English-Spanish ‘Aladdin’ opens a whole new world for the dual-language family musical
Aladdin speaks only English. Princess Jasmine speaks only Spanish. The divide is the work of the evil Jafar, though the antagonist accidentally enables Rajah the tiger and Abu the monkey to later act as comedic translators for the star-crossed lovers.
Disney’s popular musical “Aladdin” will get this dual-language adaptation in Los Angeles from Casa 0101 Theater in Boyle Heights and TNH Productions. It officially opens Friday and runs through Feb. 19.
For the record:
5:01 p.m. April 26, 2024An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Los Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo represents the district that Casa 0101 Theater calls home. Councilman Jose Huizar represents that district.
The family-friendly concept first premiered at Theatre Under the Stars in Houston in 2009. The office of L.A. City Councilman Gil Cedillo has signed on as a co-presenter.
The show was musically directed by Caroline Benzon, choreographed by Tania Possick and directed by TNH Productions Artistic Director Rigo Tejeda. It features a cast of 24 actors and dancers.
“Aladdin” takes place in the fictional city of Agrabah and sees its love story unfold with a magic genie.
“Our dramaturgical mission for ‘Aladdin Dual Language Edition/Edición De Lenguaje Dual’ was to weave two languages into the plot while making sure that both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking audiences could follow the story,” said Ken Cerniglia, literary manager for Disney Theatrical Group, which first granted the Houston company rights to test a dual-language show. “We hewed closely to the text and structure of Disney’s ‘Aladdin JR.,’ adapted for the stage by Bryan Louiselle and Jim Luigs, but amplified the show with a new back story.”
A pay-what-you-can preview of the Casa 0101 production is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday.
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‘Aladdin Dual Language Edition’
Where: Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. 1st St., Los Angeles
When: 8 p.m. Fridays; 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Sundays; ends Feb. 19
Tickets: $30 general admission, $25 students and seniors, $20 Boyle Heights residents with ID
Information: (323) 263-7684, www.casa0101.org
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