“Everyone here has a minor in dance,” the Genie quips at the start of the musical “Aladdin.” Tuesday night’s performance by the North American touring company at the Marcus Performing Arts Center proved that he is not wrong.
This Disney stage musical adapted from the 1992 animated film (itself inspired by a tale from the collection “One Thousand and One Nights”) is a simple story: In an imaginary Arabian city, poor “street rat” Aladdin (Adi Roy) falls in love with independent princess Jasmine (Senzel Ahmady), but pesky laws and the evil vizier Jafar (Anand Nagraj) stand in the way of happily ever after. But rubbing a magic lamp brings forth the Genie (Marcus M. Martin), who doles out wishes with the same joie de vivre that Oprah bestows cars.
If you’re coming to “Aladdin,” you’re coming to see the Genie. A big man with a big presence, Martin is up for the challenge of this larger-than-life character. In the spirit of the late Robin Williams’ predecessor in the animated film, Martin’s Genie is an antic, fourth-wall-breaking quipster who never stops. His massive production number “Friend Like Me” is the musical’s showpiece and earned the audience’s rapturous applause.
Disney and the Marcus Center recommend this show for people 6 and older. That feels on target. A few scenes of combat here are so stylized and gentle I can’t imagine they’d scare anyone. The guys with the scimitars spend more time dancing with them than brandishing them.
Speaking of which, director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw brings out one strong dance scene after another. Designer Gregg Barnes’ costume designs are a riot of colors, sparkles and bare midriffs (even the poor people look good in this town).
Special effects, particularly in the Cave of Wonders, are in keeping with the magical Disney standards.
As the leading couple, Roy and Ahmady are winsome and, when I could hear them, have good voices. Unfortunately, the sound balance wasn’t the best on Tuesday night. Sitting main floor center, my millennial companion and I sometimes had trouble clearly hearing the words Roy and Ahmady were singing, especially in parts of the first act. Either their volume is not turned up enough, or the otherwise fine orchestra is too loud in those sections.
If you go
“Aladdin” continues through Oct. 22 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. For tickets, visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.
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