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 Poppi...