Disney's ALADDIN to premiere at Seattle's 5th Ave. Theatre this summer- Page 4

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 6:20pm

weird i JUST now posted a pic of Brady and Drew Carey on my FB page, saying they should be writing or revising musicals around them. i was thinking LITTLE ME for Brady, but this IS an inspired fit. i heard PaperMill tried to get him for FORUM and i think he dropped out of that West Coast WIZ right (not the Encores one in NYC which might have fit him). Genie material for sure. Where does LETS MAKE A DEAL shoot? Vegas to fit his act there too? i saw that act on TWO trips to Vegas and he's magical (so to speak) with an audience...so flexible and quick. Dances well too.

[Overkill]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 8:28pm

Wayne Brady would be amazing in more theatre roles, but he just doesn't have the discipline for them. He dropped out of THE WIZ at La Jolla, missed many performances of his run in CHICAGO, turned down the role of Simba in the OBC of THE LION KING, turned down FORUM at the Papermill.

[CandiceElyse]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 9:27pm

I would love KDM as Aladdin, I think his voice fits the songs PERFECTLY! plus i love him. but i do understand people wanting them to pick someone who looks more middle eastern. perhaps nicholas rodriguez?

[steven22]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 9:43pm

Kyle Dean Massey would be great.

[TheLadyoftheWood]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 12:52am

They wanted Wayne Brady to play Simba? That just sounds preposterous. He is a baritone, there is no way he could hit those notes 8 times a week. I would love to see him as Genie anyway.

[Overkill]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 9:09am

He reported it. Said he turned it down for Whose Line Is It Anyway. He can sing tenor pretty well. He just tends to stick with baritone sometimes. Especially when he's improving.

[candydog2]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 3:05pm

Personally I'd love to see Robin Williams go with the show to Broadway, no one plays the genie like him. It's not an impossible career move for him at this time either.

As for the leads, I can imagine Disney will cast unknowns.

[Overkill]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 7:50pm

I agree, I'd love to see Robin come back in the show, but it won't happen in a million years. Not only that, but he's doing BENGAL TIGER.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 8:19pm

I imagine Abu, Iago and the carpet will be puppets which should be interesting to do especially Carpet.

[Overkill]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 8:34pm

I think that Abu will be cut out completely, like he was in the CA show. It would make sense with Aladdin having the three new friends, anyway.

[Rob]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 9:21pm

Here's the official announcement + the design team:

Click Me

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 9:30pm

They seemed to have put together a competent production team.

That puts them several steps ahead of The Little Mermaid already.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 9:36pm

I liked Abu in the film but TBH he's not that essential a character especially as he doesn't talk. I imagine Rajah will be cut as well. Iago they might keep but not the end of the world if he is cut.

I think the main thing I'm interested in this show is how The Genie is done on stage and key moments from the films like A Whole New World and Prince Ali are done on stage.

Wonder if they'll be new songs or will just be the cut songs along with the films songs.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 1/13/11 at 9:47pm

Too bad it's not planned for Broadway right now though:

"Our goal with this pilot production of Aladdin at The 5th Avenue is to launch this title for inclusion in our innovative professional and regional theatre licensing catalog"

[smurfymurphy]

Posted: 1/14/11 at 2:07am

Wow. This is my girlfriend's all time favourite movie. That means that whether it ends up being good or not, I'm going to be checking it out with her. So lets hope for the best.
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