Jonathan Freeman Takes on Jafar in 5th Ave's ALADDIN!

Broadway star Jonathan Freeman who originated one of Disney's most notorious villains, will have the rare opportunity to bring that character to life on-stage when he plays the evil royal vizier Jafar in the premiere of the new stage musical of Aladdin at The 5th Avenue Theatre this July. With The Book of Mormon's Casey Nicholaw directing, Aladdin plays July 7-July 31 (press opening July 21) at The 5th Avenue Theatre (1308 5th Avenue, Seattle). For tickets and information, the public may visit www.5thavenue.org, or call the Box Office at (206) 625-1900. Tickets may also be purchased at 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849). The full cast will be announced shortly.

A seasoned performer, Freeman has a long list of credits in Disney films, TV shows, and stage productions. In addition to his celebrated role in the 1992 Academy Award^TM-winning film Aladdin film, Jafar (a character he continued to voice for the Aladdin sequel as well as a number of Disney specials and TV shows), he has appeared in nearly every Disney Theatrical Productions Broadway show, including Grimsby in the original cast of The Little Mermaid and Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast. He is currently portraying Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman in Mary Poppins on Broadway. He makes his first appearance at The 5th in Aladdin.

"I am so thrilled that Jonathan will make his 5th Avenue debut in this production," says Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong. "He is one of the greatest character actors in Broadway history, and I think audiences will be fascinated to see him now play the role he created in the animated film, live on-stage."

Freeman is no stranger to the Great White Way. He received a Tony^TM Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his turn as the Headwaiter in She Loves Me. His other Broadway credits include Roger De Bris in The Producers, Bert Barry in 42nd Street, Pitkin W. Bridgework in On the Town, and Mr. Bratt in the 1996 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Freeman has also been seen Off-Broadway at City Center Encores, Primary Stages, Carnegie Hall, The Public Theatre, and many others. He has performed around the country in such prestigious houses as Seattle Repertory Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Houston Grand Opera, and Williamstown Theater Festival, to name a few.

Music for Aladdin is by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tangled), who has won a total of eight Oscars®, more than any other living person; lyrics are by the late Howard Ashman (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid) and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess, The Lion King). Aladdin librettist Chad Beguelin wrote the books for The Rhythm Club, Wicked City and The Wedding Singer, which premiered at The 5th Avenue in 2006. Menken and Beguelin contribute additional lyrics.

This new Aladdin incorporates all of the beloved songs from the film's Oscar®-winning score plus never-before-heard Menken/Ashman songs restored from early drafts of the score. The new musical marks a return to the authors' original vision: a loving homage to the Hope-Crosby "Road "pictures with a score invoking the jazz sound of stars like Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.

Special thanks to The 5th's 2010-11 season co-sponsors Safeco Insurance and US Bank. We are happy to announce Union Bank as a production sponsor for Aladdin.

More about The 5th Avenue Theatre
The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of the nation's premier incubators for new musicals. In the past decade, it has produced ten premiere musicals, five of which have been produced on Broadway, and two of which have won Tony^TM Awards for Best Musical (Hairspray and Memphis). The 5th Avenue Theatre is also known for its world class, critically acclaimed productions of musicals chosen from both the contemporary canon and the Golden Age of Broadway.

Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, this exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater. Today, under the leadership of Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong, Managing Director Bernadine Griffin and Producing Director Bill Berry, The 5th Avenue Theatre attracts an annual attendance of more than 287,000 and ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies.

In addition to its main stage productions, The 5th Avenue Theatre is also committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its extensive Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program, and Spotlight Nights. For more information about The 5th Avenue Theatre, its season and its programs, please visit www.5thavenue.org.