Based on the hit 1992 Disney film, Aladdin follows a poor man’s journey as he attempts to win the heart of a princess — with the help of a genie and a magic lamp — all while taking on an evil royal advisor.
Emmy Award winner Sherri Shepherd will star as the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway for a limited run from October 16 through January 3, 2027. She will be the first woman to play the Genie in the production.
The talk show host, comedian, actress, and best-selling author made history as the first African American actress to play the Evil Stepmother in Cinderella. She has also starred in the Off-Broadway shows Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Joy Behar’s My First Ex-Husband.
Shepherd said: “Joining Aladdin on Broadway is an absolute dream come true—and an incredible honor. The Genie is such an iconic character, and I’m beyond excited to bring my own energy, humor, heart, and a little bit of magic to this role. I hope audiences see themselves in this Genie and leave the theater feeling so much joy and inspired to believe in the impossible.
“To step on that stage as the first woman to ever play the Genie is something I don’t take lightly. I’m ready to rub the lamp, unleash some magic, and have the time of my life on Broadway.”
Based on the hit 1992 Disney film, Aladdin follows a poor man’s journey as he attempts to win the heart of a princess — with the help of a genie and a magic lamp — all while taking on an evil royal advisor.
Aladdin features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Beguelin. The musical is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.
The rest of the creative team includes scenic designer Bob Crowley, lighting designer Natasha Katz, costume designer Gregg Barnes, sound designer Ken Travis, illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette, makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira, music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.
Get Aladdin tickets on New York Theatre Guide.
Photo credit: Sherri Shepherd. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)