Jonathan Freeman, who created the role of Jafar in the Broadway production of Aladdin, after voicing the part in the 1992 animated film, will play his final performance January 23 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
Freeman, a Tony nominee for his performance in the 1993 revival of She Loves Me, will be succeeded by current Jafar/Sultan standby and fellow original Broadway cast member Dennis Stowe beginning January 25.
Dennis Stowe in Aladdin.
Evan Zimmerman for Murphy MadeStowe’s other Broadway credits include Annie, Leap of Faith, Shrek the Musical, The Apple Tree, The Wedding Singer, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Wonderful Town, and Man of La Mancha. He is also a longtime member of Broadway Inspirational Voices.
Aladdin currently stars Michael Maliakel in his Broadway debut in the title role, Shoba Narayan as Jasmine, and Michael James Scott as Genie with Milo Alosi, Zach Bencal, and Brad Weinstock as Aladdin’s sidekicks Kassim, Babkak, and Omar, JC Montgomery as Sultan, and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago. Juwan Crawley and Frank Viveros stand by for several principals.
The ensemble includes Tia Altinay, Mary Antonini, Michael Bullard, Michael Callahan, Lissa deGuzman, Mathew deGuzman, Mark DiConzo, Olivia Donalson, Josh Drake, Max B. Ehrlich, Samantha Farrow, Gaby Gamache, Jacob Gutierrez, April Holloway, Heather Makalani, Pierre Marais, Stanley Martin, Amber Owens, Jamie Kasey Patterson, Bobby Pestka, Ariel Reid, Tyler Roberts, Jaz Sealey, Angelo Soriano, Charles South, and Alec Varcas.
The stage production, which expands the 90-minute film into a two-act format, has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by the late Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Nicholaw directs and choreographs.
Aladdin opened at the new Amsterdam March 20, 2014, following previews that began February 26. The musical was nominated for five 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. James Monroe Iglehart won the Tony for his performance as the Genie. Following the Broadway shutdown, the hit musical reopened September 28.
Aladdin is designed by Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes, and sound designer Ken Travis.
The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer and hair designer Josh Marquette. The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.
