Disney Theatrical Productions and Shiki Theatre Company announce the first international production of Disney’s Aladdin, the smash Broadway musical comedy. Performances will begin in May 2015 at The Dentsu Shiki Theatre Umi in Tokyo.
“The heart and wit of the timeless tale of Aladdin, the Genie and those 3 wishes are beloved by cultures across the globe,” said Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer Disney Theatrical Productions. “We look forward to bringing Casey Nicholaw’s joyous, spectacular production to Japan in partnership with our valued friends at Shiki.”
“I am very honored to be able to bring Aladdin to Japan as its first production outside of Broadway. Shiki Theatre Company and Disney will celebrate our 20th year of partnership next year. Aladdin is sure to open a door to ‘a whole new world’ for the live entertainment industry in Japan,” said Chiyoki Yoshida, president and representative director, Shiki Theatre Company.
Produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions, Aladdin opened to critical acclaim at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20th, 2014. 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 two-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). Lyrics will be translated into Japanese by Ms. Chikae Takahashi, who worked on the Japanese translation for Disney’s animated feature film, Frozen.
The Tokyo production will be cast locally in Japan and will be performed in Japanese.
Aladdin will mark the fifth collaboration between Disney Theatrical Productions and Shiki Theatre Company following the successful and current runs of Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, AIDA and The Little Mermaid. 16 million people have seen a Disney musical produced by Shiki, resulting in cumulative runs of nearly 5000 performances for Beauty and the Beast and a staggering 9000 performances for their two concurrent produtions ofThe Lion King.