Aladdin Toronto previews- Page 3

[funnyman2]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 1:02pm

@Kad, when I first read the song list before the show started, I was surprised to see the intermission where it was (again, I was not familiar with the Seattle production). Like you, I thought it was weird for Act I to end just after the Genie is introduced and the real action picks up. The inclusion of Babkak, Omar and Kassim helps fill out the first act. They colour in more of Aladdin's backstory (they grew up together and used to be street musicians), and introduce the motivation for Aladdin to make his mother proud. Aladdin's new focus to do something with his life helps push Act I along.

[degrassifan]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 3:02pm

"4 songs and a ton of reprises in Act 2. ???????"

I thought this was fairly normal...?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 3:15pm

"Prince Ali" always seemed like a natural place to open Act II to me. It just cried out to be a big spectacle that would benefit from having the intermission time to do a large scene shift and pre-set.

[Hon Lona]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:05pm

I think we are all wondering is this more like The Lion King Mary Poppins in quality or is it like The Little Mermaid

[N2N Nate.]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:09pm

No way this will be on the same level as Lion King. I have a feeling its going to be somewhere between Mermaid and Poppins... or maybe a Tarzan.

[Hon Lona]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:12pm

I know its previews but if it is going to be a family hit rather than a critical hit, I will pass.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:16pm

I am predicting the usual Disney theme park shows. All flash and glittz and little substance.

[Hon Lona]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:18pm

it looks like I am going to Italy. I had such high hopes for this season but now it seems like a dud

[HorseTears]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:20pm

funnyman - thanks for the shot of the cast playbill headshots. Definitely looks like a very diverse cast which is refreshing to see.

[Hon Lona]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:23pm

yes but if I get a bad NYT review people will still see it but I personally hate it when Disney with all its money cannot do a good musical anymore

[N2N Nate.]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:26pm

Did you not see Newsies?

[Hon Lona]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 5:35pm

no I live in Japan but I am still waiting for Disney to have a full fledge musical with great scenery and with a strong book

[Buddy Plummer2]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 10:25pm

^From the revised song list above, it sounds like they're actually on the right track:

One of the things I couldn't stand about Mermaid was how it felt like they were just trying to force the story into the form of a musical. Giving Ursula an unnecessary introductory number, giving Scuttle an unnecessary introductory number... I think we get the trend here. The fact that "Why Me?" (an unnecce- I think you get where I'm going here) was replaced with a number that (from the reports) actually seems to work and advance the plot/ themes, and that Disney clearly isn't skimping out on production values this time around (a truly magical "Friend Like Me" and carpet effect), I'm actually really looking forward to this now :)

[Trish2]

Posted: 11/3/13 at 11:28pm

I find it odd that no one has singled out Adam Jacobs in the title role. How was he? Is this a breakout role for him? I've always enjoyed his voice and stage presence and was hoping this might be the big one for him given it's the lead. Comments?

Updated On: 11/3/13 at 11:28 PM

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 7:52am

Is the pyro the loud, startling type, that would scare a child/those with sensitive hearing?

Just wondering.
Updated On: 11/4/13 at 07:52 AM

[PastorErnst]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 9:46am

I was at the first preview this past Friday night, but haven't had a chance to write my thoughts until now. Overall, I feel Aladdin still has quite a journey ahead of itself before it is ready for Broadway.

The cast did a fine job. James Monroe Iglehart is, by far, the standout in the production. He is already very comfortable with the role of Genie. There are several scenes throughout the show where he can easily get more laughs once he is given free reign to ad-lib his lines. It was also a complete delight seeing Jonathan Freeman on stage as Jafar. Hearing that voice brought me back to my childhood of watching Aladdin on VHS over and over again. The only actor I had an issue with was Clifton Davis who (for whatever reason) decided to play the Sultan with a New Orleans accent. I had thought it was just me, but I heard someone a few rows behind me ask his friend why the Sultan was from the South.

My biggest issue with the show is that they have turned Jasmine into the least likeable Disney princess. I understand that Disney wants to introduce Jasmine as a strong-willed and independent princess, but having "Call Me a Princess" as her introductory song is the wrong call. I don't necessarily have anything against this song, but I came away thinking that she was a complete brat for doing what she was doing. There needs to be another song to introduce this character and give some background to who she is.

The remainder of Act I was fine. There were the typical pacing issues, but those will be tightened during the pre-Broadway run. Act I is the stronger of the two.

Act II opened with "Prince Ali." This was a missed opportunity to begin the act in a grandiose way. I almost prefer the way in which the scene was staged for Disney's California Adventure's production. No riding in on an elephant. No elaborate choreography or stunt work. The parade was minimalistic and boring. "A Whole New World" was magical though. (Can someone on the creative team talk to Spide-Man and get the magic carpet to fly around the auditorium?) However, there are parts that garnered unintentional laughs from the audience (e.g., when the lit up planets on lamp posts were carried on stage). After the iconic song was "High Adventure." What a horrible song. It removed any energy that the show had generated up until this point.

The rest of the act seemed rushed and disorganized. I can only assume that this is because of the two stops during Act II due to technical issues with the set, which may have thrown the cast off a bit.

I will be revisiting the show after it opens and am excited to see what changes will be made. Even with the above issues, I would recommend any family to see Aladdin. It's no The Lion King or Mary Poppins, but it's a fun show.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:03pm

Link here with photos!!! - Early Review Updated On: 11/4/13 at 12:03 PM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:14pm

There is a disclaimer at the end of that post that says the set photos are not from the Toronto show. Do I assume those are from the Seattle production then?

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:15pm

Those photos are of the Disneyland ALADDIN: A MUSICAL SPECTACULAR set.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:15pm

those pics look like the CA Adventure show

[finebydesign]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:19pm

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:23pm

How is the set?

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:39pm

I have faith in Disney they can turn this around (not that it appears to need THAT much work). To see Disney take a production out of town seems they are committed to getting this production right. When was the last time they took something out of town?

[Wildcard]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 12:44pm

In Seattle, the exterior of the Cave of Wonders was a projection. Has it changed for Toronto?

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/4/13 at 1:04pm

I have to wonder why the California Adventure show (which I've seen twice and enjoyed) seems to have a bigger budget than the pre-Broadway tryout. You can see their Cave of Wonders in that photo, and Aladdin flies with Jasmine over the audience, leaps on a wire over the chorus, etc.

Apparently not in the pre-Broadway, though.