★★★★☆
Aladdin may not boast the artistry of The Lion King or the heart of Beauty and the Beast—Disney’s best stage adaptations—but it proves to be a pretty decent musical with much to admire. Just as Robin Williams’s film Genie gave adults plenty to delight in, this Genie—played on tour by the sensational Michael James Scott—is worth the price of admission alone.
The musical’s Agrabah, sumptuously designed by the great Bob Crowley, is a place where even the poor look like a million bucks and everyone has zero percent body fat. Falling just short of a circus, the show is rife with silly gags and is, despite my dislike of cheese, pure Disney fun. Aladdin is also the rare Disney stage musical that never drags, thanks to Casey Nicholaw’s swift direction and Chad Beguelin’s clever book.
The musical isn’t perfect, but it is the best Disney stage musical in 20 years. Between a mesmerizing magic carpet ride and Michael James Scott’s incredible performance, Aladdin is the most fun you’ll have at the theater this summer.
ALADDIN. THROUGH 8.5 AT THE BOSTON OPERA HOUSE, 539 TREMONT ST., BOSTON. BOSTON.BROADWAY.COM
Theater critic for TheaterMania & WBUR’s TheArtery | Theater Editor for DigBoston | film and music critic for EDGE Media | Boston Theater Critics Association.
