I loved the show, but it did have two main problems: the climax and too much focus on ensemble dance numbers and not enough on the leads.
I think the show could benefit from chopping down the dance numbers (Arabian Nights, Prince Ali, and the finale all had verrrry extended dance numbers that, while lovely, quickly wore out their welcome) and added in more character scenes. I actually didn't mind Courtney Reed, but Jasmine is not really given a lot to do. I'm not sure why that one reviewer thought Jasmine had been changed into a 'feminist cliche,' when almost all of the dialogue regarding her being forced into marriage and being treated like a prize to be won were staright from the film. I actually liked that they fleshed out her character a little bit with lines regarding her lack of experience--something like "how can I ever be a good queen to my people, when I don't even know my people?" This could be expanded to give her more to do.
The climax, like The Little Mermaid's new climax for the stage, is what really falls flat. The climax starts at the wedding. Aladdin enters and is about to reveal his secret to everyone, when Jafar enters with Genie and a captive Jasmine. From there it went downhill.
Jafar isn't that much of a threat at all here. His first wish was to make Jasmine his prisoner (instead of being an all powerful sorcerer--and considering that he had a spell book but did not do any magic in the show, maybe this should have been his wish!) but nobody seems to really... care? The Sultan doesn't actively try to rescue his daughter, the guards--who appear with Babkak/Omar/Kassim moments later--aren't rushing to save their princess, which begs the question--do the guards listen to Jafar? Or the Sultan? And why would Jafar need to use his wish to make Jasmine his prisoner, when he seems perfectly capable of slapping some chains on her wrists on his own?
The Prince Ali reprise, where he reveals that Ali was Aladdin, was wonderfully sung but in context it didn't make sense. Jafar literally just takes off Aladdin's hat for the "big" reveal as Aladdin. It was silly.
Jafar's second wish is to be the Sultan. Admittedly, the quick costume changes here (and for his final wish) were simple but visually great. But here, too, Jafar is woefully under utilized as a villain and threat. He just made himself the Sultan. This should bring some kind of change! But the wedding guests hardly seem to react, the Sultan is nonplussed, and it's just moments later when Aladdin gives out the tricky "You're not the most powerful, Genie is!" line, which leads to the Genie wish and Jafar's newfound home inside a lamp.
Why not extend this sequence to make Jafar's wishes actually threatening? Threaten to keep Jasmine in a dungeon for the rest of her life or say you're leaving Agrabah with your new prisoner. Have the guards obey Sultan Jafar and arrest the former Sultan or make everyone in the wedding party bow down to him or something other than saying you'll get rid of Aladdin. Just... something.
Updated On: 11/22/13 at 12:37 AM
.jpg?format=auto&width=300)
