6/4/2023 0 Comments Aladdin maya cinemaThere were quite a few optical illusions, done by illusion designers (magicians), including the disappearing Genie, a disappearing magic box, green fog, quick changes, and of course the magic carpet ride. “Friend Like Me”, led by Genie and Aladdin, is a true show-stopper. Disney) style of musical number (of course complete with tap shoes!). This stunning scene was probably the most Broadway (vs. Probably the biggest scenic transformation was to the Cave of Wonders, in which the lamp was hidden. The set was not overly complicated with a series of overhead fly-ins complemented with projections and set pieces. There was also some serious quick-change artistry built into some costumes, with Jafar changing between three outfits onstage in the span of less than a minute. I have to wonder how many cities are now void of rhinestones, glitter, and bedazzling sets. The costumes were deliciously colorful (and quite sexy). For Iago, his sidekick, Aaron Choi channels his inner parrot to the delight of the audience. I did find myself wanting his character in general to be more over-the-top, but I don’t think it was written that way for stage. Jafar, played by Anand Nagraj, has a lovely deep voice and evil laugh. Of course, I have to mention the bad guys. Again, well-blended voices and fabulous footwork. Jasmine has her own trio of attendants (Caro Daye Attayek, Victoria Byrd, and Lauren Mariasoosay) in lieu of a tiger. These three not only ham it up, sing and dance well, but they work together and harmonize as a team, with Aladdin blending in seamlessly when they move to quartets. Instead of one monkey, Aladdin has three best friends – Omar (Ben Chavez), Babkak (Jake Letts), and Kassim (Colt Prattes). There is a distinct lack of animals as companions for the lead characters. Jasmine’s father, the Sultan (Sorab Wadia), is very credible in his role. His love interest is Jasmine, and Senzel Ahmady portrays a classic Disney princess. Adi Roy as the street urchin, Aladdin is very relatable, and he does a great job of leading the story. The storyline is a rags-to-riches love story. I could not tell what to expect in terms of choreography, since many of them do not refer to having done much dance. They do not disappoint! There is not a weak voice in the group. Preshow, I noted in the playbill that a lot of the cast had strong vocal backgrounds, giving me high hopes for the music. You’ll want to get up and dance with everyone. The first number with the ensemble is colorful, musical, energetic and truly sets the tone for the show. The scene transitions to the colorful market of Agrabah. This powerhouse has you wanting more from the moment he takes the stage. Martin as Genie does not try to mimic the animated version of Genie. The show opens with the Genie setting the stage with “Arabian Nights”. The stage musical seems to meet in the middle. The 2019 film swings towards the other side, taking on darker tones. The animated version is fantastical, light, and one can only wonder at the bravery of the souls following Robin Williams as Genie. It’s hard not to compare this version of Aladdin with the 1992 animated film and the more recent 2019 live-action movie. The original story is also set in China, and Aladdin is a lazy boy living with mom, not an orphaned street urchin. It was added by a French translator, who compiled 12 volumes of stories in the 1700’s. However, it did not appear in the original Arabic text. Outside of music- or perhaps, intertwined with music - she loves gardening, outdoor adventures, and studying language.Fun Facets: Aladdin is one story from The Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern and Indian folk tales. In addition to writing and recording as a solo artist, Maya deeply enjoys collaborating and co-writing with other artists and songwriters. At once reflective and urgent, and as intimate as it is expansive, Violet Light is an open-hearted invitation to explore the tensions between the visible and the imagined, between love and control, and our unrelenting human desire to belong-to a home, to an environment, and to each other. On JanuMaya released her 3rd solo album, which she co-produced with Ethan Jodziewicz over the course of a year in their basement home studio. In 2018, she began to steadily release powerful music under her own name - Adaptations in 2019, followed by 2020’s How to Break a Fall - writing boldly about borders, bodies, abuse, power, and love, with great imagination and empathy. Pennsylvania-raised and Tennessee-based, Maya de Vitry first appeared on the folk scene in 2012 as a founding member of The Stray Birds.
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