Date Night | Aladdin The Musical in Toronto

aladdinI was super pumped when I heard Aladdin the Musical was debuting in Toronto before it hit Broadway…so much so that I put it on my Christmas wishlist and that’s how the hubs and I spent a date night this holiday season. Oh Aladdin! My all time favourite Disney movie! I refused to read any critic reviews before I experienced Aladdin for myself and I’m glad I did because most of the reviews were mediocre during the opening week performances. I suppose the cast had some time to build on the feedback they received over the last couple weeks because for the most part we were  taken for a thrilling ride. The only surprise was who ended up taking us on that ride! 

 

 

Ed Mirvish Theatre, Cannon Theatre Toronto  This was our first time at the Ed Mirvish Theatre and I was enamoured by the old world grandeur of the interior. The Ed Mirvish Theatre is a historic film and play theatre in downtown Toronto and was originally known as the Pantages Theatre in 1920. It then became the Imperial Theatre and later the Canon Theatre before it was renamed in honour of Ed Mirvish, a popular businessman and theatre impresario. Today the theatre is one of Toronto’s heritage properties and understandably so. Winding staircases, glistening chandeliers and marble accents transports one to a forgotten era … oh what fun it would be to host a Great Gatsby themed event here!!

While I saw quite a few kids I’d say that this spot is geared more for adults and older children and I for one am glad I didn’t have the tots with me. Plus… I really wanted to focus on the show with no distractions! No photography is permitted inside the auditorium and given how much I like to click photos of the little ones it was another good reason they weren’t there. We probably would have got kicked out even before the show started!

Well let’s get back to the performance shall we? I for one love love love Aladdin in its original form so I was caught off guard when new additions were introduced – notably a boy band version of buddies for Aladdin. They yapped too much and their goal was to provide comic relief though none was really required and their obvious jokes barely got a chuckle out of me. I really missed Abu. Why oh why was there no Abu? Luckily Iago was there and put on a hilarious performance for us. He was my second favourite character that evening!

Aladdin Toronto
Image from the Mirvish website

The main star of the show was the ever so fabulous Genie!  James Monroe Iglehart had big shoes to fill and he certainly did it with great finesse! From the his opening act to his final suitcase packing scene Iglehart had us joyously riveted and toe tapping. The modified script allowed his character to inject some pop culture anecdotes such as ” You get a wish! You get a wish! You get a car!” that actually got the audience LOLing. Iglehart deserved the standing ovation he got for an absolutely brilliant performance that captured the true Disney essence.

Next up it was the gorgeous set that I fell in love with.  The bright colours and dazzling costumes ( I want blingy harem pants now!) quickly transported us to the Sahara desert and the souks and bazaars. My favourite shades of purple, pink , blue and green were used throughout the entire production so no wonder I loved it eh? I must admit that this was my first broadway production so it’s hard for me to guage the set quality and the hubs mentioned that Lion King was definitely more impressive. However as an average lover of the arts I was loving the production value. The trap door entrances and the cave of wonders scene were most memorable for me. You’re probably wondering about THE SCENE. The one I really went for … the magic carpet ride…right? It was done really well! Though a few things threw the scene off; we were unable to see the faces of Aladdin and Jasmine as they soared through the sky and the actors creating the water waves were distracting as they were in full visibility. Don’t get me wrong, I was totally into the scene but just wanted something more.

Something more …something more… I was interested in the relationship between Genie and Aladdin more than the he meets she love story between Jasmine and Aladdin. The script didn’t allow for us to really invest our emotions into their journey and I really can’t pinpoint why that was. Was it the script? The lack luster performance by Jasmine? Or was the cartoon just TOOOOO GOOOD that my expectations were too high? The love story plot was there but it didn’t lock my heart and drag it through a turbulent ride – which is what I wanted. The tweens around me seemed quite pleased with the performance but I think the adults in the audience were grasping for something. Something – but we know not what exactly. Where are those indescribablefeelings?

At the end of the day I still loved the production and enjoyed humming and toe tapping along to the popular tunes. The stunning set held me in rapture and I was taken on a thrilling ride by the Genie. Should you go? Yes! For the fabulous production, joyous tunes and  gregariously lovable Genie but not the love story.

 

 

 

  • Amanda Grondin-Stocks
    December 30, 2013 at 10:41 am

    I went opening week…they were still figuring out some of the “tweaks” but from what I’ve read from yourreview I agree with everything. The costumes really are gorgeous…the sets are very impressive…and Genie is AMAZING! But you are left wanting something more.

    I have been to a lot of Mirvish performances. Not as good as Lion King or Cats…or Phantom…but I enjoyed it just as much.

    A.

    • Yashy
      December 30, 2013 at 10:46 am

      I really need to see Phantom and Cats!! Lion King will be here soon so I just may have to put that on a wishlist too!

  • Date Night | The Lion King Musical in Toronto - Baby and Life!
    May 19, 2014 at 9:35 am

    […] the hubs and I snuck out to soak in the fabulousness that I heard The Lion King musical was. When we watched Aladdin, the hubs told me how much he loved The Lion King production which he had caught during a visit to […]

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