Aladdin on Broadway

On Sunday I saw 'Aladdin' - the new Disney musical at the beautifully restored New Amsterdam Theatre.  I enjoyed it. Wonderful romantic music, gorgeously extravagant costumes, beautiful sets and lighting and magical special
effects.  I enjoyed the very talented cast.  Newcomer Adam Jacobs was a handsome, energetic and comical Aladdin with a beautiful tenor voice, Tony winner James Monroe Engelhart was an hysterically funny showstopping Genie. His big song and dance number 'Friend Like Me' was unforgettable.  And Jonathan Freeman was a
perfectly villainous Jafar.  Two days later the catchy song 'Prince Ali' still sings inside my head.  The magic carpet ride was a wondrous special effect.  My only complaint is that the book 
of this musical could have been written with a little more sophistication with a focus on the romance, instead of so cartoon-like with a focus on the Keystone Kop chase scenes. Disney on Broadway altered 'Mary Poppins' for the stage by focusing on the conflicts of the story's mother and father.  The stage version of 'The Lion King' was rewritten to focus more on its connection to 'Hamlet'.  'Newsies' emphasized the importance of the history of the 1899 newspaper strike and built up the character of Joseph Pulitzer.  But it was probably the intent of the producers of 'Aladdin' to focus on the children in the audience rather than the romantic adults. Nevertheless I must recommend it as a satisfying entertainment.  Disney on Broadway delivers unfailingly.

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