Disney’s Aladdin bound for Sydney

Disneys Aladdin Capitol Theatre SydneyDisney’s Aladdin, a new musical comedy based on the classic Academy Award-winning animated film, will open in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre in August 2016.

Adapted from the Disney film and centuries-­old folktales including One Thousand and One Nights – Aladdin is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical, sweeping audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance.

Opening on Broadway to critical acclaim in March 2014, Aladdin quickly established itself as the biggest blockbuster in recent years, already welcoming over one million people and breaking eight New Amsterdam Theatre house records. This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

With a book by Beguelin, Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten), design by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, five-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.

The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.

The animated film Aladdin was released by Disney in 1992 and was a critical and box office smash, grossing over $500 million worldwide (not adjusted for inflation) and becoming the highest-grossing film of the year.

The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song A Whole New World, which won the second of the film’s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song. The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“We are very excited to be partnering once again with the New South Wales Government and Destination NSW on Aladdin, our third production to premiere in Sydney,” said President and Producer, Disney Theatrical, Thomas Schumacher. “Director Casey Nicholaw and his team have created an entertainment as full of heart as it is joy and I cannot wait until we get to play it in Sydney, one of the world’s great theatre cities.”

“Fabulous and extravagant with relentless razzle dazzle” – New York Times

Disney’s Aladdin opens at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in August 2016. For more information, visit: www.aladdinthemusical.com.au for details.

Image: Arabian Nights from Aladdin – photo by Deen van Meer