The Broadway production of the hit Disney musical Aladdin, which celebrated its 10th anniversary at the New Amsterdam Theatre earlier this year, welcomes Jacob Ben-Shmuel to the role of Omar beginning November 19.
The actor, who is making his Broadway debut, was previously seen in the national tour of The Book of Mormon as well as Off-Broadway in Amid Falling Walls. He succeeds Nathan Levy, who played his final performance November 17.
Ben-Shmuel joins Colt Prattes as Kassim and Michael Schimmele as Babkak, comprising Aladdin’s trio of sidekicks. The Broadway cast also currently features Adi Roy in the title role, Michael James Scott as the Genie, Sonya Balsara as Jasmine, Dennis Stowe as Jafar, JC Montgomery as Sultan, and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago.
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The stage production, which expands the 90-minute film into a two-act
format, has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by the late Howard Ashman and
Tim Rice, and a book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Nicholaw
directs and choreographs.
Aladdin opened at the new Amsterdam March 20, 2014, following previews that began February 26. The musical was nominated for five 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. James Monroe Iglehart won the Tony for his performance as the Genie. Globally, there have been 11 productions of Aladdin on four continents.
READ: All the Actors Who Have Played Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway
Aladdin is designed by Tony-winning scenic designer Bob
Crowley, Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, Tony-winning
costume designer Gregg Barnes, and sound designer Ken Travis.
The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette, and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly. John MacInnis is the associate choreographer, Jason Trubitt is the production supervisor, and Myriah Bash is the general manager. Anne Quart serves as executive producer.