David Mirvish & Disney Theatrical Group/Aladdin, ebook by Chad Beguelin, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin, music by Alan Menken, choreographed and directed by Casey Nicholaw, Princess of Wales Theatre, to Mar. 17. Tickets right here.

For all you musical theatre professionals on the market who’re planning to skip Aladdin as a result of it’s a Disney children’ present, suppose once more. It’s a vastly entertaining outing for individuals of all ages.

Beautiful units (Bob Crowley), vibrant costumes (Gregg Barnes), fantastic lighting (Natasha Katz), and kick-ass choreography (Casey Nicholaw, who additionally directed) make for a visible feast. Then there’s the fabulous particular results and projections (Jeremy Chernick and Daniel Brodie) to not point out the phantasm design (Jim Steinmeyer and Rob Lake). The magic carpet actually does fly in spectacular style.

The explanation I’m mentioning the theatrical credit first is as a result of they anchor the present. Manufacturing quantity after manufacturing quantity assaults the senses. It needs to be the toughest working forged in musical theatre historical past.

Fortunately, there’s additionally the tuneful music (Alan Menken) underlying all the pieces, so you could have that to hearken to all through, as a result of the diction/enunciation in Aladdin is appalling. It’s not a listening to drawback as a result of the forged is miked very effectively. It’s simply you could’t make out a phrase they’re singing. It’s an American drawback as a result of, in forty second Road that was simply on the town from London’s West Finish, you could possibly make out the lyrics of each track, irrespective of if it have been a solo or ensemble.

Compounding the issue is that phrases are additionally lacking within the spoken supply attributable to sturdy accents. For instance, the all-important Genie (Marcus M. Martin) speaks with a robust jive cadence that obscures phrases. Fortunately, the man has charisma up the whazoo so he ropes you in with sheer appeal. Within the case of Iago (Aaron Choi), the Grand Vizier’s henchthingy, his phrases are impenetrable.

Mercifully, you possibly can perceive Aladdin (Adi Roy), Princess Jasmine (Senzel Ahmady), and the Sultan, the princess’ father (Sorab Wadia) after they communicate. Aladdin’s buddies, nevertheless, are a blended bag. Babak (J. Andrew Speas) and Omar (Kyle Caress) are hit or miss, whereas the chief Kassim (Brandon Burks), is as clear as a bell. The fingers down winner within the speech and singing division is Jafar, the Grand Vizier himself (Anand Nagraj) who has an imposing voice.

General, it’s a sturdy forged, and, extra to the purpose, a various forged with power to burn. Judging by the names, casting for the musical reached out to the ethnic neighborhood which is accurately. Apparently, when the unique animated Disney film was launched in 1992, regardless of the late, nice Robin Williams because the Genie, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee famous the absence of ethnic voices together with different complaints reminiscent of racial stereotyping.

The stage musical Aladdin had Broadway tryouts between 2011 and 2013, with Toronto being one of many stops, earlier than opening on the Nice White Approach in 2014 the place the manufacturing remains to be going sturdy. It’s becomeg the tenth highest grossing present in historical past.

Throughout intermission on the opening, I bumped into an acquaintance who commented that he had been doubtful about coming to a Disney children’ present, however was delighted with what he was experiencing, and that is from a man who is aware of and loves theatre.

So, regardless that I missed numerous the sung phrases, there’s nonetheless a wealthy array of eye-popping theatricality to observe, and Menken’s very hummable music for the ears to listen to.

Like I stated, a really entertaining outing.

Are you trying to promote an occasion? Have a information tip? Must know the most effective occasions occurring this weekend? Ship us a observe.

#LUDWIGVAN

Get the each day arts information straight to your inbox.

Join the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — native classical music and opera information straight to your inbox HERE.

Paula Citron is a Toronto-based freelance arts journalist and broadcaster who hosts her personal web site, paulacitron.ca. For over 25 years, she was senior dance author for The Globe and Mail, affiliate editor of Opera Canada journal, arts reviewer for Classical 96.3 FM, and dance previews contributor to Toronto Life journal. She has been a visitor lecturer for varied cultural teams and universities, notably on the function of the critic/reviewer, and has been a panellist on COC podcasts. Earlier than assuming a full-time journalism profession, Ms. Citron was a member of the drama division of the Claude Watson Faculty for the Arts.

Newest posts by Paula Citron (see all)