By Sandi Masori
SAN DIEGO —- Disney has taken over the Civic Theatre for Broadway San Diego’s presetation of the national-touring Aladdin production. The show, which is a huge production that requires 10 trucks for load-in, is an explosion of color and wonder. It has all the elements that you would expect from a Disney show: seasoned actors, magic, music, elaborate sets, phenomenal dance numbers and so much energy.
A quick recap for those unfamiliar with the original “Arabian” tale, or the 1992 animated Disney version starring Robin Williams as the Genie, or the 2019 live action version starring Will Smith in that role: street rat Aladdin (Adi Roy) meets Princess Jasmine (Senzel Ahmady) in a market after she sneaks out of the Palace. The two have a connection, but scheming vizier Jafar (Anand Nagraj) wants the crown for himself and concocts a plan to get Aladdin to steal a magic lamp, so that Jafar can get the Genie to grant him power. Aladdin gets the lamp but accidentally rubs it and becomes the Genie’s master. He makes a wish to be a prince so he can win Jasmine’s hand in marriage.
Marcus M Martin steals the show as the Genie — He tells the audience he will from the get-go. The role of Genie is the most important in the show, and trying to take a role made popular by Robin Williams or Will Smith is no easy feat. Yet Martin manages to take it and make it his own, presenting a Genie that is neither Williamsian or Smithian, but something else equally delightful and captivating. This was in spite of the fact that the music sometimes drowned out the vocals.
In a diversion from the film version, rather than having a monkey for a sidekick, instead Aladdin has three best friends named Kassim (Colt Prattes), Omar (Nathan Levy, who is Jewish and Asian), and Babkak (Jake Letts). The four of them have a few fun song and dance numbers.
Aaron Choi deserves a shout out for his comedic portrayal of Iago, a character that was originally a parrot in the animated version. It was played by the late Jewish actor Gilbert Gottfried, also big shoes to fill.
Director and Choreographer Casey Nicholaw really pulls out all the stops with show- stopping numbers like “You’ve never had a friend like me” and “Prince Ali,” which are vibrant and almost a show unto themselves with intricate dance numbers utilizing the entire 14-person ensemble cast. Even my jaded teenage son had a smile on his face and was bopping his head along when he thought I wasn’t looking. As I looked around the theater, I saw similar smiles and movements from the youngest to the oldest were under the spell and caught up in the infectious energy.
Bob Crowley’s scenic design is also a feast. They do not go for minimalism in the sets at all, instead going for sets that are both prop heavy and make use of the wonders of modern technology. The effect is simply stunning.
Throughout the show there are some really well-done magic illusions and quick costume changes. These things happen fast, as part of song and dance numbers, or action sequences, and it may not register on the audience that it’s a full- fledged magic effect that we’re seeing, but as a former magician and box jumper (magician slang for the assistant that climbs into the large illusions), I must commend the skill and speed with which they were performed.
In all of this, you may think that there is no Jewish angle, but you would be wrong. In the opening scene, Aladdin steals a loaf of bread that looks suspiciously like a Challah, and in one of the shop display cases there is a menorah. Also, a quick internet search revealed that there was supposed to be a Jewish joke in the show, which we did not hear. The line should have come when Jafar is trying to trick Aladdin into going into the cave of wonders. “You are the chosen one” he says, to which Aladdin is supposed to say “I think the chosen people are a few hundred miles west.”
While Jafar said his line, I did not hear the line that should have followed. I’m hoping that that was a result of the afore-mentioned audio issues, and not that the line was dropped for political reasons given the current world events.
Aladdin has a short run, only playing through April 7, but if you can get in, I recommend that you do- it’s a show that the whole family will enjoy, and you will leave with a huge smile.
*
Sandi Masori is a theater and restaurant reviewer for San Diego Jewish World.