Up for Review: “Aladdin” at the Morris Performing Arts Center

As the curtain pulled up to reveal an ancient Agrabah, the stage dazzled with Disney glitz and glam, with the next two hours to be filled with songs I remembered from my childhood and new favorites. 

Just like in the classic Disney movie, the opening song, “Arabian Nights,” was the perfect introduction to the fascinating world of “Aladdin,” the ensemble immediately proving their dancing and singing chops as a trope right away. 

The dancing was one of my favorite parts, acting as a way to bridge the magical story to traditional Indian dance, making the musical more of a Bollywood than a Hollywood. 

The other apparent strong suit of “Aladdin” is its production value, specifically in the set design and costuming. The set was filled with multiple drop curtains, glitter, marketplace sets and something to make every scene unique. 

And when it came to the costumes, I was practically mesmerized by the immense amount of sparkles on stage, glittering in the lights. 

I couldn’t tell if I wanted to watch how the pants moved with the traditional dancing or wear them myself. 

When introducing the characters, it was clear that Senzel Ahmady, who played Jasmine, had a great belt and charismatic acting chops, bringing the role of Jasmine to life. 

Ahmady and Adi Roy, playing Aladdin, complemented each other greatly in both old and new songs such as “A Million Miles Away” and “A Whole New World,” bringing the classic chemistry of Aladdin and Jasmine to the stage. 

In “A Whole New World,” the production design was yet again showcased in the physics of the magic carpet. With no lines visible and the clean movement mechanics, the carpet looked like it was simply floating.

However, the person who stole the show was Marcus M. Martin, playing the ever charismatic and big crowd favorite, Genie, bringing woos and laughs at whatever he did on the stage. The crowd erupted the minute he came on the stage and did not stop being entranced with him until the show was over. 

His talent was truly shown in the biggest musical number of the show by far, “Friend Like Me.” Switching between different styles of music, showmanship and comedy, Martin made the Genie come alive in the most familiar song to the entire crowd, having kids and adults alike sing along with him.

Most of Martin’s jokes were nods at Robin Williams’ old classics, but with a modern twist, bringing in new flair while also staying true to the first person to play the iconic character. 

Other standout moments of the show included “High Adventure,” bringing together the comedic relief of Aladdin’s best friends to the forefront of the stage and Roy’s powerhouse ballad, “Proud of Your Boy,” both bringing new favorites to the stage. 

Overall, the musical brought the classic Disney magic, but also added heart that can only be portrayed by onstage chemistry and the energy of Broadway.