Gareth Jacobs takes on Coveted Role of Genie in Aladdin
Melbourne’s own Gareth Jacobs, current the standby Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, will take over the role full-time from Tuesday 19 December 2017. Aladdin continues to play at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne until January 28.
Gareth Jacobs will replace Michael James Scott – who originated the role in the Australian production and won a Helpmann award for it – and will pass on the magic lamp after almost 18 months as the show-stopping Genie.
Frankston-born Gareth Jacobs trained in musical theatre at the University of Ballarat in country Victoria and honed his skills on the high seas as lead vocalist and vocal captain for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. He was a Top 24 contestant on The X Factor and played the role of Jimmy Early in StageArt’s Dreamgirls. He has been understudying Genie, Sultan and Babkak in Disney’s Aladdin since the Australian premiere in August 2016.
Gareth said; “To play the Genie in this phenomenal production really is a wish come true. I’m a huge fan of the original animated Disney film and to learn the musical ropes from the magical Michael James Scott has been an added blessing. I can’t wait to move into the lamp permanently and get granting those wishes full-time – you ain’t never had a friend like me!” 
Gareth joins Ainsley Melham as Aladdin, Hiba Elchikhe as Jasmine, Adam Murphy as Jafar, Aljin Abella as Iago, George Henare as the Sultan, Adam Jon Fiorentino as Kassim, Troy Sussman as Babkak and Robert Tripolino as Omar.
This dazzling new production is now playing at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre where it will remain until 28 January 2018 before the magic carpet takes flight on 25 February 2018 in Brisbane, and 19 July 2018 in Perth.
The Australian production boasts a cast of 34 and a staggering 337 glittering costumes, featuring 1,225 different fabrics, 712 different styles of beads and more than 500,000 Swarovski crystals.
Aladdin, adapted from the Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical. Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the showfeatures music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).
The animated film Aladdin was released by Disney in 1992 and was a critical and box office smash, grossing over $500 million worldwide (not adjusted for inflation) and becoming the highest-grossing film of the year.
Tickets for the Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth seasons are available from aladdinthemusical.com.au.
