THEATRE: ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH

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ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH

 

OMG, you guys! I had so much fun at this show at the Pasadena Playhouse; between the actual performance and the opening night festivities, I hardly know where to begin this review!

So, let me start off by telling you that the Lythgoe Family production of Aladdin and His Winter Wish is the perfect holiday entertainment! For everyone. You don’t even need to borrow a kid if you want to go see it as a grown-up! It’s that fun.

Photo by Clarence Alford.

Photo by Clarence Alford.

This show is full of things that make me happy, in several categories. It features two of my favorite show biz pals: Bruce Vilanch (as Aladdin’s mother, of course!,) and musical director, Michael Orland, who fills that same role on American Idol. All of the songs are famous ones that can be sung along to, including many hip, current ones, such as Bruno Mars’ Treasure (my favorite!,) and One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful. (I couldn’t stop singing Jai Ho for the next twenty-four hours!) And there’s a lot of fun dancing (though I still wanted more,) choreographed by Spencer Liff of So You Think You Can Dance. The young kid dancers were all great. And seeing Ben Vereen (as the exuberant Genie,) back on stage is the icing on a very delicious cake!

All those elements make Aladdin and His Winter Wish a winner. It’s not perfect, but it’s so much fun. My only tiny criticism is that it’s a bit too long, especially for children. A good twenty minutes could easily be cut. (For example, multiple appearances by a dancing girl who’s like an under-genie are far from necessary, but I guess she’s a little something thrown in for the fathers who attend.) But the audience is encouraged to sing along, cheer, and yes, even boo, so even if kids get a tad antsy towards the end of the acts, they don’t really have to sit still, like in most other audiences. This show prides itself on being very interactive.

 (L-R) Jordan Fisher, Ben Giroux, Bruce Vilanch and Ben Vereen.  Photo by Clarence Alford

(L-R) Jordan Fisher, Ben Giroux, Bruce Vilanch and Ben Vereen. Photo by Clarence Alford

The play itself is filled with clever touches throughout. I don’t want to spoil any surprises for you, so you’re just going to have to see the show for yourself. But I will tell you that the sets are mouthwateringly beautiful, (I love all the colors and designs,) and the singing voices of everyone involved, especially Jordan Fisher who plays Aladdin and Josh Adamson as the villain, are fabulous. I wanted to hear them all sing more!

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

The Pasadena Playhouse is my favorite theatre, for so many reasons including the kind personnel, easy neighborhood parking, leg room at the seats, stage sight lines, acoustics, and the overall ease of experience. And this night accentuated all those elements. From walking into the theatre to exiting, it’s just a whole happy event, with an electric atmosphere. Even the ticket-takers and ushers get into the holiday spirit. And this show reminds us that the audience is the most important part of any live theatre experience. It was great to be a part of it.

Since it was Opening Night when I saw it, we had some special perks beforehand, like a candy bar, a live camel, and a cocktail party, but the same fun atmosphere will permeate the entire run. Before every performance, there’s a “Winter Wonderland” in the beautifully-decorated Courtyard. It features holiday carolers, crafts for kids, a game or two, and maybe you’ll even be able to visit Santa! And a very special surprise as you exit the theater at the end. So don’t leave early!

The courtyard hubbub.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

The courtyard hubbub. Photo by Karen Salkin.

(If you’re bringing children, you should also check into the Golden Ticket opportunities and the Character Breakfasts that are available prior to some matinees at the adjacent eatery, red white+bluezz.)

Okay, before I tell you about some of the celebrities who were there to celebrate the opening, I have to give you one reading lesson, in case they haven’t fixed it yet. (Of course, being a former teacher, and current journo, I had to let the powers-that-be over there know of the error, so it may be corrected by now.) At one point in the show, they show us lyrics to an original song. They want the audience to “stomp” their feet, but they erroneously wrote “stamp” instead of “stomp,” even though they’re pronouncing it correctly. I just want everyone, especially the children, to know how to really spell the words; they are not inter-changeable.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s more fun stuff. There will be more deets on them in my next Celeb Sightings column, but here are some of the famous faces I spotted on opening night: Neil Patrick Harris, ”The Beaver” Jerry Mathers, ’80s TV star Charlene Tilton, and Dancing With The Stars pro Kim Johnson. But I was the most happy to talk to fabulous dancer Marko Germar, who took third place on Season 8 of So You Think You Can Dance. (I introduced him to Michael Orland at the post-show party, and I enjoyed watching the mutual lovefest.)

Michael Orland and David Hernandez performing at the after party Photo by Karen Salkin.

Michael Orland and David Hernandez performing at the after party Photo by Karen Salkin.

Speaking of the party, even though I was exhausted after this incredible evening, and really wanted to get home to see Mr. X before he left for his weekly midnight krump dancing sesh, my guest and I were invited to the beautiful private reception at red white+bluezz by Ashley Argota, who played the Princess in the show, so how could we not put in an appearance? I’m thrilled we did because, in addition to the delicious fare, we were treated to holiday songs from former American Idol-er David Hernandez, (I love that Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of all these shows, is so loyal to his flock,) accompanied by none other than Michael Orland, (because I guess he hadn’t worked enough that night!) What a thrill for all involved!

Aladdin and His Winter Wish running through December 29, 2013
Pasadena Playhouse  39 South El Molino Ave.  Pasadena  626-356-7529  www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

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1 Comment

  1. The cast and crew did a wonderful job. My daughter was fully entertained, as well as my wife and I. Always a pleasure to attend the Pasadena Playhouse performances. So much fun to attend a performance which entertains not only the children, but the adult audience as well. From the lead roles, to the dancers (especially enjoyed the choreography, comedy, wardrobe and dancing) my family was fully entertained. Looking forward to next year’s holiday season performance…but for now, Jordan, Ashley, Bruce, Josh, Richard, Ben Giroux, and the great Ben Vereen’s performance was a true holiday treat. Well done.

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