Sherri Shepherd will become the first woman to play the Genie in Broadway's production of Disney's Aladdin when she begins a limited engagement October 16. She will perform through January 3, 2027.
Caleb A. Barnett, who currently plays Genie, will remain with the company as the standby during Shepherd's run.
Shepherd is returning to Broadway
The Genie will be Shepherd's second Broadway role. She previously played the Evil Stepmother in Cinderella in 2014.
Shepherd is preparing for a high-energy role
Shepherd told The Associated Press that she is taking dance and voice lessons and practicing “Friend Like Me” on long walks through New York. She described joining the Aladdin family as “beyond thrilled.”
Aladdin remains at the New Amsterdam Theatre
Disney's stage Aladdin is based on the 1992 animated film. The Broadway production opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre in March 2014.
Sources: The Associated Press and Broadway.com.
Image: Broadway.com (Matthew Murphy © Disney).