Disney’s Aladdin has been making kids (and let’s be honest, adults, too) sing, laugh and dream of magic carpet rides since it came out in movie theaters 1992, and now your family can witness it all in person through August 14 at The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences.
This one hour production takes you on a magical journey through Agrabah, the City of Enchantment, where you meet Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Jafar, Iago and everyone’s favorite blue wish-granter, Genie.
The show includes some of the film’s most beloved songs, like “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me,” which are sure to get your kids singing along. They’ll also learn new songs not included in the movie, like Jafar’s big musical number, “Why Me.”
The performance is full of humor and your kids will be laughing along with their favorite street urchin at Genie’s antics and Iago’s frustration with Jafar. There are so many clever jokes that adults won’t feel left out, either (one of Jasmine’s suitors is The Prince formerly known as The Artist).
After Jafar is defeated and Aladdin and Jasmine set off into the sunset on their magic carpet, actors participate in a Q&A session, so any questions your little ones may have can be answered before leaving the theater. Questions range from serious (“Why did you want to do this play?”) to silly (“Did Aladdin and Jasmine really kiss?”) and actors share a few inside secrets on how the show was put together.
The Marriot Theatre stage is surrounded on each side by 7 or 9 rows of seats, meaning no matter where you sit, your kids will feel like they are right in the middle of the action. Plus, the actors do a great job of moving around to make sure everyone in attendance gets a good view of the scene.
Kids as young as toddlers enjoyed the show (or stepped out during fussy times), proving that it truly is for “young audiences.” Still, the show is probably best enjoyed by kids who can sit and pay attention for an hour, since there’s no intermission. If they’re fans of the movie, it’s a good bet they’ll love the stage version.
Performances run Tuesday-Sunday at 10 a.m. with a 12:30 p.m. performance on Saturdays. Tickets are $15 per person (plus tax and handling fees) and can be purchased by phone, in person or at ticketmaster.com. Free parking is available right outside the theatre.
If you love Aladdin, this is a show you will definitely not want to miss. While there may be a few changes from the movie, what matters most remains the same: the message of everlasting love and being true to yourself no matter the circumstances.
