Honest Review of Aladdin on Broadway – Is It Worth Seeing? [Part 2]

We were honored to be invited directly by Disney to see the Broadway musical Aladdin and attend a reception afterward.
At the reception, held right before the evening performance and featuring the actors playing Aladdin and Kassim, we heard backstage stories and the cast’s passion for the show, and we were even allowed to record video. In this report, we explain why Aladdin is so beloved on Broadway and what makes it such a consistent audience favorite.

This is part two of our coverage. Another staff member wrote part one on a separate page, with details on stage-door encounters with the principal cast, highlights of the musical, how to make the most of your visit, and money-saving tips. If you have not read it yet, we recommend starting there.

• Aladdin review part 1: we met the lead cast (with photos) >>

Aladdin on Broadway: why this classic keeps winning hearts

Since the animated film premiered in 1992, Aladdin has continued to captivate audiences for more than two decades, and its Broadway production brought that timeless magic to the stage. In its debut season, the show earned a total of five Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.

More recently, the 2019 live-action film, famous for Will Smith as the Genie, became a global box office hit, surpassing $200 million worldwide.

The Broadway musical opened in 2014 and still enjoys strong attendance today. For highlights and practical tips on the show, see the detailed page below.

• Aladdin show details >>

Disney’s New York home base: the New Amsterdam Theatre

New Amsterdam Theatre

The New Amsterdam Theatre, with Disney offices located on the upper floors, sits right on 42nd Street in the heart of the Theater District.

Broadway venues are famously historic, and the New Amsterdam is known as one of the oldest theaters still in operation. Surrounded by neon lights and more than a century of history, the building continues to fascinate visitors.

Address: 214 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Our theater guide page covers its storied past in detail. Long before it became synonymous with Aladdin, this house went through many ups and downs. Reading up beforehand will make your visit even more rewarding.

• More about the New Amsterdam Theatre >>

What to look for inside the New Amsterdam

As a landmark with deep history, the New Amsterdam rewards a close look at its decorative details alone. First-time Broadway visitors are often amazed by the grandeur and atmosphere of the interior.

Seating is comfortable on all three levels, with generous legroom and a strong rake. Even from the back, sightlines are clear, so you can enjoy the stage from virtually any seat.

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We joined Disney’s pre-show reception

The reception, hosted by Disney, took place in the ballroom beneath the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Two cast members made special appearances: Clinton Greenspan as Aladdin and Mike Longo as Kassim, sharing rare backstage stories and insights into their work.

You can watch the video below. A summary in English follows the clip.

Interview highlight

Question:
Have you ever forgotten a line in the middle of a performance?

Answer:
We repeat the same work thousands of times, but no two shows are identical. When someone skips a line, there is a flash of panic, but it is also exciting. In a way, those unpredictable moments are part of the fun.

On a more serious note, there was an incident when a performer suffered a collapsed lung during a show. He recovered, but finishing that performance was tough because the next number was arranged for three singers, and we had to cover it with two. Somehow, we made it through.

Our seat for the performance

How to read your ticket: MEZZ FF 12

Mezzanin Right = Mezzanine level, right side even-numbered seats
Row FF (6th row from the front), seat number 12

Voucher tickets don’t always allow fine-grained seat selection, but both orchestra and mezzanine offer excellent experiences.

The orchestra brings you close to the action, while the mezzanine provides a sweeping view of the tall, vertical stage picture. For a first visit to Aladdin, we were happy with the mezzanine because we could comfortably take in the full stage.

Pick up Aladdin merchandise you can only get at the theater

As with Disney titles like Frozen and The Lion King, the range of merchandise is extensive, likely because the show welcomes guests of all ages.

The best seller is a gift set that includes practical items such as a mug and a tote bag, which makes it a smart purchase. Our earlier Aladdin report covers in-theater merchandise and pricing in detail, so refer to that guide before you go.

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Family-friendly notes before you go

Here are some tips for those attending with children. Disney titles generally recommend ages 8 and up, but there is no age check at the entrance, so children under 8 can enter. However, if a child becomes disruptive during the show, staff may ask the family to step out. In other words, the important factor is not age but whether a child can remain seated quietly for the duration of the performance.

At our performance, two boys around five years old were seated behind us. They were understandably excited for their first show and got a bit noisy, and staff reminded them to keep it down. Aladdin is a musical full of wonder, so if you plan to attend with kids, please review the points below.

Three tips for attending a musical with children

1. There is no child price. All guests require a full-price ticket.
2. Lap seating is not permitted.
3. If a child is disruptive, staff may ask the child and guardian to exit the auditorium.

Post-show tip: Meet the cast at the stage door

As in many of our reviews, we waited at the stage door to get our Playbill signed. The stage door for this show is on 41st Street. Our visit was in mid September, and while some places are still warm then, New York can feel chilly at night, so bring a light layer for both the air conditioning inside and the stage-door wait.

To be honest, it is difficult to collect signatures from all principals. Some nights not everyone comes out, and the actor playing the villain often leaves quickly. We headed over right after curtain call, and he had already gone.

After about 30 minutes, Clinton Greenspan, who also appeared at the reception, came out to greet fans, followed by Arielle Jacobs as Princess Jasmine and Major Attaway as the Genie. We were thrilled to get all three signatures.

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Final thoughts on Aladdin

I hadn’t watched the animated film in over a decade and didn’t remember every plot detail, which made this visit feel fresh. Compared with other Disney titles, this musical embodies the company’s core of dreams and magic especially vividly.

The Genie’s unmatched presence

The Genie is the pivotal role in this production, and his presence on stage is indeed exceptional. He leads iconic numbers such as Arabian Nights and Prince Ali. The role is so celebrated that Broadway has even hosted special events gathering five former casts for Genies.

With a powerful, charismatic voice and quick comic movement, the performance feels less like a regular human and more like a witty spirit from the lamp.

The staging around the Genie is another highlight. While it doesn’t rely solely on cutting edge tech, you will see clever illusions and even bursts of theatrical fireworks. The number “Friend Like Me” shows this approach at its best.

Watching the Genie conjure a world of magic live on stage is a thrill.

The deeper meaning of A Whole New World

Alongside the signature duet “A Whole New World,” there is a lesser known gem sung by Aladdin and Jasmine, “Million Miles Away.” The song expresses a desire to escape everyday limits and discover one’s true self far from home, a dream later realized on the magic carpet. This theme reveals one of the show’s quiet strengths.

Jasmine disguises her status to walk among the people, and Aladdin uses the Genie’s magic to appear as a prince. Both try to step away from who they are, only to realize that is not the answer. They grow toward their best, truest selves.

Traveling far and gaining perspective can help us see our strengths more clearly. That message helps explain why Aladdin resonates with so many.

A trip to New York and a night with this show may not magically deliver a new you, but watching Aladdin and Jasmine soar and sing “A Whole New World” just as they enjoy exactly it, invites every audience member to imagine their own possibilities.

A real life touch of Disney magic

The refined performances and thoughtful staging made the magic feel real, but one moment after, the show felt truly magical. It involves our stage-door autograph story.

After the performance, we emailed our Disney contact to say thank you and mentioned that we managed to get three signatures. The next day, a large envelope arrived at our office.

Inside was a poster signed by the entire cast, along with a note from Nicholas, the Disney marketing manager who had invited us. The team cheered and called Disney immediately to express our thanks.

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