Aladdin: A Show of Wonders - Annika Malchow

 Annika Malchow

Aladdin: A Show of Wonders

Everyone knows the story of Aladdin: a poor man off the streets meets the Genie of the Lamp and is able to wish himself out of poverty to be with the woman he loves, who so happens to be the princess, Jasmine. He realizes that his worth isn’t dependent on his social standing, sets Genie free, and lives happily ever after with his princess in the land of Agrava. This show is vibrant, loud, and fun. Full of exciting dances and stirring accompaniments that create a lively atmosphere that will make anyone smile and cheer. Although there was some lacking effort with some of the sets, this show is great for anyone who just wants to have a fun night and see some great theatre.

It is truly astounding how much difference the technical elements of a show can make. Aladdin did not disappoint. Consistently throughout the performance, the orchestra provided a strong and boisterous sound that melded perfectly with the incredible lights and dances. The use of projections and animation was mesmerizing to behold, and one could truly just sit in awe at all there was to see. Of course, nothing less could be expected of a Disney show. It isn’t hard to see how they create an atmosphere of magic. Aladdin’s magic carpet moved very smoothly through the star studded backdrop, and the mechanics behind it couldn’t be seen. It would have been nice to see some more set pieces, though. Most of the scenes were transitioned on with simple backdrops while there was room for set pieces to be utilized and incorporated in the scenes. Other than the slightly disappointing lack of set, the show was breathtaking technically.

I would describe Aladdin himself as the chip that carried the flavorful dip of other people’s personalities to the hungry audience. Most of the supporting characters were all different and expressive, but Aladdin was a little less out-there. It wasn’t really an issue, it was just an interesting choice to make the main character a little less vibrant than the rest. All that aside, the performances were immaculate. The costumes are so fun, the harmonies hit just right, the dancers are expressive. The actor who plays Genie is enthralling in his performance. There were several allusions to today’s pop culture and events that just made the audience go wild. Specifically, the scene for “Friend Like Me” is just yummy to watch. All the actors quickly change into several different costumes to portray different personalities that keeps the number fresh, and there’s a grand finale that has a sort of Rockette feel to it. Not to mention, the Cave of Wonders was so sparkly and wonderful to look at. The audience erupted and I couldn’t help but just smile through it all. 

One known aspect of Disney is the magic that it makes everyone feel. It’s the whole brand. There are certainly several glimmers and shines in the show Aladdin that can make anyone smile. Considering the fact that this show is from such a lucrative franchise, it was a little shocking that the sets weren’t that elaborate, but the lights, song, and dance all made up for it. It’s certainly a sight to behold.