Telly Leung, seen on Broadway earlier this year in the new musical In Transit, joined the cast of Broadway's Aladdin in the title role June 13. In the video above, the actor discusses taking on the role, explaining, “I have such a soft spot in my heart for this character. I grew up on this movie.”
Leung succeeded original cast member Adam Jacobs, who left the Disney musical earlier this year to lead the North American tour of Aladdin, currently playing Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre through September 10. Jacob Dickey played the role in the interim.
Leung's other Broadway credits include the new musical Allegiance, the revivals of Flower Drum Song and Pacific Overtures, and the final Broadway company of Rent. He originated the role of Boq in the Chicago production of Wicked and played Dalton Academy Warbler Wes on Fox’s Glee.
Playbill first reported plans for Leung to step into the Disney musical in January.