Clinton Greenspan (Aladdin). Aladdin North American Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer. © Disney
By Annie Bush
Louisville Collegiate School, Class of 2019
Even if I hadn’t been able to hear the music, “Aladdin” still would have rendered me speechless. Overall a visual delight, the musical achieved a feat difficult to procure outside of the big showbiz cities — it successfully synthesized outstanding choreography, set design, and costume choice to develop a work of art so engaging that it was a marvel in its glory for the entirety of its running time.
One could spend hours debriefing the intricacy of the costumes or ruminating on the eye-popping abs of every performer, but no one detail is able to represent the overwhelmingly beautiful ambiance of the set.
Not that any of this is any surprise; “Aladdin” had an all-star crew behind the scenes.
Tony-Award-winning director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw manned the helm as director and choreographer working with and six-time Tony winner and set designer Bob Crowley. It is evident that no expense was spared in the fabrication of this world; a world that breathes life into the 1992 Disney cartoon.
There was no moment in this production in which I didn’t feel emotionally invested in the characters onstage.
And, oh God, the music. It was not so much the specific timbre of an individual’s voice, but the ability of every actor to fill the room with sweeping notes and sincere emotion. The audience erupted in laughter alongside the Genie (Michael James Scott) in “Friend Like Me.” Some viewers not-so-subtly wiped the corners of their eyes while Aladdin (Clinton Greenspan) belted “Proud of Your Boy.” There was no moment in this production in which I didn’t feel emotionally invested in the characters onstage.
This connection with the on-stage performers appeared to transcend age. The theatre was filled with toddlers, grandmothers and teen boys alike — and of the entire short-attention-span demographic. I didn’t notice a single person get up to use the bathroom or move an inch throughout the performance. “Aladdin” has something for everyone — juicy romance, quips about modern issues and unforgettable song and dance numbers all wrapped in a neat two-and-a-half hour musical. Opulent, beautiful, and engaging — #Aladdin is a sight to see.