Yeah, but it was a shelved project in the animation department. If Disney can make beautiful original Animated Musicals. I don't see why they haven't developed an original project for the stage.
I saw the show in Seattle and thought it was a lot of fun. Director Casey Nicholaw ("Drowsey Chaperone", "Book of Mormon" co dir.) did his best to keep the show light, quick paced and full of ongoing put down zingers that the audience seemed to love. In fact the audience was extremely enthusiastic and seemed to be having a great time. What I enjoyed most was Nicholaw's choreography which was a real treat to watch.
Since the show is sheer fluff, besides having an energetic and earnest cast, what it really needed for me were some awesome special effects we've become use to seeing in Disney stage productions. At least splurge on the flying carpet effects during the "Whole New World" number. Granted the 5th Avenue production used a hydraulic lift but it was stationary so the carpet could only go up and down. Forget anyone flying over your heads Poppin's style folks. I feel if the show did have some intriguing effects that it could be a thoroughly fulfilling night/day in the theatre. I've walked out of some Disney shows where the audience looks exhausted and void of expression. The after show audience at ALLADIN was bopping to the exit music with grins on their faces. A good sign. I passed Menken who was still seated two rows behind me on the way out. I caught his glance and gave him a two thumbs up sign. He replied back with an almost "Duh!" look on his face....lol.
In answer to your question I enjoyed Seattle's ALLADIN much more than Broadway's THE LITTLE MERMAID and TARZAN. I found the scenery offensive in both. Down right ugly. I do have to credit the shipwreck scene in the beginning of TARZAN though which I loved. Otherwise both bored the hell out of me. Given an upscaled production on Broadway, I'd definitely give it another look.
Below are excepts from two reviews that are accessible on line. Misha Berson of the Seattle Times sums it up best. The guy from a paper in the Bay area really didn't care for it.
Excerpt from the Seattle Time's theatre critic:
Burned by two expensive New York flops based on other animated movies ("Tarzan," "The Little Mermaid"), Disney has tried to keep its expectations low for "Aladdin," and maintain a small-is-beautiful ethic upfront.
That's good, because the show needs work to create a truly separate theatrical identity. Meanwhile, Nicholaw and company give their all to keep it popping, and that's a lot.
San Francisco Bay critic:
Ultimately, it seems as if the creative time has tried to reinvent this show as a musical comedy and you have to wonder why? The screenplay to the movie was fine as it is and there was likely a reason that some of the songs in this show were cut from the film. Why try to fix what isnt broken? Are children and families who would pay to see this so into theater that they care about the inside jokes? This show works better in the second act, when it just focuses on telling the story of the four main characters. One would have to imagine that this production needs massive rewrites and a better clarity of tone before it could be considered ready for The Great White Way.
What about the less discerning critics? The kids. My 6 year old soon to be stepdaughter claims to have loved the show, but admitted she liked Mary Poppins more; a show she slept through in the second act.
You "can confirmed"? Yeah, you sound reliable with your horrible grammar.
They will not close The Lion King, it makes more money on a bad week then Mary Poppins does in a good week. That show is the staple of Disney Theatrical Group and is "known" for being THE big Disney show.
^if Poppins has another 4/5 years in it, atleast, then Lion King has 10 possibly 20 more years left in its run. It's the fifth longest running Broadway show and still sells out, some weeks even topping Wicked. I also doubt they'll close Poppins, the company's new Beauty. If Mermaid taught them anything it's not to put all their eggs in one basket. Poppins may transfer, but it's making far too much to consider closing. Depending on the technical limitations of the set, this could fit in quite nicely at a mid-sized house, like the Lunt or the Simon.
I'd place bets on the Lunt or Palace. Like I've said many times, I am sure they want to get the Lunt back. That theatre is/was practically their second New Amsterdam in that they had DTP shows in it for 10 years. They know from experience with Tarzan that the stadium style seating of the Rodgers makes the mezz overhang sightline much worse and will eliminate the view of any aerial action they might want to incorporate in the show. I know this is somewhat standard for most shows in that the rear orchestra vies are slightly obstructed, but with Tarzan the overhang obscured all aerial flying from the last 10 rows. There were so many complaints they eventually had to had video screens, which I'm sure did little to quell the complaints as Disney didn't sell the tickets as obstructed view.
Both shows Disney have done in the Lunt have not been very elaborate. For Beauty and the Beast they scaled back the set, and Little Mermaid was just... well we all know how that show looked. If they are going to do another Broadway show, I hope the return to the lush and gorgeous scenery used for the original Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, and Mary Poppins. Not another Tarzan or Little Mermaid.
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joined:2/5/09
Posted: 8/17/12 at 06:59pm