Aladdin's reason to exist on stage is Friend Like Me, a Genie number that keeps escalating for several minutes until the house is applauding mid-song, plus a magic-carpet effect the production has never explained. The New Amsterdam itself is worth the ticket, a 1903 Art Nouveau house restored to the stencilling. If you have children who found The Lion King's puppetry too abstract, this is the more straightforwardly delighted option.
What to expect
Two acts of big-budget Disney staging with quick-change costumes, pyrotechnics and a flying carpet sequence played without visible rigging. The New Amsterdam's interior is a draw in itself, so arrive early enough to look at it. Expect a heavily family audience and a long mid-show ovation after the Genie's first number.
Good to know
- The New Amsterdam is on West 42nd near Times Square; nearly every subway line stops at Times Sq-42 St
- Arrive early to see the restored Art Nouveau interior, which is a landmark in its own right
- Works well for children roughly six and up
- There are pyrotechnic and flash effects in the Genie sequences
- December afternoons are the busiest performances for families; evenings run calmer
- Wheelchair seating and assistive listening devices are available
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Common questions
Is it different from the film?
Yes. The stage version restores several Ashman and Menken songs cut from the animated film and drops the animal sidekicks.
What age is it for?
Disney recommends it for roughly six and up; it is one of the more accessible Broadway shows for younger children.
Does the carpet really fly?
The magic-carpet sequence is staged as a genuine effect and the production has never disclosed how it works.
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