Disney’s Aladdin Is A Magic Carpet Ride

Disney’s Aladdin takes the beloved 1992 animated movie and brings life, new songs and stunning set designs to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

The plot basically remains the same – the handsome poor commoner Aladdin (the delightful Adam Jacobs) and beautiful rich feisty princes Jasmine (Isabelle McCalla) fall in love. There is also the evil Jafar (Jonathan Weir) who seeks to become Sultan and usurp the throne.

Aladdin, a true worthy “diamond in the rough” is allowed access to the Cave of Wonders where he takes a magical lamp, complete with a loud lively RuPaulish Genie (Michael James Scott, who steals the show). The musical replaces Aladdin’s kleptomaniac monkey with three comic sidekicks (the funny Zack Bencal, Philippe Arroyo and Mike Lango) and provides Jafar with a small wisecracking sidekick, Iago (well played by Reggie DeLeon) instead of a parrot.

A bromance quickly forms between Aladdin and the Genie and after Aladdin impersonates a prince to win Jasmine’s hand he sets the Genie free.

Similar to the animated film, the Genie (and Michael James Scott’s performance) is the reason to see Aladdin. The musical’s biggest number, “A Friend Like Me,” which includes a medley of songs from other Disney musicals, a mini “Let’s Make a Deal” what’s behind doors one, two and three homage; a brief Genie and Aladdin tango and a spectacular tap dancing finale brought our audience to a standing ovation.

Other standouts during the musical are the magic carpet ride shared by Aladdin and Jasmine as they sing the hit “A Whole New World” and villains Jafar and Iago who deliver comic relief with one liner zingers and plenty of evil laughter. I enjoyed hearing songs from the movie as well as a few that were written for the film but never made it to the screen, as well as a few brand new numbers written especially for the musical (music from Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin).

The jewel toned costumes full of beading and bangles (by Gregg Barnes) and the beautiful sets by Bob Cromley were a joy to watch.

Aladdin is playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through March 31, 2018.

Photos courtesy of the Pantages Theatre, by Deen van Meer.