We love Disney theme parks, but you can get Disney magic without traveling to California or Florida. We’re always watching Disney movies in theaters and on Disney+, but you can also catch musicals based on your favorite movies when they travel to a nearby city.
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Disney has musicals that travel and have residencies on Broadway, and this musical just made a first-ever casting decision, and we’re obsessed.
Disney’s Aladdin has been on the New York City stage for 12 years, and for the first time, a woman will play the iconic Genie role when the show debuts a new cast member in October. Say hi to Sherri Shepherd, who you might know from The View.
She is the first woman to play Genie on Broadway and in any of the 11 Disney-produced stage adaptations of Aladdin worldwide. In a press statement, Shepherd said, “Joining Aladdin on Broadway is an absolute dream come true — and an incredible honor. The Genie is such an iconic character, and I’m beyond excited to bring my own energy, humor, heart, and a little bit more magic to the role.”
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She also said that she hopes “audiences see themselves in this Genie and leave the theater feeling so much joy and inspired to believe in the impossible.” Shepherd says she is not taking this role lightly, as it is her history-making turn as the first woman to play Genie.
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“I’m ready to rub the lamp, unleash some magic, and have the time of my life on Broadway.” Previous Genie actors include Major Attaway, Michael James Scott, and Caleb A. Barnett. James Monroe Iglehart, who originated the part on the New York City stage, even won a Tony for the role in 2014.
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Shepherd is taking on the role on October 16th and will continue through January 3rd at the New Amsterdam Theater. We’re excited to see how she takes on the role and what the audience thinks. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney news.
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