Aladdin - The Musical, April 20, 2017 ****

MUSICAL THEATRE 

Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice & Chad Beguelin; Book by Chad Beguelin

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions; based on the Disney animated movie, Aladdin 

At Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, until August 27,  2017 

Reviewer: Kate Herbert on Thurs April 20, 2017 

Stars:****

 Review published in Herald Sun Arts online on Thurs April 20, 2017

Genie - Michael James Scott_Photo By Deen van Meer

With its blazing jewel colours and the electrifying energy of Michael James Scott as the audacious Genie, this luscious production of Aladdin ignites the stage at Her Majesty’s on its Melbourne opening night.

In this stage musical based on the 1992 Disney animated movie, Aladdin (Ainsley Melham) is a poor thief who falls in love with Princess Jasmine (Hiba Elchikhe), stumbles upon a magic lamp, then enlists the help of the Genie in the lamp (Scott) to secure his marriage to Jasmine.

Aladdin is an effervescent, musical romance for the whole family with its jaunty, singable tunes (Alan Menken) that draw on a range of music styles, witty lyrics (Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, Chad Beguelin) and a cheeky, comical story (book by Beguelin).

Casey Nicholaw’s direction, staging and vivacious choreography drive the production at a lively pace and owe a great deal to the Broadway and Hollywood musicals of the 1930s and 40s, which is exemplified by the feverish, tap-dancing routine in the Cave of Wonders.

The non-human stars of the show are the lavish set (Bob Crowley) and vivid costumes (Gregg Barnes) that echo the opulence of the fabled Arabian Nights with Moorish tiles, Middle Eastern minarets, decorative screens, draped silks, sequins and gem-encrusted fabrics.

The colours are almost lickable with their rich turquoise, royal purple and blue, magenta, emerald green and gold – lots of gold.

 Friend Like Me-Michael James Scott, Ainsley Melham with cast. Photo Deen van Meer 

Scott is charismatic and mischievous as the Genie, commanding the show with his rich voice, irresistible energy and ratcheting the entertainment level up several gears with his sassy, sexy, show-stopping number, Friend Like Me that brought the audience to its feet.

Melham has a boyish charm as Aladdin, and his voice has a bright timbre and attractive vibrato as he sings Aladdin’s poignant ballad, Proud Of Your Boy, and leads the chorus in the perky, pacey song, One Jump Ahead.

Elchikhe is pert and spirited as Jasmine and Melham’s voice blends well with her warm and pretty tone in their romantic duet, the Oscar-winning tune, A Whole New World, which is literally elevated to new heights as the couple soars over the stage on a magic carpet that defies explanation.

Adam Murphy is the consummate dastardly villain as Jafar, the evil Grand Vizier who carries a cobra-headed staff and communes with his sly sidekick, Iago, played with comic book deviousness by the diminutive Aljin Abella.

Aladdin’s loyal trio of thieving paupers comprises Adam-Jon Fiorentino as feisty Kassim, Troy Sussman as ever-hungry Babkak and Robert Tripolino as sensitive Omar, and their goofy, comic business and song and dance routines are highlights. George Henare is dignified as the beleaguered Sultan.

Aladdin pulsates with vitality and its simple and familiar story of love and magic overcoming adversity and rigid tradition will win the hearts of audiences of all ages.

By Kate Herbert

 

Casey Nicholaw - Director

Bob Crowley - Set Design

Gregg Barnes - Costume

Nastasha Katz - Lighting

 Cast

Michael James Scott - Genie

Ainsley Melham - Aladdin

Hiba Elchikhe - Jasmine
Adam Murphy Jafar – Grand Vizie

Aljin Abella - Iago  

Adam Jon Florentino- Kassim

Troy Sussman - Babkak

Robert Tripolino-  Omar

George Henare - Sultan

Songs

Act 1

Overture

Arabian Nights

One Jump Ahead

Proud of You Boy

These Palace Walls

Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim

A Million Miles Away

Diamond in the Rough

Friend Like Me Genie

Act 2

Prince Ali

A Whole New World

High Adventure

Somebody’s Got Your back

Proud of You Boy - Reprise

Prince Ali -Sultan Reprise

Prince Ali  -Jafar Reprise

Finale Ultimo