By Harrison Lorenzen
Overall very good production. The technical delay pulled the audience out of the action, but the talent, staging, and effects made up for it. Major Attaway as the Genie is hilarious and the costumes are breathtaking.
From colorful market dances to starlit magic carpet rides, Aladdin at the Hobby Center has something to appeal every member of your family. This production reimagines Walt Disney’s animated classic bringing all the magic you remember from the original and more. Featuring jokes fit for every age, countless food puns, and nonstop pop culture references, playgoers of all ages are bound to enjoy it. Barring a 5-minute technical delay, the show moves along quite fast, fitting in all the hit songs from the movie with a few new ones added in. While the sets are intricate and shimmering, as are the fireworks, the costumes are by far the best technical attribute. Featuring over 2 million Swarovski crystals hand sewn amongst the beading, the costumes glisten throughout every scene. On the acting side, Clinton Greenspan (Aladdin) effectively embodies the “diamond in the rough” trying to steal the heart of Princess Jasmine, played by the talented Kaena Kekoa, however, Major Attaway steals the show from the overture through the finale as the Genie. Leading a fabulous cast of dancers and singers, Attaway draws in the audience in a way that only the Genie can. Throwing in some Houston specific humor along the way, the Genie spends the whole show appealing to the audience more than he does appealing to Aladdin, his “Genie Master”. Leading the incredible dancers through “Friend Like Me”, the Genie performs just as much magic as he does in the movie, captivating the audience in awe. But above all else, the most mystical scene is when Aladdin takes Jasmine on a magic carpet ride in “A Whole New World”. Soaring far above the Earth on a star-filled stage, the magic carpet will amaze everyone. With something to appeal to fans young and old, Aladdin is a must-see while its in town. Aladdin is playing at the Hobby Center now through July 14th. Tickets are available at houston.broadway.com or at thehobbycenter.org.
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