 and its AWESOME!! I love the genie so much 👍 👍 👍

[@MagicPower118]

My wife and I just saw the Broadway play last month and it was incredible. Different actors than in these news piece but still amazing.

[@welcomestranger]

Just saw this today in Brisbane, Australia. Great show!

[@TheGabb1]

I saw the show in Atlanta...and man, my mouth was open the WHOLE SHOW! So many sparkles and SO MUCH FUN! The Genie was my fav

[@manuelorozco7760]

Gabrielle I I just got my tickets for the show in Costa Mesa today just on my way out of seeing Waitress. Should be fun

[@lindsayjakekangaroomouse]

Aladdin is My Favorite of all time!

[@Noelle-ef9yw]

These costumes are gorgeous!

[@manuelorozco7760]

I've seen the costume designer's previous work in Legally Blonde the Musical and I agree.

[@jessarrowsmith142]

Saw the show in Auckland recently - it is mind-blowing!

[@erin8222]

Can't wait to see this in June!

[@nat-qw8wu]

I’m coming to see this during Spring Break!!!

[@gracesu9277]

Amazing and beautiful all set up 😳👍❤🇦🇺

[@kjdnyhmghfvb]

5 years later...Oh yes...we flocked...and still are.

[@frankylockenour4565]

uh i love this play some much

[@amandahovendon2143]

Omg watching this for the 20th time. Its finally making me cry cause I’m seeing it on tour 😭😍❤️. Happy tears

[@amandahovendon2143]

And Adam Jacobs is in it!😍😍😍😍*fangirl screams*

[@manuelorozco7760]

Amanda Hovendon I’m jealous. I’m seeing the show in Costa Mesa in March. And I’m bitter that Adam Janes and Jonathan won’t be there. Oh well

[@RubyStreet]

I saw James play the genie and he was fabulous

[@Lil_Jazzy320]

I saw this in New York and it was amazing

[@MintyZaki]

*PRINCE ALLEY IS HERE!*

[@crunchypuggles2212]

I GET TO SEE THIS SO SOON I'M SO SHOOK

[@chelseadaley9770]

I always loved this movie and I always wanted to be princess Jazmin but the issue that I had been struggling with was lack of losing weight back then and still now I’ve been struggling with it

[@jessicachatfield2579]

very nice to see you again for the first time in the world of difference between the two most important things to be wicked the musical instruments are the best way to get the latest version of the best of luck. I'm not sure

[@justyourvoice]

This is so amazing! I wish that Zootopia would get a musical and The Little Mermaid would get a revival.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I actually won't mind if Zootopia gets a stage adaptation as long as we have Try Everything in the score. High School Musical is overdue for Broadway.

[@katie0189]

To saw this exact one on broad way I love the giene

[@professorscarlet9796]

I totally wanna see it

[@wrathofme03]

oh hell yeah!

[@stemcelltherapy2022]

I wish to view them live

[@rainyday6512]

Here’s the real Secret: *the carpet is on wires*

[@bencenteno2756]

Baberaham Lincoln the real secret is that it’s actually flown by drones

[@rainyday6512]

Ben Centeno wait what?

[@bencenteno2756]

Baberaham Lincoln yup four on each corner

[@thegrumster4970]

uses wires on a counterweight system

[@butternuggets113]

I went to Aladdin in Perth and my life was complete! Im still wondering how that magic carpet was flying XD

[@purplesynthofficial]

How The Magic Carpet Fly On Aladdin On Broadway: The carpet flies with three wires on each corner that spin in a circle at a speed that allows the eye not to see it. It really is just wires.

[@thesesingerssuck8354]

I had fun watching the show. I was just disappointed not hearing the voice of the amazing Lea Salonga during "A Whole New World"...

[@fawful94]

Interviewer: Is it fun to be this Evil Incarnate? Johnathan Freeman: Yeah, what do you think? Wouldn't you like it? [Laughs maniacally]

[@MalikkMeza]

saw it recently it was lit

[@williamsteelevlogs4613]

I know how they do the flying carpet.They have four big drones under the carpet and that makes it fly.

[@dothedo3667]

I liked the cast I saw when I went to watch last week. Some were the same but I liked the changes.

[@maxboi1036]

The Genie will always be blue 🧞‍♂️

[@torilu5535]

2:42 LOL

[@redfoxjosh3765]

Tori Lu I don't get that.

[@Happymali10]

@@redfoxjosh3765 He says she's only impressed by his performance (physically) because he's a big/heavy dude.

[@chillcloud6813]

I wish I had money to take my dad to see this, it was his favorite princess movie

[@rebeccamarie5084]

Wait...ABU ISN'T IN THIS? THEY CUT OUT ABU?

[@Kiku91]

I have to say, I've seen animal trainers do a lot with monkeys and apes in movies. It may be more challenging on stage, but possible, and even then I don't think they could get the same amount of comical effect that Abu had in the film. They said that these human friends were originally an idea in the film. They were probably cut out to shorten and simplify the film. Plus everyone knows how kids love animal sidekicks. Plays are typically much longer than 90 minute films so they do have to expand the story, and putting in these other characters is one good way to do it. I really, really wanna see this but I don't see myself getting there anytime soon.

[@sjoerdeltink]

They could just use puppets, like in The Lion King

[@Kiku91]

Sjoerd Eltink True, because it looks like they did that for Iago. Honestly I don't know what could be a reason other than just expanding and lengthening the story.

[@baileyekha]

They wanted to make their own. Using puppets like Lion King would make it seem like a copy plus the play is awesome. They break the fourth wall alot the three friends of Aladdin

[@manuelorozco7760]

It does seem rather interesting that the creative team has used ideas that didn't make it into the movie.

[@tiamystic]

This really was enough to bring a cartoon to real life. I don’t really know why they did the live action movie. Same with the lion king

[@victoriamciver9900]

💖

[@timetraveler-zz3ln]

This is what directors do they tweak it until the opening night. And then some.

[@spookybecky]

My highschool did this 😂 I was genie 🧞‍♀️

[@rainyday6512]

I bet the cast would be proud

[@estibalyd6558]

just saw it on Broadway. i was not impressed with Jasmine. however, I was very impressed with the Genie and Aladdin and one of the main back up females, Kathryn Allison

[@kamwrites]

OY at the questions below which are ANSWERED IN THE INTERVIEWS!!!!

[@ddlcp]

RIP RW

[@lucialanave8105]

James M. Iglehart is perfection. Needs to win that Tony. I'll call it racism if he doesn't win.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I loved him as Bobby in Memphis

[@wellyvr1020]

I WAS THERE!!!!!?

[@Flormicaela]

3:56 best moment

[@mayaharrison3138]

wow

[@KlonkyDonkers]

It's not hard to find out how the carpet ride worked. Wire. Wire from the ceiling.

[@AudreyE2872]

2:42 SAVAGE

[@ojsimpson812]

Brought here by Guillermo

[@user-vk6ef6ld7s]

バブカックオマールアラジンカシーム 日本とリズムこんなに違うんだ！バーブカック って感じ

[@eeveevdk]

I know how tha carpet fly's but you have to findoit yourself its to dificuild to say

[@TurtleMaster326]

I would say how the carpet works..... but its a secret

[@ibt2811]

I saw the thing

[@sentient7707]

casting a sexy slightly older pair

[@user-ir6px3uf6g]

海外の劇団四季ですか？

[@chloecasto1705]

40

[@tsukkikoi1783]

*OVER* *50O* *MILLION* *DOLLARS*

[@belenmartin40]

AD🎁

[@hollyh6732]

I just saw and Jasmine sucked

[@Karla_1987]

This is just american version with ugly casts... Nothing to do with the original look