Complete cast announced for Seattle production of Disney's Aladdin.

Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed will play Aladdin and Jasmine, respectively, with James Monroe Iglehart as the Genie, in the stage premiere of the Disney musical Aladdin, based on the animated feature.

The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle announced full casting for the show on June 1. The production, starring the previously announced Jonathan Freeman as villainous Jafar (reprising his pungent vocal role from the motion picture), will play July 7-31 under the direction of Casey Nicholaw, who also choreographs.

Aladdin has music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice & Chad Beguelin; and book by Chad Beguelin.

The cast also includes Seattle actor Seán G. Griffin as the Sultan; Don Darryl Rivera as Iago; and, playing Omar, Babkak, and Kassim — a trio of characters originally conceived by the film's creators but not used — Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Brian Gonzales, and Brandon O'Neill, respectively.

Rounding out the ensemble are Tia Altinay, Kristin Culp, Nick DeSantis, Ronald Duncan, C.J. Eldred, Daisy Hobbs, David Janett, Kenway Hon Wai K. Kua, Nikki Long, Stanley Martin, Creighton Oliver, Shanna Marie Palmer, Bobby Pestka, Connor Russell, Manuel Santos, Allysa Shorte, Daniel J. Watts and Matt Wolfe.




Memphis Star James Monroe Iglehart Is Genie in Disney's Aladdin; Adam Jacobs Is Title Hero

Updated On: 6/1/11 at 01:31 PM

I can has?

What an awesome cast. I wish Abu was still in though so Andrew Keenan Bolger could play that part.

Interesting that Iago was kept but not Abu but I guess with the inclusion of Omar, Babkak, and Kassim, the character wasn't needed.

I could easily see transfer to Broadway if the reviews are good but it's up to Disney, they also Newsies at the Papermill but that's the show that more likely to licensed than on Broadway,

It'll also be interesting if any songs from the film are cut, I dont they will but some like One Jump Ahead could be reworked slightly to include Aladdin's friends.

Updated On: 6/1/11 at 02:50 PM

Yes! SOO happy for Courtney. She was excellent in IN THE HEIGHTS.

They don't come much more Arabic than Andrew Keenan-Bolger.

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I always thought the demo of Bakak, Omar and Kasim was pretty dreadful, and as much as I hate seeing Ashman material go, was wisely cut... But on thinking about it, it does make a lot more sense to have them in a stage version to play off of Aladdin. I have a soft spot for Aladdin, but really not sure another Disney adaptation is worth me making the boat ride here from Victoria, to Seattle--I hope some production pics or even design work leaks. Casey's direction could go either way I think.

So, will "Proud of Your Boy" be included into the score? Song brings me to tears.

Really hoping this is good, and transfers!

I definitely read awhile ago that Proud Of Your Boy was in this production.

It was an interview with Menken where he also first mentioned that Beguilin/Sklar were writing additional songs.

I don't recall where I read that interview though, so no link.

Take that for what it's worth.

Also, I remember that Menken said Disney had no plans to transfer this production to Broadway. In the same interview he was also very coy on Newsies' future (which led me to believe that if it does well Disney may explore a Bway production).

I'll try to find this interview.

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