Hennepin Nights! - Disney's Aladdin by Amy Watters
Amy Watters Disney's Aladdin Hennepin Nights! Growing up with two Disney adults as parents, I watched more than my fair share of the classics and Aladdin was always a favorite of mine. I adored the vibrant setting, dynamic characters, and Alan Menckan’s spellbinding score. Fortunately, the stage adaptation now showing at the Orpheum Theater from December 5-10 captures this magic in most regards, if at the expense of the story. The show opens brilliantly with “Arabian Nights,” setting the tone and placing the audience in the middle of Agrabah. While Marcus M. Martin’s energetic performance as Genie excites the audience, the entrance of the ensemble’s vocals and dance elevates the number into a spectacle due to the powerful harmonies and crisp choreography. Immediately the production wowed me with Gregg Barnes’ gorgeous costumes. I especially loved Jasmine and Genie’s costumes, some of which glittered for us in the back of the house. The production design and stage direction