NME After Print - Aladdin at Popejoy Hall - REVIEW
Disney's Aladdin is one of the many magical wonders of our childhoods, and one might wonder how a stage production could capture all of the magic. Not only did they succeed, but they may have surpassed it with this production!
The vibrant sets are full of the wonder and movement of Agrabah paired with flawlessly executed musical numbers, bringing the magic of Disney to life.
Marcus M. Martin opens the show with his quick-witted take on the role of Genie. His performance is simultaneously his own and honors Robin Williams' iconic character. In my opinion, Genie is the best part of this show!
It was also my 7-year-old daughter's first live musical. In a world of tablets, shows, and movies on demand constantly, she didn't even quite understand what magic was about to happen before her eyes. Within seconds of the start of the show was blown away!
Jafar (Jerald Vincent) and Iago (Aaron Choi) are also effortlessly portrayed and just as intimidating and hilarious in their plots to gain power over Agrabah as ever.
The moment we all wait for. Jasmine (Senzel Ahmady) and Aladdin (Adi Roy) on the magic carpet while singing "A Whole New World" does not disappoint. However, the Genie's Friend Like Me takes the vibrant set of the cave of treasures and adds more glitter and dancers
to capture the magic of Genie will be remembered for years to come in the minds of adults and children alike.
From start to finish, this show delivers a powerful, funny, and much-needed summer event that will keep the whole family captivated and off their tablets. I say that this is a must-see, and your family will agree, I promise.
Aladdin will run at Popejoy Hall from June 7th - 11th. For more information or to purchase tickets visit https://www.popejoypresents.com/events/detail/aladdin
Holly Byrd is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and writer from Albuquerque, NM. Her raw and brutally honest take on motherhood and surviving cancer have been seen all over the Southwest. She was the first loser (or second place) in Alibi's Best of Burque issue and competed in The Best Comic in LA comedy contest. She enjoyed many shots of Malort on 10-Drink Minimum and Co-hosts Sleep Optional Momcast.