"Disney's Aladdin - The Musical" Tour at The Bushnell - A Review

By Nancy Sasso Janis

“Disney's Aladdin - The Musical” is making its Hartford premiere at The Bushnell through Nov. 13.

The star of this Disney Theatrical Productions tour is the technical aspects of the performance. From the outstanding costumes, to the scenic design (by Bob Crowley) and the projections that appear in the various scenes, this is an enchanting musical to watch.

The first act opens with the magical “Arabian Nights” with the Genie and the company dressed in sumptuous costumes. The street rat Aladdin sings the solo “Proud of Your Boy” and Jasmine yearns to experience life outside “These Palace Walls.” After Aladdin, the “Diamond in the Rough,” rubs the lamp and Genie assures him that he’ll “Never Have a Friend Like Me,” the second act opens with the huge production number to introduce “Prince Ali.”

Of course there is no scene that matches the magic of the magic carpet ride in “A Whole New World,” but after events are put into place for the happy ending, the Finale Ultimo that reprises “Arabian Nights'' and “A Whole New World” is also a feast for the eyes.

Disney magic is at work in how Jafar learns of the lamp and bringing the gold-filled cave to the stage. The projections (designed by Daniel Brodie) evoke the renowned Disney animation and there is an ample dose of stage haze in the special effects designed by Jeremy Chernick. There are credited illusion designers, Jim Steinmer and Rob Lake. The onstage costume transformations pile up as the action continues. I noticed some contemporary references in the script, with references to Tik Tok and more.

I vividly remembered the outstanding costume design that was seen in the show on Broadway and the designs by Gregg Barnes do not disappoint. The lush fabrics that grace the stage easily bring the characters to Agrabah and a Sultan’s palace.

This is not to discount the musical elements of this show, with beautiful music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin performed by talented musicians in the “Aladdin Orchestra” under the direction of James Dodgson.

The performers in the large touring cast are very diverse and they all act, sing, dance (and perform swordplay) very well. Adi Roy, who most recently portrayed Phoenix in the reopening of the reopening cast of “Jagged Little Pill” on Broadway, has a wonderful singing voice that he displays throughout the performance.

Marcus M. Martin makes his national tour debut in the larger than life role of the blue Genie. The actor, who graduated from Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre Program, is up to the demands of the role and lights up the stage with his presence.

Senzel Ahmady also makes her national tour debut in the role of the princess Jasmine. Although the beautiful actress was born and raised in the Bay area in California, she studies at NYU.

Anand Nagraj makes his national tour debut in the villainous role of Jafar and has the deep voice to match it. Aaron Choi of Chicago makes his tour debut as the evil one’s sidekick, Iago.

On opening night, the role of the Sultan was well performed by Dwelvan David, the standby for Genie, Jafar and Sultan, and the role of the fortune hunter was played by Melissa Hunter McCann, a swing and the dance captain for the tour. Brandon Burks steps up from the ensemble to play the young Prince Abdullah. Congratulations to all of the members of the ensemble who danced hard in their magnificent costumes.

The trio of Aladdin’s buddies in “Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim” are played by Jake Letts, Ben Chavez, and Colt Prattes.

The opening night curtain was delayed twenty minutes while technical aspects were worked out. Thankfully the sound worked well for the entire performance. The young patrons in the audience seemed to be enchanted by the show, despite the late hour that it ended.

“Aladdin” remains a feast for the eyes that should be experienced at least once. The show is presented with one fifteen minute intermission. bushnell.org
The Bushnell Broadway series is co-sponsored by: Aetna and Travelers'

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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