Broadway's New Genie Major Attaway Talks Dallas Beginnings and Nabbing His Dream Role

As announced earlier this month, the hit Broadway musical Disney's Aladdin will welcome Major Attaway, current Genie standby, in the role full-time starting in February.

Attaway's magical carpet ride to ALADDIN started with overcoming a childhood illness, along with the power of regional theater.

An interview with NBC Dallas/Fort Worth describes the actor - who suffered from Blount's disease, a growth disorder of the shin bone - "wearing out several copies of the VHS tape of ALADDIN, singing along with the now-classic Disney movie, and even videoing himself wearing a leg brace while singing 'A Friend Like Me' at age 13."

Attaway also talks about performing on local stages, including Dallas Theater Center, Theatre Three, WaterTower Theatre, Jubilee Theatre, and Casa Mañana, before arriving in New York.

"Everything I do comes out of Texas. It's a testament to regional theater. For everyone who put Broadway on a pedestal and thinks it is out of reach, it isn't," he said. "Texas has all of the necessary tools to train an actor."

Major is the first actor to assume the role of 'Genie' from original cast member James Monroe Iglehart. Major joined Aladdin in January 2016, marking his Broadway debut.

"Making my Broadway debut in Aladdin was an affirmation beyond imagining," said Attaway after it was announced he would be starring in the show. "To now be given the opportunity to tell this beloved story with this phenomenal Broadway cast every night is definitely a wish granted. I get to play a catalyst for joy and hope, and I'm really looking forward to moving into the lamp on a full-time basis; I've got some BIG TEX-an ideas for redecorating!"

James Monroe Iglehart will play his final performance in Aladdin on Sunday, February 19, 2017, and Major Attaway will take over the role full-time beginning Tuesday, February 21, 2017.

An award-winning actor and singer, highlights from his regional theatre credits include Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.), Big River (Jim), The Mikado (Hot Mikado), Hands on a Hardbody (Ronald McCowan), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II), Ain't Misbehavin (Ken), Rent (Tom Collins), Stagger Lee (T-Bone) and Frosty the Snowman (Frosty). He has performed as a soloist with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, lent his voice talents to commercials, interactive voiceover projects including "Fairy Tale" (Arcadios), and the video game "Battleborn," and appeared in the feature film Carter High.

Aladdin opened to critical acclaim on March 20th, 2014 and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years; last year only the smash musical Wicked was seen by more people on Broadway.

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), 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, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).

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

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy