“Aladdin” marks its 12th anniversary on Broadway on March 20 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The evening curtain will be the musical’s 4,349th performance.
Since opening on March 20, 2014, the Disney Theatrical Group (DTG) production has welcomed more than 7.2 million audience members to the New Amsterdam and ranks number 14 on the list of longest-running Broadway shows. Currently, “Jersey Boys” holds the 13th slot, with a total of 4,642 performances. “Aladdin” will need to play 294 more performances (approximately more 37 weeks) to overtake the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons bio-musical.
According to DTG, each performance of “Aladdin” involves more than 200 people working onstage, backstage, in the orchestra pit and in front-of-house roles. Of those, 59 company members have been with the production for at least five years and 33 have remained since its opening year. Over the course of the run, 119 performers have appeared in the show, including 28 making their Broadway debuts.
The production has also accumulated notable technical milestones. Performers playing Aladdin and Jasmine have flown more than 140 miles on the magic carpet during “A Whole New World.” The Genie has triggered nearly 165,000 pyrotechnic effects during “Friend Like Me.” In “Prince Ali,” the company has executed more than 250,000 quick costume changes. More than 1,000 pounds of custom glitter have been used for the Genie’s visual effects.
Worldwide, “Aladdin” has mounted 11 productions across four continents and has been seen by more than 22 million people. The musical is currently running on Broadway and in Tokyo.
Based on the 1992 animated film, “Aladdin” features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin and a book by Beguelin. The production is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.
Scenic design is by Bob Crowley, lighting design by Natasha Katz, costume design by Gregg Barnes and sound design by Ken Travis. Illusions are by Jim Steinmeyer, with hair design by Josh Marquette and makeup design by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. Music supervision and direction is by Michael Kosarin, with orchestrations by Danny Troob and dance arrangements by Glen Kelly. John MacInnis serves as associate choreographer, Jason Trubitt as production supervisor and Myriah Bash as general manager.
