Aladdin – Musical – Review – Paramount Theatre

@showsiveseen @Disney's "#Aladdin" #musical at Paramount Theatre w/ @Seattle Theatre Group & @BwayAmerica starring Adi Roy & @senzel 🫶🏼. @Marcus M. Martin's #Genie gave Robbin Williams a run for his money. Clever comedic relief jokes w/ Middle Eastern references. Closes on 4/28! #theatre #showsiveseen #princessjasmine #disney @Disney on Broadway ♬ Friend Like Me (From "Aladdin") – Geek Music

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Disney’s Aladdin musical at Paramount Theatre w/ Seattle Theatre Group & Broadway Across America starring Adi Roy & Senzel Ahmady. Marcus M. Martin’s Genie gave Robbin Williams a run for his money. Clever comedic relief jokes with Middle Eastern references.

Recommendation
See it, especially if you enjoyed the movie.


Synopsis from the Theatre: Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Attended Performance Date: 4/24/24 – Get you tickets now since the tour is only in-town for one week till 4/28/24.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? No

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this more if you’ve seen the original film.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: All

Total Number of Actors: 31

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium to fast speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I saw the national tour in 2017, also at Paramount Theatre. Plus, I saw the movie countless times.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Two times seeing the national tour is probably enough for me. But obviously, the production value is inherently good since it’s a national tour.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Cave of Wonders: The show’s energy felt off a couple of times in the beginning until the cave of wonders segment. The scene had a dazzling set, an alluring premise, and tap dance! It was an entertaining introduction to the Genie character (played by the delightful Marcus M. Martin).
  • Comedic Relief: The jokes were funny … if not a bit corny. One of my favorites was “She [Princess Jasmine] is a beauty what with the hair and the belly button.” Most other jokes were Middle Eastern-themed (like “Tom, Dick, and Hassim”) that frequently mentioned Arabic food.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • “Price Ali” Song: This would have been a better pre-intermission showstopper than a second act opener.
  • “Proud of Your Boy” Song: Every time they sang this song, I kept thinking about how the Proud Boys adopted it as their anthem. It’s ruined for me!
  • Dance Synchronicity : Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the last national tour (MJ: The Musical) that I saw at the Paramount Theatre, but it felt like the choreography could have been tighter.
  • Honest Guards: The guards could have rubbed the lamp when it was handed to them at the end!
  • “A Whole New World” Song: It was definitely not as epic as the movie’s classic hit song. But the magic carpet stage effects was pretty cool to see. Side note, the magic carpet could be likened to a car. How high school cliche is it for a girl to fall for a guy after she finds out he has a new fancy car!

Theatre Company: National Tour Brought by Seattle Theatre Group and Broadway Across America

Venue: Paramount Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://seattle.broadway.com/shows/disneys-aladdin/.

Ticket Affordability Options: Seattle Theatre Group might partner with an organization you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, I believe UW employees/students are eligible for an organization discount.

Dates: April 24 – 28, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking and paid garage parking. The best parking garage is under the convention center w/ the entrance on Pike around the Pike and Terry intersection. Last I checked, this is one of the cheapest, least busy, and closest garages. Alternatively, you can probably find street parking as you move closer to the West Precinct (810 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101). Do NOT park where the Paramount subscribers park. Last I checked, they usually park in the garage attached to the Cheesecake Factory. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to exit that garage after the show.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Deen van Meer.

Senzel Ahmady and Company in Aladdin Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.
Marcus M Martin and Company in Aladdin Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.
Marcus M Martin and Company in Aladdin Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.
Jake Letts, Ben Chavez, Adi Roy, Colt Prattes in Aladdin Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.
Arabian Nights Men in Aladdin on Broadway. Photo by Deen van Meer.
Anand Nagraj and Aaron Choi in Aladdin Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.
Adi Roy in Aladdin Tour. Photo by Deen van Meer.

Anyone Can Whistle – Musical – Review – Reboot Theatre & Theatre Off Jackson

@showsiveseen "Anyone Can Whistle" #Sondheim #musical by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. Starring @Anamaria Guerzon, @Rhys, & Shana Emile. The exploration of binary absolutes vs shades of grey fit perfectly with Reboot Theatre's typical nontraditional casting interpretations. Closes this weekend 3/23/24! #theatre #showsiveseen Review: showsiveseen.com/8229 Photos: Colin Madison Director: @Jasmine Joshua Stage Manager: @Jessamyn Bateman-Iin ♬ Everybody Says Don't – Barbra Streisand

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Anyone Can Whistle Sondheim musical by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. The exploration of binary absolutes vs shades of grey fit perfectly with Reboot Theatre’s typical nontraditional casting interpretations.

Recommendation
See it if either 1) you enjoyed Urinetown 2) or you want to see a whimsical Sondheim musical. Bonus points if you enjoy Sondheim’s characteristic cacophonous dissonant musical style.


Synopsis from the Theatre: This wacky, intelligent, highly unconventional musical points ahead to Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking work in the 1970s, even as it keeps a foot firmly rooted in musical theatre’s “golden age.” Anyone Can Whistle tells the story of a corrupt mayor who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town, and the ill-fated romance between the rational nurse, out to expose the fraud, and the easygoing doctor who is determined to enjoy the chaos that it brings.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 3/9/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since it closes this weekend on 3/23/24!

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: 0

Total Number of Actors: 15

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? I’d consider seeing it again as an Equity production, which is surprising since I typically dislike Sondheim musicals.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Ensemble Songs: The shining moments in this show were when the entire cast burst into song at the same time like in “Miracle Song” when they discovered water.

Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre and Theatre Off Jackson

Venue: Theatre Off Jackson

Venue Physical Address: 409 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

Price: Cheap

Tickets: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/reboottheatre/whistle

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $5 inclusion rate option on the website

Dates: March 8 to 23, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking is usually available north of the theatre on the hill close to the park. You can also try free parking on Jackson Street under/past the I-5 bridge, though it’s a dodgier area. As usual, there are paid parking lots nearby as well.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Colin Madison Photography.

Shana Emile as Cora Hoover Hooper with her Goons. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Shana Emile and June Apollo Johns. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Puppetry and the Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Miles Wingett and Cynthia Dario-Good. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
June Apollo Johns and the Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
The Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
Anamaria Guerzon and the Cast of Anyone Can Whistle. Photo by Colin Madison Photography.

Something’s Afoot – Musical – Review – The 5th Avenue Theatre

@showsiveseen "Something's Afoot" delightful #whodunit #murder #mystery #musical #comedy at @The 5th Avenue Theatre. Luxurious velvet-like set. "Tiny Little Dinghy" song was hilarious. I was certain about the #murderer's identity until unexpectedly proven wrong in the end! Closes this weekend 3/24. Review: showsiveseen.com/8205 Photos: Tracy Martin & Mark Kitaoka Director: Bill Berry Music Director: Beth G Tankersley Stage Manager: @Erin Zatloka #theatre #showsiveseen #SomethingsAfoot ♬ Something's Afoot – Susie Blake

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Something’s Afoot delightful whodunit musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Luxurious velvet-like set. “Tiny Little Dinghy” song was hilarious. I was certain about the murderer’s identity until unexpectedly proven wrong in the end!

Recommendation
See it if you enjoy whodunit murder mystery hijinks comedy shows like Clue and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.


Synopsis from the Theatre: Prepare to laugh until it hurts with this musical spoof of the whodunit genre. Something’s Afoot pokes fun at Agatha Christie murder mysteries; ten people are stranded in an isolated country estate during a raging thunderstorm. One by one, they are picked off by cleverly fiendish devices. As bodies pile up, the survivors frantically race to solve the mystery! Join in the tomfoolery of this farcical, raucous, and outrageous play, that will appeal to lovers of shows like Arrested Development, The Office, and Schitt’s Creek

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 3/8/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts on my website and social media if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since it closes this weekend on 3/24/24!

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Just one – the living room of an old English mansion

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but it helps to have seen some Agatha Christie plays.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but there’s only so much that can occur in a living room.

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Equity Actors: 10

Total Number of Actors: 10

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not, but it was good.

Rant(s)

  • Murder Explanations: When the murderer was revealed in the end, the script did not adequately explain how each murder occurred. It seemed like a cop out.

Theatre Company: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue: The 5th Avenue Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 1308 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Price: Medium to Expensive

Tickets: https://www.5thavenue.org/shows/2023-2024/something-s-afoot/

Ticket Affordability Options: The 5th Avenue Theatre often partners with organizations you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, they sometimes offer a discount for my employer affiliation. They also usually offer day-of-show rush tickets.

Dates: March 1 to March 24, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: When I don’t walk to the theatre or park on the street, I park in the paid garage at the Motif Hotel northwest of the theatre. The entrance is on 5th Ave. Do NOT park in the Hilton garage (entrance on 6th Ave). That’s where most of the audience (and I think the subscribers) parks, so it’s a nightmare to leave. However, the Hilton garage is the closest garage to the theatre and you can access the theatre through a tunnel if you want to avoid the elements. But, in my opinion, this benefit is not worth the time wasted leaving the garage.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by Tracy Martin and Mark Kitaoka.

The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
Anne Allgood and Sarah Rudinoff in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Something’s Afoot. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.
Brandon O’Neill and Porscha Shaw in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Something’s Afoot. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Mark Kitaoka.
The cast of Something’s Afoot at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin.

Preview Post – The Fantasticks – Musical – Village Theatre

The Fantasticks musical opening night at Village Theatre. Performing until 4/21/24 in Issaquah and 5/19/24 in Everett. Stay tuned for my full review!

Tickets: https://villagetheatre.org/shows/fantasticks/

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Preview Post – Anyone Can Whistle – Musical – Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson

Anyone Can Whistle wacky Sondheim musical opening weekend by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. Performing until 3/23/24. Stay tuned for my full review!

Final Full Review (Posted 3/20/24): https://www.showsiveseen.com/anyone-can-whistle-musical-review-reboot-theatre-theatre-off-jackson/

Tickets: https://reboottheatre.org/

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