Princess Jasmine Sings “To Be Free” at Disney’s California Adventure (LaughingPlace.com)
Recently LaughingPlace.com shared Broadway World‘s report that a new stage musical version of Aladdin featuring the songs of Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice was coming to Seattle. Now comes official word that a new Aladdin stage musical featuring 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 will begin previews on July 7 and runs until July 31, 2011 at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Librettist Chad Beguelin who wrote the books for The Rhythm Club, Wicked City and The Wedding Singer, which made its premiere at The 5th Avenue in 2006 will contribute additional lyrics.
The new Aladdin musical will be a loving homage to the Hope-Crosby road pictures, which was the author’s original vision and will feature a score invoking the jazz sounds of stars like Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.
Steve Fickinger, VP Creative Development and Licensing for Disney Theatrical Productions, said, “Responding to extraordinary demand from our licensing customers for a full length, two-act version of Aladdin, Alan Menken brought to us the idea of returning to the highly theatrical vision he and Howard Ashman had originally conceived but that had proved unsuitable for the film. Our goal with this pilot production of Aladdin at The 5th Avenue is to launch this title for inclusion in our innovative professional and regional theatre licensing catalog.”
Tickets for Aladdin are available by calling 206-625-1900/toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at 5thavenue.org.