The magic continues: Aladdin celebrates 9tth Anniversar y on Broad way

By MoMar G. Visaya AJPress

ALADDIN, the hit musical based on the Academy Award®winning animated film, celebrated its 9th anniversary on Broadway last March. The hit musical opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre to critical acclaim on March 20, 2014, and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years.

THE Broadway production is now among the top 20 longestrunning Broadway shows in history as it recently played its 3,000th performance. It has broken 16 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and spawned nine productions on four continents

“We’re coming up to legendary status,” Michael James Scott, who plays the role of the Genie, told the Asian Journal. “Nine years of Aladdin is a triumph. It’s just that doesn’t happen in Broadway, in our industry often.”

The show’s longevity and how it has stood the test of time around the world are a testament to its success. The heart of the story is what stands out to some of the cast members as the story is universally loved, and everyone knows the tunes of Aladdin in every corner of the world. In the 3,093 performances comprising Aladdin’s run thus far, a cumulative audience of 4.3 million has been treated to a staggering number of special effects:

• Aladdin and Jasmine have flown over 100 miles on the magic carpet while singing the Oscar-winning “A Whole New World”

The Genie has set off over 115,000 pyrotechnics in the showstopping “Friend Like Me” In the Act Two opener “Prince Ali,” the cast and wardrobe team have made more than 200,000 lightning-fast costume quick changes

“It’s an honor to be a part of this beautiful long-running show that so many people have been in and out, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it now,” shared Sonya Balsara who joined the cast as Princess Jasmine early this year.

Filipino American Angelo Soriano is in his eighth year in the show. As a swing, he has taken on most of the twelve male ensemble tracks and two principal tracks for the roles of Omar and Iago.

“I have to be ready to go at any moment’s notice,” he told us. “The show really keeps me u PAGE 10