Musical fans can look forward to a whimsical journey through the Arabian world this spring because Aladdin the Musical is coming to Chicago, Illinois! From May 17 to 28, 2023, the Tony Award-winning musical is taking over the Cadillac Palace Theatre, and it’s set to bring you all the parts you loved from the original film and more! The musical adaptation of the hit 1992 animated film of the same name is based on the book by award-winning playwright Chad Beguelin with music by Alan Menken. The musical will also feature lyrics written by Buegelin, Grammy and Tony Award-winner Tim Rice, and Grammy and Drama Desk award-winner, Howard Ashman. Apart from exemplary writing and widely-beloved soundtrack, the musical features an outstanding cast and a brilliant creative team! If you want to relive the magic of the 1992 film, you should hurry and secure your tickets now to see Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace Theatre!
Aladdin tells the story of a young man who steals food to survive in the Arabian City of Agrabah. He dreams of becoming more than just a “common urchin” and makes something out of himself. Aladdin reflects on his actions and vows never to steal again after his mother’s death. With a twist of fate, Aladdin encounters the beautiful Princess Jasmine, disguised as a common folk, who tries to escape her fate (having to accept a suitable suitor and eventually marriage). Not realizing that Jasmine is the princess, Aladdin becomes attracted to her and takes her to his hideout. They are finally discovered by guards, and Jasmine is sent home. Meanwhile, Aladdin, who was ordered to be executed, was saved by Jafar and Iago.
Jafar then used Aladdin to explore the dangerous Cave of Wonders. He was tasked to retrieve a lamp without touching anything else. The plan went awry when Aladdin touched a gold trinket, leading to the cave shutting itself close. Aladdin, now trapped in the pitched-dark cave, rubs the lamp he found, unleashing a magical genie who will grant him three wishes. What will happen to Aladdin’s fate? What will he wish for, and will he meet Princess Jasmine again? Find out the rest of the story when you come and see Aladdin the Musical at the Cadillac Palace Theatre!
The 1992 film Aladdin is one of Disney’s most popular animated films. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, Aladdin grossed over $1 billion and has been viewed by more than ten million theater viewers. The film’s story is based on old folktales that have entertained people for centuries. Moreover, Aladdin was recorded as Disney’s first animated film to reach the $500 million mark and became the highest-grossing Disney film until 1994. Later, Aladdin won two Academy Awards, while its original song, “A Whole New World,” won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. The film’s phenomenal success led to several sequels, spin-offs, a stage adaption, and a live-action movie released in 2019.
The plans for the stage adaption of Aladdin began in 2010. One year later, the musical premiered in a trial run in Seattle, Washington. The stage musical starred Adam Cabos and Courtney Reed as Aladdin and Jasmine. Meanwhile, actor Jonathan Freeman, who played Jafar in the film, also took over the stage role. The 2011 production brought in acclaimed director Casey Nicholaw, who has notable works including The Prom, The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, and The Drowsy Chaperone.
Three years after its premiere, Aladdin finally opened on Broadway, where it took over the New Amsterdam Theatre. Most of the Seattle cast remained for the production, which later earned five Tony Awards nominations. Meanwhile, actor James Monroe Iglehart, who played the role of Genie, won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. After its Broadway debut, Aladdin also premiered internationally, including a production in London’s West End from 2016 to 2019. In 2017, the musical went on tour in the U.S., kicking off its run at the Cadillac Palac Theatre in Chicago.
The musical not only provides nostalgia for its viewers but the show itself stands on its own thanks to Nicholaw’s brilliant direction and the stellar cast. As expected, Aladdin garnered numerous positive reviews from professional Broadway critics. Elysa Gardner from USA Today mentioned, “Aladdin rubs you the right way. “ she also added, “It (Aladdin) delivers a rush that may surprise folks who attend either as chaperones or to relive their own youths.”
Meanwhile, Associated Press’ Mark Kennedy wrote that Aladdin is “spritely directed and choreographed.” He also commended the director Nicholaw for his work and actor Jonathan Freeman for his role as Jafar. Kennedy described Freeman as “simply delicious, relishing his evil hood.” He also complimented Iglehart for doing justice on the Genie, a role that the late actor Robin Williams formerly owned.
At the New Jersey Newsroom, writer Michael Sommers mentioned that the overall story and show provide great entertainment for the whole family. “The cartoonish musical is modeled after snappy 1960s Broadway musical comedies, complete with passing scenes staged “in-one” in front of a curtain to cover changes in décor. Sure, that’s retro, but it suits the light-hearted material and a Disney crowd who probably prefers familiar formats.”
This 2023, Aladdin makes its phenomenal return to Cadillac Palace Theatre. The musical opens on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023, and will hold its last performance on Sunday, May 28th, 2023. The shows in Chicago are part of the productions’ extensive tour consisting of 32 stops in North America. The touring production features Adi Roy as Aladdin, Marcus Martin as the Genie, Senzel Ahmady as Jasmine, Anand Nagraj as Jafar, and Aaron Choi as Iago. Meanwhile, the show’s creative team is spearheaded by Casey Nicholaw as director and choreographer, Bob Crowley for scenic design, Gregg Barnes for costume, Natasha Katz for lighting, and Ken Travis for sound.
“Aladdin delivers a rush that may surprise folks who attend either as chaperones or to relive their own youths.” – USA Today.
If you are keen on experiencing the musical at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, you would be pleased to know that you are taking part in the musical’s historic return to the iconic entertainment destination. The musical’s North American tour in 2017 opened at the same theater, and now it’s back to entertaining musical lovers in Chicago once again. Operated by Broadway in Chicago, the Cadillac Palace Theatre is a 2,344-capacity venue with almost $250 million in renovation and refurbishment. This ensures that the historic venue provides guests with the optimal entertainment experience. Upon entering the building, guests will be greeted by breathtaking French-baroque-style architecture reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles and the Fontainebleau. Since it was built in 1926, the Cadillac Palace Theatre has hosted some of the most exciting musicals in Chicago, such as Wicked, Shrek The Musical, Mary Poppins, Mel Brook’s The Producers, and many more.
Experience the magical world of Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, and the Genie when you see the remarkable, family-friendly musical Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace Theatre! The show runs for two hours and 30 minutes, with an intermission between acts. If you want to take your kids on to journey to a faraway land and awaken their imagination, grab your tickets now to this much-anticipated musical! Tickets to Aladdin, the musical at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, are now available!