Disney's 'Aladdin' musical to open in Seoul this fall

Disney's hit Broadway show "Aladdin" is set to open in Seoul this fall and Busan next year, musical production company S&Co announced Monday.

The world tour production of the musical will run from Nov. 22 at Charlotte Theater in Songpa District, southern Seoul to June 22 next year, and move to Busan's Dream Theatre in July. [S&CO]

Disney's hit Broadway show "Aladdin" is set to open in Seoul this fall and Busan next year, musical production company S&Co announced Monday.

The musical will run from Nov. 22 at Charlotte Theater in Songpa District, southern Seoul, to June 22 next year, and move to Busan's Dream Theatre in July. Specific dates for the Busan shows have not yet been revealed.

"Aladdin," based on Disney's 1992 animated film of the same title, is an ongoing show on Broadway, and has been staged over 3,500 times since premiering in New York's theater district in 2014, according to S&Co. Upon opening, it received five Tony Award nominations and won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for James Monroe Iglehart's performance as the Genie.

The musical currently ranks as the 15th longest-running show on Broadway and the fourth most commercial show, following "Lion King," "Wicked" and "Hamilton."

The show's score is composed by Alan Menken, who is also behind the original film's soundtrack. Menken's longtime collaborators Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin took part in the show's book and lyrics.

The original "Aladdin" choreographer, Casey Nicholaw, leads the world tour productions of the show, including the upcoming productions in Seoul and Busan. Nicholaw is also known for directing and choreographing Broadway's "The Book of Mormon" and "Mean Girls."

"Aladdin" arrives in Korea following Disney Theatrical Group's long-term contracts signed in February last year with Lotte Entertainment, musical PR and ticketing platform Clip Service and musical production company S&Co.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]