Original Aladdin cast member Michael James Scott rejoins the Broadway company, again assuming the role of Genie beginning February 28 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
Scott, who served as a standby when the Disney musical first opened in 2014, went on to play the Genie full-time in Australia, in London's West End, and in the North American tour. His additional credits include Something Rotten! and The Book of Mormon (both, like Aladdin, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw).
The current cast also includes Rodney Ingram as Aladdin (with Ainsley Melham stepping in in March), Arielle Jacobs as Jasmine, Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Brian Gonzales as Babkak, Mike Longo as Kassim, Brad Weinstock as Omar, Don Darryl Rivera as Iago, and J. C. Montgomery as Sultan.The Disney Theatrical Productions title opened in 2014 and features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin.
Hydration Station…. Looking out and gazing at a two show day. My day starts with drinking lots of water. It’s the basics that keep you healthy in an eight show week schedule (SLEEP & WATER)
It’s a grooming day. Every other day I do a full shave of the face and head. The head so that the Genie glitter can shine really bright and the face because a shaved head and goatee is actually part of the official look for the Genie….. meaning it’s part of my job to maintain that look for the role!
One of my favorite times is at the start of the day when it’s my chill time. I usually watch The View, Wendy Williams and the Food Network… what you don’t see me holding my phone checking all my news outlets and social media outlets… gotta get my news/pop culture in!!
No start of my day is complete without a visit to my FIERCE local coffee shop Devocíon for an iced latte!!!
Time to get my grub on!! Today before my first show, I’m having brunch with my very dear friend Anne.
I made it to my matinee. It’s time to sign in and check the call board for any information needed for the day. When you arrive to the theatre all the actors have to sign in on the call board so that stage management know you are in the building. This is also where you can sign up for Physical Therapy, read for any news of the show including if anyone is out of the show. It’s the news head quarters of Agrabah!
At about 50 minutes before showtime, my pre-show preparations begin. The lovely Rich Fabris from the hair department along, with the sound, helps with get my mic on. Fun Genie fact …. I have 2 microphones in my goatee…. then the cord is taped down and make-up is applied so you don’t see it. A little Disney Magic right there!!
Always a treat with a pre-show dressing room visit by THE one and only Don Darryl Rivera, who plays Iago in the our show.
Now the Genie Magic begins. The gorgeous Hair & Makeup supervisor Cheryl Thomas (aka Aunt Cheryl) gets my Genie glam on with her flawless make-up job EVERY show and then glitter a go go. Fun fact… after the opening number I go down to the basement to meet Aunt Cheryl before I head back up to my dressing room to get GenieFIED!!!
Act 2 of the matinee is about to start, and my fabulously gorgeously incredible dresser Cathy Cline gets me Genie-ready!
One of my favorite times during my day when I’m at the show is getting to see the magic backstage and our incredible crew in action.
It’s in between shows…. Today I have a rehearsal for the 5th Anniversary Celebration of Aladdin on Broadway and a surprise five-Genie performance is happening. Our original Genie James Monroe Iglehart, myself, Major Attaway (who was also the Genie on Broadway and now on the National tour), and our two standbys Juwan Crowley & Deonte L. Warren, along with our genius director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw, are all in a room having no fun at all.
Five Genies walk into a room!!!!!!
Just a little bit of time for a quick physical therapy session with the incredible Sarah Nolan from Physio Arts. Fun fact: I’ve worked with Sarah for four shows, which has been incredible to be able to work with someone who knows your body and what work needs to done! Thank God for these theatre angels who keep us all healthy on Broadway.
I usually try and get in a quick nap between shows as well . . . Today, though, Jafar just couldn’t help himself than to crash my nap.
In between show Chai time!!!
A quick visit with Arielle Jacobs…. The Princess and her puppy!!! How cute are they!!!!
SATURDAY NIGHT ON BROADWAY CRAZINESS!!!!
Before the curtain goes up!!!!! Here we go… second show!!!
Ok it’s Show Time!!!
Michael James Scott
What a crazy exciting 2 show day… and now I turn off the dressing room lights and go
home to wake up and do it all over again!!
home to wake up and do it all over again!!
