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Major Milestone for Aladdin on Broadway and a Tribute to Howard Ashman
The stage of the New Amsterdam Theatre shimmered a little brighter on Saturday night as Aladdin, the lavish Disney musical adaptation, celebrated its 4,000th performance on Broadway. But the evening was more than a milestone—it was a moving tribute to the late Howard Ashman, the lyricist whose visionary work helped usher in a new era of animated musical storytelling.
The date, May 17, coincided with what would have been Ashman’s 75th birthday, and Disney Theatrical Group marked the occasion with a special third-act celebration honoring his indelible contributions to the American musical canon. Though Ashman died in 1991, his legacy continues to resonate through the songs he penned for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, and Aladdin—collaborations that reshaped both Broadway and Hollywood.
First opening on March 20, 2014, Aladdin quickly established itself as a box-office juggernaut, earning critical praise and solidifying its place among Broadway’s 15 longest-running productions, alongside Disney’s own Beauty and the Beast. In a review for The New York Times, the show was described as “fabulous and extravagant,” and it has gone on to break 17 house records at the New Amsterdam Theatre. With 11 productions across four continents and more than 21 million theatergoers welcomed worldwide, Aladdin remains an enduring symbol of Disney’s theatrical ambition and global reach. Current stagings include productions in Tokyo, Madrid, and Seoul.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Group under the leadership of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart, and Thomas Schumacher, Aladdin features music by Alan Menken—an eight-time Oscar and Tony Award winner—lyrics by Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Chad Beguelin. Casey Nicholaw, a two-time Tony winner known for The Book of Mormon, serves as both director and choreographer.
The celebratory performance featured a third-act tribute to Ashman, with appearances from performers whose careers and lives have been touched by his work. Among them were Caleb B. Barnett, currently starring as the Genie; cast members from Little Shop of Horrors, including Khadija Sanko, Ariana Groover, and Salome Smith; Kyra Belle Johnson and Fergie Philippe from Disney’s forthcoming North American tour of Beauty and the Beast; and Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Alan Menken, Ashman’s longtime collaborator and one of the evening’s most honored guests, also took the stage.
Related: Watch Aladdin On Broadway Concert Celebration LIVE from EPCOT
The animated version of Aladdin, released in 1992, marked the last Disney film to feature lyrics by Ashman. It became the year’s top-grossing film and won two Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for “A Whole New World.” Its stage adaptation retains all five songs from the original soundtrack, supplemented by additional numbers written for the theatrical version.
The performance was both a celebration and an elegy, a testament to the enduring enchantment of a story that has captivated generations—and to the lyrical genius of a man whose work continues to shape the landscape of musical theater.
For more information, visit AladdinTheMusical.com.
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