If you are not familiar with the story of Aladdin, start with the read-along. Otherwise skip down to explore music, dance, and theatre through the lens of this classic fairy tale turned Disney movie, turned Broadway smash hit.
Check out our student submitted uplifting playlist!
Just like we needed to adjust our performance of Coe's graduation song, professional performers have adjusted how they present their work. Check out this recent recording of Disney's DCappella performing "Friend Like Me" during the "Stay at Home" order.
Here is a sing-along version of the same song from the original animated Disney film:
In addition to being world class singers, dancers, and comedians, the professional actors who play Genie need to be exceptional athletes.
A dance captain is a performer in the show who becomes the expert on the choreography and helps the other dancers. Join one of Aladdin's professional dance captains to learn part of the choreography from the opening number: Arabian Nights -
Watch this character study to see how the actor prepares to play the villain. Try reading Jafar's monologue with feeling.
JAFAR (talking to his sidekick)
What am I working on? My penmanship. This very important document has a new paragraph I just added. Listen to this: “Should an unmarried Royal Princess, who is sole heir to the throne, fail to choose a husband within the time allotted for such selection, the Sultan’s highest-ranking official” – that would be me – “will immediately become betrothed to the Princess and will himself inherit all the rights, privileges, and powers of the Sultan.” So now all we must do is make sure she doesn’t fall for anybody before tomorrow. And if she does, we make sure he has a freakish, tragic accident.
If you were a professional performer in a musical, do you think you would enjoy the singing, the dancing, or the acting more? Try singing with Jasmine and Aladdin or choose your favorite monologue and try to memorize it and present it with emotion.
GENIE
Oy! Ten thousand years in a tin can’ll give you such a crick in the neck! (cracks his neck) Okay, that’s better! Now then, “Your wish is my command,” yadda yadda, you know the drill, so shoot… C’mon, kid, what’s it gonna be? Cash, camels, Casbahs? You want something… Hey? What did you say your name was? Aladdin? This is gonna be a snap! May I call you “Al?” You know, Al, you’re a lot smaller than my last master. Either that, or I’m getting bigger. Do these harem pants make me look fat?
ALADDIN
But I do like Jasmine. I mean, “The Princess!” Ugh! I must’ve sounded so stupid! Then again, what does it matter? I’m never gonna see her again. Me, the “street rat”! Besides, she deserves a prince. Or at least someone better than me. Oh why did I ever meet her? Boy, I’m glad I met her. … Look at all this junk! (A small lamp catches ALADDIN’s eye. He picks it up.) I bet no one’s been in here for years. Something’s written on this thing. Let’s see here. (ALADDIN rubs the lamp.)
JASIME
Believe me, you’re not trapped. You’re free to go anywhere you want. Do anything you want. I’m sure that’s not the way it is in the palace. (sarcastic) Always perfectly wonderful. Never a dull moment. And all of those servants. And the servants of servants. Someone always watching you. Telling you where to go and who to see. Well, anyway, that’s how I imagine it would be.