After seeing videos of both the 5th Ave and MUNY production I don't see why Disney just doesn't expand on what they did for the Oscar performance for A Whole New World. I think the costumes, orchestrations and everything else are on point. Here is the link. Let me know what you think.
I know that with the right team this could make it to Broadway and work. I saw the production in California and thought it was decent if they polished it up, expanded the material and upped the design quality it could work. I like the look of the Oscar video though.
The review states that Iago is a bird again... didn't the Seattle production make him a human henchman but have a throwaway joke about him not being a bird?
^It might be a slight reference to the film. I'm pretty sure the genie has a set of golf clubs among his belongings at the end of the film when Aladdin sets him free, and he packs all his stuff to go on vacation. It's probably just in effort to incorporate some of the "randomness" of Robin Williams' genie from the movie. 5th Avenue had the right idea though.
I've never seen a set that elaborate at the MUNY, where the shows are usually filled with backdrops that are clearly hand painted. It seems fairly obvious that Disney's piped quite a bit of enhancement money into this production.
Unfortunately, it also seems fairly obvious that the production lacks any and all magic or inventiveness.
Yea. I'm sorry that entire thing seemed really flat. Especially " A Whole New World." They are basically just sitting up there...not moving? We only get to see a small picture of the entire scene but it doesn't look like much else is going on.
From what I've seen I like the vocal arrangements ALOT I like the production but needs refining, but the Genie is not vocally up to par, He doesn't do it for me.
I still can't get over the fact that they got Robin de Jesus and Curtis Holbrook mixed up! Robin would be a hilarious Igao and Curtis a charming Aladdin.. But no it's the other way around..
I'm hoping that Disney rethinks about bringing it to Broadway. Big Budget and this could work!
At the California Adventure show, the Genie is given a great deal of leeway with the script (frankly, far more than any other Disney P&R entertainment cast members are ever given), and he makes a lot of topical references. The last time I saw the show there was a Michele Bachmann reference that was a hoot (but annoyed some members of the audience that afternoon).
Not sure what it's like in a full production like this, but in the 45 minute theme park version of the show, the Genie is clearly the star (to the point that he even gets the last bow).
adamgreer, Genie's clearly the star in the Aladdin Jr adaptation, as well. He gets the two big numbers and the extra songs cut from the film go to him and Jafar.
I think the MUNY production looks lovely. The costumes are great.
A Whole New World really needs visual bang to make it work. It's a deceptively simple ballad that can feel naked without something going on. That YouTube link in the first post is quite lovely. The few seconds in the press clip, not so much. Of course it's not really fair to judge the song based on that, but it really was the two leads sitting on the carpet and singing.
Both the 5th Ave and MUNY productions just look so hammy. I know the idea is that it's an homage to the Hope-Crosby road pictures, but I think what would really make this show work would be if it really embraced it's Arabic roots and became an homage to its literary heritage as well. That means lose the candy-colored costumes and cartoonish staging (except for the Genie I suppose) and treat this show as a work of art in its own right, not a stage production of a children's movie. What makes the Lion King work is that in everything from costumes to score, it's a celebration of African culture. It wouldn't be the same if they had just put a bunch of people in brightly colored cat costumes and added ten more Elton John songs.
In the MUNY video, Arabian Nights looks pathetic. That number could sizzle with an ounce of creativity and inspiration.
I'm not seeing this one (too many little kids running around) but from what I'm hearing, the Genie is clearly the star of the Muny production. I'm told he "steals the show." I'm also hearing people saying it's their favorite Muny show ever, so it clearly has that Disney appeal to a certain theater going crowd.
From the highlights, overall the MUNY production falls flat for me. The sets look better than most MUNY productions, but they aren't that much better than the Seattle production (just bigger to accommodate that rediculously huge stage). I just feel John Tartaglia is either miscast or I'm just not a fan of his choices. He plays Genie like he is Aladdin's "sassy gay friend.' I'm really hoping the carpet moves around somewhat, bc if not that is a real disappointment. Idc if it was on a black unit, just make it move! At least the Seattle cherry poker carpet was in the air. I also dont know how I feel about a lyric being "O.M.G." and you all have already covered the golfcart and segway, lol. But I wasn't impressed with their MERMAID production either, so it might just be me. That is just a rediculously large stage to fill!
I did like the real camels, though!
I love adding in all of the cut songs, but if Disney really wants to bring this to Broadway (even though they say they don't), it needs a lot more work - (and I'm just judging on some of the material Ive heard, not set designs, etc. since I realize this is only a regional production.
I imagine if it ever makes it to Broadway it'll go that route for the carpet except during "A Whole New World" they'd have to ditch the fake Jasmine and Aladdin (sorry to ruin any disney magic for you).
That's the only problem, the theme park production uses several stunt doubles through out the show. Why they try to make it as seamless as possible, the doubles are still not as good as the actual performer and it gives the magic away.
I really do hope that Aladdin comes to Broadway but that it isn't rushed and ends up like Tarzan and the Little Mermaid. I am willing to wait until they get it right.
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Posted: 7/6/12 at 11:28pm