Interview: Aladdin's Chad Beguelin

Chad Beguelin wrote the book and additional lyrics for Disney’s musical adaptation of Aladdin. Having opened on Broadway in 2014, last month Aladdin crossed the pond and began its West End run at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Aladdin features songs from the classic 1992 animated film as well as some of the cut songs Alan Menken and Howard Ashman wrote for the film. In addition there is some new music by Alan Menken and Chad. Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, the London cast is led by Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin, Jade Ewen as Jasmine and Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie.

Chad wrote lyrics and book for The Wedding Singer which will embark on a new UK tour next year; he also wrote lyrics for Elf The Musical which received its West End premiere last Christmas. He recently collaborated with Bob Martin and Jerry Mitchell on new musical Gotta Dance which premiered in Chicago last December and is due to open on Broadway later this year. His play Harbor recently premiered off-Broadway at Primary Stages. Chad also wrote the book and lyrics for Judas & Me, The Rhythm Club and Wicked City. 

I recently spoke to Chad about adapting Aladdin for the West End, how he originally came to be involved with the project and what it has been like to work alongside such an incredible creative team…

London audiences are going crazy for Aladdin! What’s it like to see the show having such an incredible response over here?

It’s amazing! When we first did the show on Broadway we went through so many changes – it was trial and error. We’ve definitely been blessed with an amazing cast here in London, it’s great to see that people are embracing it. It’s just proof that London audiences are really full of smart people.

Press Night Pics: Disney's Aladdin opens in the West End

Last night, (15th June), Disney’s Aladdin celebrated its West End opening at the Prince Edward Theatre. 

As well as composer Alan Menken and director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw, guests included John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Tom and Giovanna Fletcher, Andrew Scott, Luke Evans, Cynthia Erivo, Jenni Falconer, Preeya Kalidas, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Katherine Kelly, Ricky Wilson and Rufus Hound. Check out images below (click picture to enlarge).

Review: Disney's Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre

Disney's Aladdin
Prince Edward Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 13th June 2016

★★★

Disney's blockbuster musical adaptation of Aladdin has crossed the pond, two years after opening on Broadway. It's a huge show with a multi-talented cast and big design elements. Similarly to The Lion King, the musical is very similar to the 1992 Disney film it's based on. The show also features some numbers that were cut from the film - most notably 'Proud Of Your Boy' - as well as a few new compositions. 

PICS: Production images released for West End production of Aladdin

Production images have been released for the West End production of Disney's Aladdin. The show is currently in previews at the Prince Edward Theatre ahead of press night on 15th June. Aladdin is currently booking to 1st October 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The show stars Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin and Jade Ewen as Jasmine with Broadway's Trevor Dion Nicholas making his London stage debut as Genie. The cast also includes Don Gallagher as Jafar, Peter Howe as Iago, Irvine Iqbal as the Sultan, Nathan Amzi as Babkak, Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Kassim and Rachid Sabitri as Omar.

Aladdin features songs from the classic 1992 animated film as well as new music written by Alan Menken with lyrics from Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin. Book is by Beguelin. Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.

Aladdin extends West End booking to February 2017

Disney's Aladdin has extended its West End booking period at the Prince Edward Theatre to 11th February 2017. 

The show plays its first preview tonight (27th May 2016) ahead of press night on Wednesday 15th June 2016.

Aladdin stars Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin and Jade Ewen as Jasmine with Broadway's Trevor Dion Nicholas making his London stage debut as Genie. 

The cast also includes Don Gallagher as Jafar, Peter Howe as Iago, Irvine Iqbal as the Sultan, Nathan Amzi as Babkak, Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Kassim and Rachid Sabitri as Omar.

PICS: Rehearsals for West End production of Disney's Aladdin

Rehearsal images have been released for the West End production of Disney's Aladdin. The show opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on 15th June (previews from 27th May) and is currently booking to 1st October 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The show stars Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin and Jade Ewen as Jasmine with Broadway's Trevor Dion Nicholas making his London stage debut as Genie. The cast also includes Don Gallagher as Jafar, Peter Howe as Iago, Irvine Iqbal as the Sultan, Nathan Amzi as Babkak, Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Kassim and Rachid Sabitri as Omar.

Big Interview: Dean John-Wilson, starring in Miss Atomic Bomb & Disney’s Aladdin

Dean John-Wilson is currently rehearsing new musical Miss Atomic Bomb before starring in the West End transfer of Disney’s Aladdin. 

Dean is creating the role of Joey Lubowitz in Miss Atomic Bomb which is written by Adam Long, Gabriel Vick and Alex Jackson-Long. 

Inspired by the bomb tests and beauty pageants of the era, the musical comedy is co-directed by Bill Deamer and Adam Long. Catherine Tate and Simon Lipkin also star in the show which is set to begin performances at the St James Theatre on 7th March 2016.

In May, Dean will originate the title role in the London premiere of Disney’s musical Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre, starring opposite Jade Ewen as Jasmine and Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie. Currently running on Broadway to tremendous acclaim, Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.

Dean most recently starred as Man 1 in Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown at the St James Theatre and as Aquino in the UK premiere of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s musical Here Lies Love at the National Theatre.

His extensive theatre credits also include: understudy Prewitt and Maggio in From Here To Eternity (Shaftesbury), Zack in Bare (Union Theatre) and understudy Pablo and TJ in Sister Act The Musical (UK tour). Dean recently performed solo shows at the London Hippodrome (with Scott Alan) and Singers Lounge; he reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2008.

Yesterday I dropped into rehearsals for Miss Atomic Bomb. After watching a few numbers from the show, I caught up with Dean to discuss his first impressions of Miss Atomic Bomb, West End Frame making his dreams come true and why the last few months have been a whirlwind. Dean also revealed how he reacted when he found out he had been cast in Aladdin, his Broadway ambition and next dream show…

The last time we spoke you were in rehearsals for Songs for a New World – I can’t believe how much has happened since then! Have you had a chance to take it all in?

After doing Songs for a New World, getting calls about Aladdin and Miss Atomic Bomb was crazy – I don’t know whether there will ever be a point in my career again where I’ll be able to say I’ve got two posters on the tube for shows that I’m one of the leads in. I was in New York when the Aladdin news was announced and everybody was tweeting me and Facebooking me all the posters on the tube, but when I got off my flight back I jumped straight in a cab to rehearsals and didn’t see one! I don’t even know when this jet lag is going to kick in – I haven’t felt any yet. I just don’t think this will happen again – what more could you want?! 

Full casting announced for West End production of Aladdin

Full casting has been announced for the West End production of Aladdin which opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on 15th June 2016 (previews from 27th May). As previously reported by West End Frame, Dean John-Wilson will star in the title role alongside Jade Ewen as Jasmine.

The cast also includes Don Gallagher as Jafar, Peter Howe as Iago, Irvine Iqbal as the Sultan, Nathan Amzi as Babkak, Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Kassim and Rachid Sabitri as Omar. As previously announced, Broadway standby Trevor Dion Nicholas will make his West End debut as Genie.

Dean John-Wilson to star in Miss Atomic Bomb prior to Aladdin

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Dean John-Wilson will star in new musical comedy Miss Atomic Bomb at the St James Theatre next year.

The musical, which runs between 7th March and 9th April 2016, is written by Adam Long, Gabriel Vick and Alex Jackson-Long. 

Miss Atomic Bomb will be co-directed by Adam Long and Bill Deamer, the latter of whom is also choreographing the production.

Following his run in Miss Atomic Bomb, Bamigboye has once again reported that John-Wilson will go on to star as the title role is the West End production of Disney's Aladdin alongside the rumored Jade Ewen as Princess Jasmine and the confirmed Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie.

GOSSIP: Dean John Wilson & Jade Ewen in talks to star in Aladdin?

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has claimed that Dean John Wilson and Jade Ewen are in "early discussions" to star as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine in the West End production of Aladdin.

It was recently announced that Broadway actor Trevor Dion Nicholas will star as the Genie when Aladdin opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on 9th June 2016 (previews from 27th May).

Disney's stage production of Aladdin is directed and choreographed by The Book of Mormon's Casey Nicholaw and composed by Alan Menken. It features lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, with book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The production opened on Broadway in March 2014.

Trevor Dion Nicholas to star in West End premiere of Disney's Aladdin

It has been confirmed that Trevor Dion Nicholas will star as the Genie in the West End premiere of Disney's Aladdin.

Dion Nicholas is currently the standby for Genie/Babkak/Sultan in the Broadway production. James Monroe Iglehart won a Tony Award for originating the role of Genie on Broadway.

Aladdin will open at the Prince Edward Theatre on 9th June 2016 (previews from 27th May). Further casting will be announced at a later date.

Thomas Schumacher (Disney Theatrical Productions president) said: "In 1992, Howard Ashman, Alan Menken and Tim Rice’s reimagining of the Aladdin tale became the biggest movie of the year around the globe. Now 23 years later, Casey Nicholaw’s production lifts a whole new audience and sends them home on air. We are thrilled to fly Aladdin’s carpet to London where the show has found its ideal home in Cameron Mackintosh’s stunning Prince Edward Theatre."

Open auditions announced for West End premiere of Disney's Aladdin

Open auditions have been announced for the West End transfer of Disney's Aladdin. Producers are searching for "exceptional male and female dancers and singers".

Aladdin is set to open at the Prince Edward Theatre in 2016, with exact dates to be confirmed. The show is directed and choreographed by The Book of Mormon's Casey Nicholaw and composed by Tony Award winner Alan Menken. It features lyrics penned by Howard Ashman and Tony Award winner Tim Rice, with book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The production opened on Broadway in March 2014.

Open Audition Info

Miss Saigon confirms West End closure

Cameron Mackintosh has confirmed that the West End revival of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical Miss Saigon will close at the Prince Edward Theatre on Saturday 27th February 2016.

Mackintosh said today ‘"I'm delighted to announce a final extension of my hugely successful new production of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre.

"This record-breaking and award-winning production is already repeating its success in Japan and Korea and is planned to open in Germany, Australia and Broadway in the next two years. Our original stars Eva Noblezada and Jon Jon Briones continue to lead our wonderful international cast that has made this epic love story one of the greatest contemporary musicals of all time."

GOSSIP: Disney's Aladdin to replace Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre?

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Disney's Aladdin will open at the Prince Edward Theatre in the summer of 2016, replacing Miss Saigon.

Please note nothing has been officially confirmed by producers as of yet. Miss Saigon is expected to close in London and transfer to Broadway. More soon...

Aladdin was originally rumoured to be opening at the Prince Edward; however, following Miss Saigon's opening it was suggested Disney's show would instead open at the London Palladium or Dominion Theatre.

GOSSIP: Disney brining Aladdin to Dominion instead of Palladium?

According to Baz Bamigboye, Disney are no longer in talks to transfer their stage adaptation of Aladdin from Broadway to the London Palladium. Instead the musical is reportedly heading to the Dominion Theatre.

Bamigboye also reports that Motown the Musical, which was previously rumoured to be transferring from Broadway to the Dominion Theatre, could now instead open at the London Palladium.

Please remember this gossip is not confirmed. We will keep you updated!

GOSSIP: Strictly Ballroom & Elf The Musical coming to the West End?

According to the Daily Mail, Baz Luhrmann is "exploring ways" to bring Strictly Ballroom to the West End.

The show, which is based on the 1992 movie,  received a run in Sydney earlier this year and is about to play in Melbourne. Baz Bamigboye reports that if a theatre can be found, Strictly Ballroom could open in the West End in 2015 or early 2016.

Disney's Aladdin receives European premiere in Germany

It has been announced that Broadway musical Aladdin will receive its European premiere in Hamburg, Germany. Disney's musical will open in late 2015 at The Stage Theatre Neue Flora. The Hamburg production will be cast in Germany and will be performed in German.

It was recently revealed that five international productions are in the works. The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has reported that the West End production of Aladdin could open at the London Palladium in 2016. The show is also set to open in Japan in May 2015.

GOSSIP: Aladdin opens at the London Palladium in 2016?

According to The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Disney's Broadway production of Aladdin could transfer to the London Palladium in 2016. However, the journalist reports a deal is still being discussed and nothing is yet signed or finalised.

The show is directed and choreographed by The Book of Mormon's Casey Nicholaw and composed by Tony Award winner Alan Menken. It features lyrics penned by Howard Ashman and Tony Award winner Tim Rice, with book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

The show opened on Broadway in March this year. Click here to read West End Frame's 3* review of the show.

GOSSIP: Disney in talks with Palladium about possible Aladdin 2016 West End transfer

According to the Daily Mail, the top executive of Disney Theatricals will soon meet with Palladium officials to discuss whether the Palladium would be the right venue for Disney's stage adaptation of Aladdin.

The production, which opened on Broadway in February, could transfer to the West End in 2016.

Baz Bamigboye claims Disney had wanted the Prince Edward Theatre; however, the venue is not avaliable due to the huge success of Miss Saigon's West End return.

Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw and composed by Tony Award winner Alan Menken. It features lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman and Tony Award winner Tim Rice, with book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

Variety shows & comedians to play the London Palladium; Aladdin transfer update

Variety shows and comedians will play the London Palladium after I Can’t Sing closes next week. 

According to The Daily Mail, as soon as the venue has a "summer clean", all manner of comedy artists will be treading the stage through 2015. Baz Bamigboye claims there was chatter about bringing over Rocky, but it won’t be travelling out of New York any time soon.

Apparently there was hope that Disney's Aladdin could transfer to the Palladium in 2016. However, Disney are said to be waiting several years until the revival of Miss Saigon closes as they want the Prince Edward Theatre. Aladdin will likely open sometime in 2016 or 2017.