COVID Closes Down Broadway’s ‘Aladdin’ Again

Earlier this year, Broadway performers and Broadway audiences were thrilled and moved by the emotional return of Broadway’s shows–particularly Disney Broadway shows including The Lion King, Frozen, and Aladdin. The lead performers in the three Disney Broadway shows even performed together on The View in a beautiful medley of their show’s iconic songs (the unique mix of Broadway performances featured Caroline Bowman as Elsa and Carole Innerbichler as Anna from Frozen, Brandon A. McCall as Simba and Adrienne Walker as Nala from The Lion King, and Michael James Scott as the Genie)! Unfortunately, less than two days after that September performance, Aladdin was forced to close due to COVID-19 cases within the cast. Now, COVID-19 has closed down the show once again in New York City.

The news was announced on Aladdin‘s Instagram page, with the only missed shows so far being the 1 pm and 6:30 pm shows on Sunday December 19. According to the post, “breakthrough COVID 19 cases have been detected within the company of Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre”. Tickets will apparently “be refunded at the point of purchase”, and the Instagram post’s captain says that the next show is “scheduled to resume” on Tuesday December 21 at 7 pm. Shoba Narayan, who plays Princess Jasmine in the Disney theatrical production, shared the post in her Instagram Stories without any additional comments.

Shoba Narayan and her leading man Michael Maliakel are both new to their roles as Princess Jasmine and Aladdin, and after hearing tidbits of their duet from the show’s famous song “A Whole New World”, it’s no surprise that audience members will be disappointed by the show’s temporary closure. Since the cast of this Broadway show (and the cast of The Lion King on Broadway and Frozen on Broadway) were all very clear about their desire to get back to performing, it’s likely that the show’s company is disappointed and concerned, too!

Are you planning on going to see a future performance of this Disney musical and Broadway show once it reopens, or are you planning on seeing Frozen on its current North American tour or The Lion King on Broadway (or on tour) instead?