James Monroe genie hype?

You're not crazy. I'm totally with you. He's a charming guy but the performance to me was incredibly overhyped.

Michael James Scott is much better in the role!!!!!!!!!

Rather he's awful or not he has the TONY at his home somewhere on the fireplace or coffee table. Now I have no problem with people judging performances IF they can do equally or better than that of the person giving it. Now is your critique based on the "Robin Williams" adaptation or the original Cab Calloway version which is the one he's actually doing?????

Now is your critique based on the "Robin Williams" adaptation or the original Cab Calloway version which is the one he's actually doing?????

Not sure where you're coming from -- Cab never originated the role of the Genie, JMI simply emulated the style for which he was known for. That being said, I am familiar with Cab's work, and I don't believe he does him justice. Cab was smooth, and while energetic, retained a collectiveness about him.

Broadwaystar2, by your logic, am I right to assume that every critic working in New York is at least as talented if not more talented than every actor to whom they've given negative reviews?

I'd like to see John Tracey Egan take on this role at some point. the idea of an African American Actor as the Servant of the Lamp makes me nervous.

I'd like to see John Tracey Egan take on this role at some point. the idea of an African American Actor as the Servant of the Lamp makes me nervous.

The production team is obviously set on an African-American genie -- JMI mentioned in an interview that "they auditioned every brotha in New York but me".

Saw aladdin way too many times (cause this would be
the first choice for my visiting friends and family to choose
only one broadway show, it used to be The Lion King)

saw it with the understudies of Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie.
(Not at the same time)

James was definitely the highlight of the show. (Also Courtney)

Here's what I thought about Genie & Jasmine's understudies
(Michael and Lauryn)

They are perfect, by the book.
They are vocally perfect and make less mistakes
than James and Courtney. But they both lack charisma
(which is exploding from James and Courtney) so I understand
why James and Courney were cast and I also understand
perfectionist would prefer the understudies because charisma
and soul is personal preferences and very subjective.

I know a lot of people didnt like the fact that James is always
so visibly exhausted during friends like me
And a lot say that Courtney is not strong vocally.
But they both have amazing presence and charisma!!!
So I felt like everytime I go see the show and they are out,
I would feel bad for my family and friends..

And yes, for me it was that bad, my opinion, Michael and Lauryn
are amazing performers but they are not memorable,
it felt like I was at a table reading at some point.
I don't know if understudies are supposed to be a carbon copy
but those two were like robots with no soul.

Updated On: 7/27/14 at 10:44 PM

I'm with you. I never really got the over the top adulation for this performance. Like you said he seems like a nice guy, and from everything that I've heard that's true, and he certainly works his butt off in the show….but at the end of the day I was kind of underwhelmed. He's obviously super talented, but I just didn't think that performance was in the same league as say Danny Burstien in CABARET.

@2blocksfrombway

Or Joshua Henry in Violet.

Ahhhh the inevitable backlash against a performer whose performance has been highly praised and almost universally liked.

I think his performance is amazing, but still could not get the voice of Robin Williams out of my head - you will either buy into his performance on stage (and love the ride) or probably go, "He's no Robin Williams"