Broadway's Aladdin celebrated a major milestone at its May 17 performance, which was the production's 4,000th performance since opening March 20, 2014, at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The Broadway production is currently the 15th longest-running show in Broadway history. Click here for a list of all the other long runners.
But that wasn't the only notable thing about the May 17 performance. The date also fell on what would have been the 75th birthday of late director-book writer-lyricist Howard Ashman. Along with stage works like Little Shop of Horrors, Smile, and God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, Ashman partnered with composer Alan Menken to revitalize Disney animation via musical theatre, sparking what is frequently called the Disney Renaissance with The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Ashman, who died in 1991 due to complications from AIDS, did not live to see the release of the latter two.
Aladdin on Broadway stands as a particular tribute to the musical theatre icon. Following major story revisions made after Ashman's death, much of the songs he'd written with Menken were left on the cutting room floor, with Tim Rice stepping in to pen lyrics to songs like "A Whole New World" (the Broadway stage adaptation features a book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin). When Disney brought the film to the stage in 2014, much of Ashman's deleted songs were triumphantly reinstated, notably the deeply personal "Proud of Your Boy."
In the May 17 tribute, Calen B. Barnett as the Genie introduced a special post-show performance, which went on to feature Khadija Sankoh, Ari Groover, and Salome Smith from Off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors; Kyra Belle Johnson and Fergie Philippe from the upcoming North American tour of Beauty and the Beast; original Ariel voice artist and Broadway alum Jodi Benson to sing her signature song "Part of Your World"; and Menken, who sang "Proud of Your Boy" while accompanying himself on the piano. Watch the complete performance above.
Aladdin, which reopened September 28, 2021, following the pandemic, has welcomed more than 6.5 million theatregoers to the New Amsterdam. The musical has subsequently spawned 11 productions on four continents and been seen by over 21 people worldwide.
A few trivia facts about the Broadway production鈥攚hich has been among the top 10 highest-grossing shows nearly every week of its run鈥攁nd its special effects: Aladdin and Jasmine have flown over 128 miles on the magic carpet while singing the Oscar-winning 鈥淎 Whole New World鈥�; the Genie has set off more than 150,000 pyrotechnics in 鈥淔riend Like Me鈥�; in the Act Two opener 鈥淧rince Ali,鈥� the cast and wardrobe team have made over a quarter million lightning-fast costume quick changes; and 950 pounds of custom-mixed glitter have been used to create the Genie鈥檚 signature sparkle.
The current Broadway cast is led by Adi Roy in the title role, Sonya Balsara as Jasmine, and Dennis Stowe as Jafar. The show also features Jacob Ben-Shmuel, Colt Prattes and Michael Schimmele as Aladdin鈥檚 sidekicks Omar, Kassim and Babkak, respectively; JC Montgomery as Sultan; and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago. Barnett, Wes Hart, and Marcus M. Martin stand by for several principals.
Adi Roy in Aladdin
Adi Roy and Sonya Balsara in Aladdin
Michael James Scott, Adi Roy, and company of Aladdin
