The touring production of ‘Aladdin’ makes a short magical stop in Cleveland

The story of Aladdin in Western lore dates as far back as the 18th century when it was included as part of “One Thousand and One Nights”, a French interpretation of the Middle Eastern folk tale. In 1992 Disney released an animated version that proved extremely popular and starred the voices of Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin and Jonathan Freeman. The film was produced and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements.

It was followed by a 2019 Disney produced live movie version directed by Guy Ritchie (who co-wrote the screenplay with John August) and starred Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad and Billy Magnussen.

In 2011, Aladdin The Musical premiered at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington and after several regional and international productions in 2012 had a Toronto tryout in 2013. It hit Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014 and has been produced globally ever since and is the 10th highest grossing Broadway production of all times. In 2017 a national tour began in Chicago.

The show features book by Chad Beguelin, music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin. Three songs dropped from the movie were resurrected and four additional songs by Menken and Beguelin were added to the Broadway show.

The audience is welcomed by the Genie (Marcus M. Martin, a BWU Graduate) who introduces us to the city of Agrabah (“Arabian Nights”) that is home to a diverse collection of nobles, common people, misfits and villains. We meet Aladdin (Adi Roy) and his three friends, Kassim (Colt Prattes), Omar (Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson on opening night) and Babkak J. Andrew Speas on opening night). This quartet of street urchins spend their days stealing food in order to survive on the streets (“One Jump Ahead”). When Aladdin is referred to as a “worthless street rat” he vows to show the world that he has much more to offer and makes a promise to give up thievery (“Proud of Your Boy”).

Meanwhile, in the spectacular palace of Agrabah, Princess Jasmine (Senzel Ahmady) is having an argument with her father (Sorab Wadia). She has once again spurned another princely suitor. The Sultan gives her an ultimatum of marriage before her next birthday which is a mere three days away. Jasmine goes back to her chambers to lament as her hand maidens try to comfort her (“These Palace Walls”). Jasmine decides to escape the palace in disguise in order to see the real world.

The news of a possible forced marriage reaches the Sultan’s Grand Vizier, Jafar (Anand Nagraj) who has plans to take over the kingdom himself with the help of his henchman Iago (Aaron Choi). The two set out to find The Cave Of Wonders that is said to hold untold power. They find the cave but are refused entry and are told that only one who is worthy (a diamond in the rough) may enter. Aladdin is revealed to be that person.

Back at the market place, since the four former thieves have gone straight they resort to street performing for survival ("Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim"). It is here that Aladdin first meets Jasmine and the two have a moment that is broken up by the palace guards. Aladdin escapes with Jasmine to his roof top hideout where they talk about how unhappy each of their lives are. In spite of their best efforts, the two are captured with Jasmine escorted back to the palace and Aladdin ordered to be killed. Jafar and Iago intercede and lead the lad to the Cave of Wonders (“Diamond in the Rough”). Owing his life to Jafar, Aladdin agrees to enter the cave.

Aladdin is given a strict warning only to retrieve the lamp and to not touch anything else. Amid all the treasure, Aladdin forgets himself and attempts to steal a jade necklace. The cave angrily seals itself off trapping Aladdin inside. In the darkness, Aladdin rubs the lamp freeing the Genie who offers him three wishes (“Friend Like Me”). The Genie also reveals that his powers are limited. He cannot grant wishes that include murder, romance, reviving of the dead or requesting additional wishes.

Aladdin then tricks the genie into releasing them from the cave without using up a wish. The Genie scolds the youth and tells him that no more magic help will be forthcoming without Aladdin saying “I Wish.” Aladdin then asks the Genie what he would wish for. The Genie reveals that his wish would be for his freedom to which Aladdin promises the last wish will be for just that. Aladdin then uses his first wish to become a wealthy prince and arrives at the palace to woo Jasmine. Not recognizing him at first she spurns his marriage proposal.

Concerning this touring show, while the production values are extremely high, the show is not without it’s flaws. To begin with, it is excessively long, logging in (with intermission) at nearly two and a half hours. Since this is billed as a family show (and there were lots of young princesses and princes in the audience on opening night) many of them would not be getting to sleep until way past their bed time. With a half hour yet to go, the youngsters were getting restless. The show needs to know their audience better and adjust accordingly). Adi Roy as Aladdin does a respectable job with the part during the solos and duets but when thrown in as part of the big production numbers gets lost in the crowd.

On the plus side, the costuming (Gregg Barnes), set design (Bob Crowley), lighting design (Natasha Katz), projection design (Daniel Brodie) and illusion design (Jim Steinmeyer and Rob Lake), special effects design (Jeremy Chernick) and sound design (Ken Travis) are over the top superb. Everything is bright, airy and colorful. The magic carpet is totally believable. The show features various kinds of dance including tap, soft shoe and Broadway ensemble numbers. The music while not memorable does move the story forward.

As for the actors, Marcus M. Martin as the Genie is the glue that holds the show together. He has a truly commanding presence when on stage. There is a great report between Anand Nagraj (Jafar) and Aaron Choi (Iago) who play well against each other as the heavies. Senzel Ahmady (Jasmine) has a wonderful singing voice. Lastly, the frat club of Kassim, Omar, Babkak and Aladdin are a fun collection of high jinx.

There is truly Disney magic sprinkled throughout the show (The magic carpet really does fly). It is engaging for young and old alike and is a pleasing show with high moral values of true love, friendship and promises kept. This is one to take the children to see.

The touring production of “Aladdin” will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio through March 12, 2023. For more information and tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call 9216) 241-2600.