ENTERTAINMENT
Musical Aladdin opens in Korea
Currently the most notable Broadway hit musical
'Aladdin', a huge hit in Broadway history, ranked 15th as the longest-running Broadway show in 2024 with more than 3,500 performances. In the 10 years since its premiere, only three films have recorded higher box office success than 'Aladdin': 'The Lion King', 'Wicked', and 'Hamilton'. It is currently being performed on Broadway in the US, Japan, Spain, and the UK, and has been performed in 11 productions on four continents around the world, attracting approximately 20 million audiences. It has won and been nominated for major awards such as the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award. “Exceeds expectations!” (New York Times), “Exactly what you wanted!” (NBC-TV), “Sensational itself! It received praise such as “The Magic of Broadway!” (The Wall Street Journal).
The ‘Performing Art Craftsmen’, who have won 24 Tony Awards alone, have embodied artistry and popularity with their outstanding imagination. Alan Mencken, a virtuoso who has won the Golden Globe Award seven times for 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Beauty and the Beast' and is honored with the EGOT (Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Academy Award, and Tony Award), was in charge of the composition, and worked with him for a long time. Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, who have worked together, wrote the lyrics, and Chad Beglin wrote the lyrics and screenplay. Casey Niccolo was in charge of directing and choreography, Bob Crowley was in charge of stage design, Greg Burns was in charge of costume design, Natasha Katz was in charge of lighting design, and Jim Stanmayer was in charge of illusion design.
Just like the original scale
Through a long-term business agreement signed between Disney Theatrical Group, Lotte Cultureworks, Clip Service, and S&Co in February 2023, it will be possible to see Disney Theatrical Group's popular Broadway works. The first work is ‘Aladdin’. With the best content that receives special love across all generations, regardless of gender or age, it will develop a new musical population, serve as a new growth engine for the Korean musical industry, and follow 'The Lion King' as a highly anticipated work that will shake up the Korean performance industry again in 2024-2025. It is being singled out.
Ann Quart, Disney Theatrical Group Executive Producer, expressed her expectations, saying, “We are doing our best to ensure that Korean audiences can experience all the magic and spectacle of the original Broadway production. We want to invite audiences to Agrabah as soon as possible.” We plan to complete the Korean premiere stage with original creators, including Casey Niccolo, who directed and choreographed 'Aladdin' around the world, and the Korean creative team.
Disney's Living History Beautiful Music by Alan Menken
The original Disney animated film, released in 1992, was the biggest box office hit of that year, and its theme song 'A Whole New World' caused a sensation, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. As a classic that is still loved beyond time, from animation to musicals and live action, music is the DNA of 'Aladdin' and forms the basis of the work to the extent that it is cited as a reason for its success. Alan Mencken, the maestro who created countless Disney songs that come to mind just by hearing the melody, led the music throughout the entire process, including musicals and live action films, starting with the animated film 'Aladdin'. Five of the original's famous songs, 'Arabian Nights', 'One Jump Ahead', 'Friend Like Me', 'Prince Ali', and 'A Whole New World', were arranged to suit the stage while maintaining their original charm. In particular, 'Friend Like Me' is arranged into a new swing version and presented as a spectacular show of about 8 minutes led by Genie. Four songs, including 'Proud of Your Boy', which were not used in the animation, and four new numbers, including 'These Palace Walls', were added. Audiences will be immersed in memories of the original work through the master's enchanting music.
Adventure, friendship, and romance on a daring journey
'Aladdin', loved by all generations, is a story of bold adventure, classic entertainment, a timeless love story, and true friendship through Aladdin's journey in the mysterious kingdom of Agrabah. The musical breathes life into a fascinating story that adapts old tales, including 'One Thousand and One Nights,' from the original movie, with original imagination and excellent performing arts. The musical brought to life elements suitable for the stage from the original plan conceived by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman at the time of the early animation film adaptations. In addition, the Disney Theatrical Group's amazing stage direction, exotic yet sensual choreography, and detailed illusions and special effects create famous scenes unique to the musical. Aladdin's chase scene 'One Jump Ahead', 'Friend Like Me' which captivates the audience with its endless sword dance, belly dance, tap dance, stick dance, etc., and the fantastic yet romantic 'A Whole New World' are the masterpieces. . Along with Jasmine's caring father and the sultan who rules the kingdom, Jafar and his subordinate Iago who are aiming for the throne, Aladdin's three friends Kasim, Omar and Babcak, who were not seen in the original work, appear as Aladdin's helpers and enrich the story. Let it be done.
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
