Disney’s Aladdin Dual Language Edition
The Firehouse Theatre
Disney’s Aladdin Dual Language Edition
My thoughts on Disney’s Aladdin Dual Language Edition or…fun in any language.
Does interspersing Spanish and English throughout a production work? You betcha. And in the skillful hands of Director Pamela Anglero’ and Music Director Daniel Hernandez it works very well indeed. My Spanish is limited at best, and I didn’t miss anything and even if you know zero Spanish or zero English, you will be so caught up in the story of Aladdin and Princess Jazmin and the Genie that it doesn’t matter.
Anglero’ puts so much magic in this Aladdin that you are under its spell from your first moments in Agrabah. The talented ensemble dressed in Dayna Dutton’s beautiful costumes and dancing to Rachel Nabarrete’s Middle Eastern flavored choreography lure you into the land of the Arabian Nights and the story of Aladdin.
Such a talented cast on this magic carpet ride of a musical. And speaking of magic carpets, Skylar Johnson makes a most excellent one. The entire ensemble here is terrific and they play many different roles throughout the evening, often making very quick changes.
Our Royal Translators, who also play ensemble parts, are the charming duo of Jacqueline Castillo and Lucas Haupert and Sam Morales is the loyal to Jafar Razu and other roles.
Doug Fowler is amazing to watch as Jafar’s parrot Iago. Fowler operates a puppet and speaks and sings in Spanish and English as if it was second nature. And while we are on creatures, Tiana Shuntaé Alexander is at her catty best as Jazmin’s cat Rajah with claws out ready to protect the princess and Danny Vanegas is lithe, limber, and all together adorable as Aladdin’s pet monkey Abu. Alexander and Vanegas get my scene stealer award for the production. I want that cat and monkey! You can keep the parrot. It talks too much.
Brian Vazquez as Aladdin and Whitney Lucio as Princess Jazmin look like they stepped right out of the movie. Lucio, who is especially good when interacting with her father the Sultan, played appealingly by Robert Escamilla, gives Jazmin the proper regal presence. Vazquez’s Aladdin is young, adventurous, and slightly goofy. Both Lucio and Vazquez give winning performances and we are delighted when they get their whole new world.
Standing in the way of the young couple’s happiness is the evil Jafar. John Sanchez plays the role to the hilt. Dressed in black and with incredible makeup, Sanchez’s Jafar is probably the best villain I have seen on DFW stages. He is genuinely frightening, and we never see a crack in his villainy. Sanchez’s commitment to character is unforgettable.
Also unforgettable is Jason Philip Solis as the Genie. Solis chalks up yet another brilliant comic performance and I am beginning to think there is nothing they can’t do. They keep those Genie jokes flying and their “Friend Like Me” is the musical highlight of the show. Solis’s comic delivery and timing could not be better. I want to flashback forty years and give them their own variety show. Keep sprinkling that glitter, Jason!
This Aladdin is a hit in any language and is a family friendly show. Ages five and above will be entertained. Director Anglero’ and her team have a winner here. It’s a magic carpet ride with big laughs and great songs and mucho corazón.
