Disney's blockbuster 1992 film Aladdin, was recreated into a spectacular theatrical production in the US last year and became an instant Broadway musical hit, will open at Sydney's Capitol Theatre in August 2016. Estimates by the NSW Government predict that more than 120,000 visitors will be arriving, bringing to the economy a $39 million bounty for the state in visitor expenditure.
Following its Broadway launch last year, the show is also set to run in London, Tokyo and Hamburg.
The musical production will feature the most popular songs from the original movie score by Alan Menken, including the Oscar-winning "A Whole New World". The movie, based on the ancient lore One Thousand and One Nights starred the voice of the late Robin Williams as Genie, in one of Robin's most memorable roles. Since the Broadway production launch in 2014, more than 1 million theatregoers have seen the musical.
Stuart Ayres - The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events - said he hopes Aladdin will follow on from the success of other Disney musical hits such as The Lion King, which attracted more than 600,000 visitors.
"It's got such a fantastic track record, it's not just for children, it's for everyone." Mr Ayres said of Aladdin. "It's a genuine Broadway comedy, it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will inspire you. It does all the things that Disney has been doing to families and people around the world for many, many years now."
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| On set of Aladdin the musical - magic carpet scene |
Sydney was chosen as part of the show's performance schedule due to the city being a world theatre capital where the company has much success with previous productions of The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Beauty and The Beast.
Especially The Lion King - which is still showing in Melbourne and set to move to Perth next month - has been an theatrical Goliath with estimates that the show has racked in global ticket sales of more than US$6.2 billion dollars, giving the musical title of the most lucrative production in entertainment history.
"At this moment in time, when everyone has got their face in their smartphone, or their tablet or computer, record numbers of people are coming to see shows on Broadway," Disney Theatrical Productions president Thomas Schumacher said.
Tickets for Aladdin at the Capitol Theatre Sydney will go on sale in March 2016.
Disney is also deep into the process of writing the musical version of Frozen - the highly anticipated production that many wonder whether the show may surpass the popularity of The Lion King - possibly due for release between 2017-2018.
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| Adam Jacobs as Aladdin and Courtney Reed as Princess Jasmine stars in "Aladdin" Broadway production |
