Aladdin Casts Its Spell at The Orpheum Theatre. You Will Believe a Carpet Can Fly

Just in time for a Theatrical Spectacular to wow the wee ones at Christmastime Disney’s Aladdin returns to the historic Orpheum Theatre as part of the 2023-2024 Bank of America Broadway on Hennepin season. Much like last years FX Extravaganza Frozen, this one is sure to wow audiences young and old alike. You aren’t expecting Shakespeare when you go to one of these Disney Animated films turned into a life action stage musical right? You’re expecting the magic of Disney, the Disney our kids love, the Disney that fueled our imaginations as children, not the Disney that some say is destroying the art of cinema. Let go of all that for two hours and revel in what Disney has built its legacy on, wonder. You’re coming to this show to have fun and if you let yourself, despite a mortgage, a boiler needing repairs, being down to one car, layoffs at the office, and having too many shows scheduled to allow time for….and well anything else, you too will get carried away on a magic carpet ride to a whole new world.

More less following the plot of the animated film Aladdin and featuring its songs including the Academy Award winning Song “A Whole New World” but also featuring a few new songs. As with the animated classic, the story is about Aladdin and Jasmine, but the real star of the show is the Genie and the magic he creates. Chad Beguelin who wrote the book for the musical was wise enough to jettison any idea of trying to emulate Robin Williams and instead give the Genie of the musical his own unique voice and sense of humor. Marcus M. Martin plays the Genie and he steals the show every time he’s on stage. In fact the only downside of Martin’s performance is that he makes Adi Roy’s Aladdin seem bland in comparison. But that’s Roy’s problem, for the audience eats up everything Martin does. He must have performed the role hundreds of times at this point but he gives of the sense that he’s playing not to the audience, but with them. He reacts to their energy and engages with them in what may be scripted bits but he sells them as spontaneous and ad libs. Adi Roy as Aladdin is a bit bland, but perhaps that’s more to do with the script than the performer, though he did seem a little weak vocally as well. Senzel Ahmady is stronger as Jasmine, she has a unique vocal quality that reminded me of a young Barbara Stanwyck, it’s unexpected but gave her character a different edge that worked very well.

If the Genie is the real star then the technical aspects of the show are the next brightest lights on the stage. First of all, it’s wonderfully choreographed and directed by Casey Nicholaw. The members of the ensemble and all the supporting cast really make the stage come alive with the elaborate dance and fight choreography. The special effects designed by Jeremy Chernick and illusions designed by Jim Steinmeyer and Rob Lake are truly magical, the highpoint being the magic carpet ride. I don’t know exactly how they do it, I can guess, but I love the fact that you’re not really sure. All of the effects work in conjunction with some impressive and not overused projections designed by Daniel Brodie and the lighting and set design by Natasha Katz and Bob Crowley. It’s amazing what all Crowley manages to pull off, there must be zero space for another piece of scenery in the wings. Gregg Barnes’ costumes are also exquisite, and it must be mentioned that there are a couple of quick changes that surely informed the gasp inducing moment from last years Frozen.

This isn’t a cheap show what sometimes you can truly say you get what you pay for. If you’ve got Disney fans at home, and can swing it, I’m certain you will have some happy Mouseketeers if you take them. Aladdin Runs through December 10th at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Minneapolis. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://hennepintheatretrust.org/events/disneys-aladdin-orpheum-theatre-minneapolis-mn-2023/

This Holiday season why not start a new tradition of taking in a live theater production with family and friends? It’s a great way to create lasting memories and will give you something to look forward to every year as you experience the magic of live theater. Whether your budget is large or small, there is a show for you. Looking for gift ideas? Don’t we all have enough “stuff”? Give the gift of live theater, go to your favorite theaters website, see what shows they have coming up in the new year and give the gift of an experience over material.

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