DREAM CAST ANNOUNCED
FOR DISNEY’S ALADDINAn exceptional group of Australia and New Zealand’s most outstanding musical theatre performers and exciting fresh faces has beenannounced for Disney’s new musical comedy, Aladdin.
They will be joined by Broadway performer Michael James Scott in the role of the Genie.
Based on the classic Academy Award®-winning animated film, Aladdin will open in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre in August 2016.
Tickets go on sale to the GP 8th March 2016.
The dream cast for Aladdin has been achieved after intense and competitive auditions throughout Australia. It will be one of the mostdiverse multi-cultural casts to appear on the Australian stage.
American performer Michael James Scott will play the pivotal role of the Genie. Michael has performed in many Broadway shows
including the original company of The Book of Mormon, the 2010 Broadway and London revival of Hair, as well as the standby Genie in
the original Broadway cast of Aladdin. He was most recently seen in Casey Nicholaw’s third current Broadway hit, Something Rotten.
Joining him will be the exciting new discovery Ainsley Melham making his mainstage debut in the title role of Aladdin. Ainsley is a
graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
The principal cast features international musical theatre star Adam Jon Fiorentino (Saturday Night Fever, Mary Poppins) as Kassim,
stage & television performer Adam Murphy as Jafar and Robert Tripolino in the role of Omar. Filling out the principal ranks is one ofAustralia’s most accomplished character actors and musical theatre stars Troy Sussman as Babkak and stage and television actor Aljin
Abella as Iago.
The distinguished New Zealand actor George Henare will play the Sultan.
The search for the coveted role of Jasmine continues and casting will be announced at a later date.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken(Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty andthe 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, Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Tony Awardwinner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten).

©Disney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 magnificent score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack,and additional music and songs written especially for the stage.
Aladdin opened on Broadway to critical acclaim on March 20th, 2014. It quickly established itself as the biggest blockbuster in recent
years, already welcoming more than 1.2 million people and breaking house records at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
“FABULOUS AND EXTRAVAGANT WITH RELENTLESS RAZZLE DAZZLE” New York Times“DISNEY HITS MAGIC AGAIN” Associated Press“IT’S PURE GENIE-US!” USA Today
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.
The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song “A Whole New World,” which won the second of the film’s
two Academy Awards as Best Original Song. The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot
100 chart.
Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, five-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz,
two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.
The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette and makeup designer Milagros
Medina-Cerdeira. The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal andincidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.
To be first in line to buy tickets go to: www.aladdinthemusical.com.au

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Username: AladdinMedia | Password: AladdinInAus#aladdininaus #ILoveSydneywww.aladdinthemusical.com.au©DisneyP R I N C I PA L S
MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT

u

GENIE

Michael James Scott is best known for originating the role of Dr. Gotswana in The Book of Mormon. Most
recently, he originated the role of “The Minstrel” in the new Broadway hit Something Rotten and was seen
playing “The Blue Guy” as the original standby for “The Genie” in Aladdin on Broadway. Michael began his
theater career as the standby for his mentor, Ben Vereen, in the international tour of Fosse and eventually
taking over the role in Paris, France at The Théâtre du Châtelet. On London’s West End he was associatechoreographer and cast member for the revival of Hair. Additional Broadway credits include: Mamma
Mia!, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, Tarzan, Hair and Elf. Off-Broadway, he was featured in Here’s to Joe
opposite Donna McKechnie, and also part of the concert cast of Jerry Springer: The Opera at CarnegieHall. He’s a member of the critically acclaimed singing group The Broadway Boys and renown Broadway
Inspirational Voices and can be heard on numerous original Broadway Cast Albums and The BroadwayBoys debut Album Lullaby of Broadway. Outside New York, Michael has appeared in the original Las
Vegas cast of Jersey Boys as well as the re-conceived production of Shrek as the Donkey at The St. Louis
Muny and regionally in Aida, Ragtime, South Pacific and Cinderella. His numerous television and film
appearances include The Carrie Diaries (The WB), The View (ABC), The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon(NBC), The Late Show with Conan O’Brien (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), The Today Show (NBC)The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (CBS) and The TONY Awards (CBS). Tweetergram: @iamMJScottAINSLEY MELHAMu

ALADDIN

Born and raised in Bathurst, Ainsley trained in musical theatre at the Western Australian Academyof Performing Arts (WAAPA), graduating in 2012. He also studied at the NIDA Open Program, theAustralasian Tap Dance Academy and La Belle School of Dance. At WAAPA the singer/actor/dancer
appeared in a variety of musicals, including Ragtime, Violet, Crazy For You, A Chorus Line, How To
Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Into The Woods. Ainsley stars as Sonny Malone in
Xanadu for Matthew Management and Hayes Theatre Co this year. He was a cast member of Hi-5, having
appeared in its Australasian tours, the televised Hi-5 House Series and the documentary film Some Kind
Of Wonderful.

ADAM MURPHY

u

JAFAR

Having trained at the University of South Australia in screen arts, English and drama, Adam is one ofAustralia’s most versatile performers in theatre and television. His credits are extensive, including Mary
Poppins, The Drowsy Chaperone, Les Misèrables, Mamma Mia!, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on
Stage and, most recently, the role of Ron Edgeworth in the world premiere of Georgy Girl – The Seekers
Musical. For many years Adam has been a regular guest artist for The Production Company in Melbourne,
including the musicals Guys and Dolls, The Pirates of Penzance, Carousel, 42nd Street and Crazy For You.
Television credits include the series Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Halifax f.p, Utopia, House Husbands andCity Homicide.

ALJIN ABELLA

u

IAGO

A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Aljin made his mainstage debut in the awardwinning Australian musical The Sapphires, directed by Wesley Enoch for MTC/Company B Belvoir/Black
Swan Theatre Company (2004). Aljin reprised the role in the subsequent London and South Korean tours,
under the direction of Neil Armfield (2011). He won acclaim in the role of Monkey in Monkey: Journey tothe West for Theatre of Image, directed by John Bell (2014). Selected television credits include Netflix’s
Marco Polo, Power Rangers Jungle Fury and The Doctor Blake Mysteries. He is also the co-lead in the web
series Hunter n Hornet, where he was nominated for both an IAWTV and Raindance Independent SeriesAward. He played Jacob in La Cage Aux Folles for The Production Company (earning him a Green Roomnomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical) in 2014 and Luke in director Dean Bryant’s version ofAnything Goes for Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation (2015).

©Disney

GEORGE HENAREu

SULTAN

George has a distinguished career in theatre, television and film spanning more than 40 years. Born andraised in New Zealand, the prolific actor has featured in numerous films, television series and productions,
including Xena: Warrior Princess, The Lost World, Outrageous Fortune and Stolen. George is perhaps best
known for his role as Bennett in the acclaimed film, Once Were Warriors. George turned to the theatre in
his late teens after working as a postman and trainee teacher. He abandoned teaching after a successful
audition with the New Zealand Opera Company where he sang in the chorus in productions such as
Porgy and Bess and il Trovatore. George’s wide-ranging theatre credits include: Willy Loman in Death of
A Salesman, Frank’n’Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Al Fieri in View From The Bridge, Hoke Colburnin Driving Miss Daisy, Juan Perón in Evita, Fagin in Oliver! and The King in The King and I. George wasawarded an OBE for services to the Acting Industry in 1988 and a CNZM in 2010.

ADAM JON FIORENTINOu

KASSIM

Born and raised in Melbourne, Adam has forged a luminous international career on the musical stage.
He played the role of Bert in Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam on Broadway and won a legion offans on London’s West End when he starred as Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. Adam featured asYoung Ben in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies at the London Palladium. At the start of Adam’s career he wasin the ensemble of the hugely successful Australian musical The Boy From Oz, about the life and career ofshowman Peter Allen. Adam played Chuck in Footloose – The Musical for GFO-SEL at the Capitol Theatre,
Sydney. Adam’s television credits include the roles of Simon in All My Children (ABC-United States) andMatthew in 30 Rock.

TROY SUSSMANuBABKAK

Troy is one of Australia’s finest character actors in musical theatre, beginning his professional career in 1989
in the Australian premiere production of Les Misèrables. He featured in the 2000 film of South Pacific andin 2001 he played Kleirman in Mack & Mabel, starring Caroline O’Connor. Troy’s versatility and commandhas been evident in numerous roles including Woof in Hair and Fakir in The Secret Garden. Theatre credits
include: The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Guys & Dolls, Sweet Charity, Mame, Pirates of Penzanceand La Cage Aux Folles for The Production Company, Witches of Eastwick (Jacobsen Entertainment), We
Will Rock You, The Drowsy Chaperone for Melbourne Theatre Company in 2010 and the Australian premiere
production of Mary Poppins for Cameron Mackintosh/Disney Theatrical. In 2012 Troy appeared in A Funny
Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, starring Geoffrey Rush (GFO). Most recently Troy played theroles of Buddy Fidler/Irwin S. Irving in City of Angels to great acclaim for Life Like Company in Melbourne.

ROBERT TRIPOLINO

u

OMAR

Robert graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in 2011 after training at the Sandra ClackBallet Centre in Geelong. Robert has performed in a number of professional productions since graduating,including the role of Dan in Ned – An Ordinary Man. An Extraordinary Legend in Bendigo, Jean-Michel in
La Cage Aux Folles (The Production Company), as well as The Addams Family (Newtheatricals), A Funny
Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, starring Geoffrey Rush (GFO) and The Pirates of Penzance(The Production Company). A talented musician Robert has composed the score for Guilty Pleasures, andDreamSong which was part of the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Most recently Robertappeared as BJ in the series Upper Middle Bogan (ABC-TV) and played Chino in West Side Story (The
Production Company, 2015).

©DisneyDEAN VINCEu

STANDBY JAFAR/SULTAN

A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of the Arts (WAAPA), Dean made his professional
stage debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats, in the roles of Plato/Macavity. He appeared in theAustralian premiere production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage in 2004 and featured in theensemble of Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Musical, directed by Simon Phillips. The singer, dancer
and actor consolidated his reputation as a vibrant all-rounder in such productions as Chicago, Love
Never Dies and The Venetian Twins, and in Promises! Promises!, Chess, Showboat and West Side Storyfor The Production Company in Melbourne. For Harvest Rain in Brisbane, Dean appeared in The Pirates
of Penzance and, most recently, Into The Woods, alongside Rhonda Burchmore, Rachael Beck and Eddie
Perfect at the Concert Hall, QPAC.

GARETH JACOBSuSTANDBY GENIE/BABKAK

Gareth trained in musical theatre at the University of Ballarat (BAPA) in Victoria, graduating in 2003. He
honed his skills as a singer, actor and dancer on the high seas as lead vocalist and vocal captain for Royal
Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. While studying at BAPA, Gareth appeared in the musicals
Pal Joey, Kiss Me Kate and Company. In 2010 he was a Top 24 contestant on The X Factor – Australia(Fremantle Media) and, most recently, played the role of Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls for StageArt, directedby Terence O’Connell.

ENSEMBLEJAKOB AMBROSE
Jakob is a 2011 music theatre graduate from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
(WAAPA). Jakob made his mainstage debut in A Chorus Line for TML Enterprises in 2012, was in the castof The Addams Family (Newtheatricals), then toured in Cats to Seoul, Korea, playing Alonzo. Jakob was acast member in the Hayes Theatre production of Sweet Charity, directed by Dean Bryant and in 2015 heplayed Kurt/Kurt’s Dad in the musical Heathers, directed by Trevor Ashley.

CALEB BARTOLO

Caleb was featured as a guest soloist on So You Think You Can Dance Season 1 before training in
Melbourne at Ministry of Dance. He made his mainstage debut playing Pouncival in Cats (2008-11) for
Really Useful Group and was a soloist for MOD Dance Company. Caleb was in the ensemble of Disney’s
The Lion King (2013-16).

DION BILIOS
Dion is a dynamic musical theatre performer whose vocal range and charisma brought him to prominence
as Mark in the Australian production of Altar Boys, Frankie Valli in the Aust/NZ touring production of
Jersey Boys for New Theatricals/Dainty and in 2014-15 played Rory West in Strictly Ballroom (Global
Creatures/Bazmark). Dion has performed in a variety of shows, including Mary Poppins (Disney), Wicked(GFO) and the upcoming production of Xanadu for Matthew Management and Hayes Theatre Co.

©DisneyMAX BIMBI
In 2014 Max graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with roles
including Jimmy Harper in Reefer Madness and A-Rab in West Side Story. In his final year, Max received
the inaugural Jackman Furness Foundation Award for his cabaret The Way We Were. Max made his
mainstage debut in 2015 in West Side Story for The Production Company in Melbourne.

DANIEL CAMILLERI
Daniel trained as a dancer, singer and actor at Brent Street Studios and the National Music School in
Melbourne. He featured in the Bollywood film Dhoom 3 and has appeared on stage in the Production
Company’s Kismet, Bonnie Lythgoe’s Snow White as well as numerous television and live concert
performances throughout Australia. Daniel featured in performances on X Factor Live as a supporting
dancer for Dannii Minogue, Samantha Jade, Red Foo and Guy Sebastian.

WILL CENTURION
Will studied acting with the Young Actors studio (NIDA) and dance at Brent Street Performing Arts andDance World 301. He was dance captain on Disney’s AIDA (Germany) and We Will Rock You (Switzerland).
Will has performed the roles of Double J in Saturday Night Fever, Al DeLuca in A Chorus Line, Pepe inWest Side Story, Taji in the world premiere production of King Kong Live on Stage, and Simon Legris/dance captain in The King and I. He also played Banzai in Disney’s The Lion King in 2015.

ROSS CHISARI
A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Ross played Willie Lopez
in Ghost - The Musical for Ambassador Theatre Group (2016). In 2015 he featured on ABC-TV’s SaturdayNight Crack Up, played Indio in West Side Story for The Production Company and choreographed andstarred alongside Tony Sheldon in Man of La Mancha for Squabbalogic Independent Theatre Company.
Theatre credits include: Carrie The Musical for Ghostlight Productions, the new Australian musical
Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You for Neil Gooding Productions and The Drowsy Chaperone also for
Squabbalogic.

MIA DABKOWSKI-CHANDLER
Mia is a fine arts and music theatre graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts (2015). Whilst at the
VCA, Mia appeared as Kate in The Wild Party, as well as L’il Abner, directed by Martin Croft, Urinetown(dance captain), and 42nd Street. She also played the role of Tess in the short film The Fall of Eve. Mia
studied dance at Patrick Studios Australia and continues to study voice with Gary May.

©DisneyNICHOLAS EATON
Nicholas is a versatile singer and dancer adept in all styles of dance. For The Production Company heperformed in Singin’ In The Rain, The Boyfriend and Nice Work If You Can Get It. Nicholas has also
appeared in Cats, Mary Poppins, War Horse, The Rocky Horror Show, South Pacific, Ultimate Broadway,and currently he is touring Australia as dance captain on Ghost – The Musical.

MITCHELL FISTROVIC
Born and raised in Melbourne, Mitchell as a dancer and singer has appeared on stage and television innumerous musicals, concerts and award ceremonies. Mitchell appeared in the ensemble of Hugh Jackman– Broadway to Oz and in the musicals Strictly Ballroom for Global Creatures/Bazmark, Wicked (GFO),
Neleus in Mary Poppins (Disney/Cameron Mackintosh) and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Production
Company). As a dancer, Mitchell has worked with Jessica Mauboy, Vanessa Amorosi, The Black Eyed Peasand Australia’s Got Talent.

ALEX GIBSON-GIORGIOAlex graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in 2014. While at VCA, he performed theroles of Judd Fry in Oklahoma!, Harold Slocum in Summer Rain and Marryin’ Sam in ‘Lil’ Abner’ directedby Martin Croft, and was the recipient of the Ron and Margaret Dobell Award. Alex made his professional
debut as part of the ensemble of Anything Goes for Opera Australia/GFO and is currently performing in
the world premiere production of Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical.

CHASKA HALLIDAY
Trained in singing and dancing at the Brent Street Studios, Chaska has featured in a variety of stage
productions, TV shows and music videos including Beyonce’s Mine. Chaska was a top ten finalist on The
X-Factor as a part of girl group XOX. She has appeared in Young Talent Time (2012) and in the feature film
The Sapphires. She has recently returned from a worldwide tour of new cabaret/burlesque show Velvet
featuring Marcia Hines.

JOEL HEWLETT
Joel trained in dance, acting and singing at Norris Dance & Performing Arts Studio in New Zealand. He
made his Australian mainstage debut in David Atkins’ re-imagined production of Hairspray in 2010-2011.
Joel understudied several roles in A Chorus Line in 2011-2012 then played the role of Seaweed in Hairspray
and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar in his hometown, Hamilton NZ.

©DisneyMITCHELL HICKS
Mitchell trained in all aspects of performance with Glenda Yee. His theatrical credits include; young Peter
Allen in the original Australian musical The Boy From Oz (1999), Sammy in Jolson (2001), Young Don
in Singin’ in the Rain (2002), The Kid in Tap Dogs (2005), Ensemble in The Boy From Oz starring HughJackman (2006), IQ in Hairspray (2001), Roy in A Chorus Line (2012), Wing in the 2013 revival of Hot
Shoe Shuffle, Ensemble in Guys and Dolls (2014), Swing/Ensemble in Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story
On Stage (2015) and dance captain for Heathers (2016). He also worked as a motion capture performer inHappy Feet 2 directed by George Miller.

KIMBERLEY HODGSON
A graduate in musical theatre from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Kimberley gained
prominence in the new Australian concert drama Rolling Thunder Vietnam, in which she created andperformed the role of Sarah in 2014. In 2015 she was in the ensemble of the Sydney revival of Avenue Q.
For Harvest Rain in Brisbane, Kim has appeared in Cats - Arena Spectacular, Pirates of Penzance and Into
The Woods, in which she played Little Red Riding Hood.

LEAH HOWARD
Leah has worked extensively across the entertainment industry both creatively and as a performer.
She was Resident Director of Avenue Q in Seoul, Korea and of the most recent Australian tour of
The Rocky Horror Show (GFO). Leah played Mrs Corry in the Australian premiere production of Mary
Poppins and lit up the stage as Aretha in the comedy Legends! alongside Hayley and Juliet Mills (2015).
Other appearances include Hair, Fame the Musical, Dein Perry’s Steel City, Tap Dogs Rebooted and
Tap Dogs USA.

GRAEME ISAAKO
An accomplished singer, dancer, actor, Graeme made his mainstage debut in 2002 in Cameron
Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! in the role of Dipper. In 2008-09 he appeared in Simon Gallagher’s The
Mikado in the role of Nanki-Poo and, more recently, featured in the ensemble of Disney’s The Lion King inwhich he understudied Adult Simba. Graeme trained at Janice Breen Performance Studios and at Urban
Dance Centre. He appeared in the popular first season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

EMILY KEANE
An accomplished dancer and singer, Emily trained at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School(VCASS) and at Dance Factory. She played the role of Cassandra in the Asia/World Tour of Cats for Really
Useful Group in 2006-10 and again in Korea, New Zealand and Australia in 2014-15.

©DisneyMADELEINE MACKENZIE
A versatile singer, dancer and actor, Madeleine has featured in a number of new productions, including
the world premiere production of Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love
Never Dies, directed by Simon Phillips. Madeleine appeared in the ensembles of Mamma Mia!, Promises
Promises and Guys & Dolls – twice and played Kathy in Company at 45 Downstairs in 2015.

HEATHER MANLY
Heather graduated from the musical theatre course at the Western Australian Academy of Performing
Arts (WAAPA) in 2015. While at WAAPA, she appeared in the musicals Urinetown, directed by James
Miller, Legally Blonde, staged by Jason Langley and Carrie The Musical, directed by Crispin Taylor. Heather
will soon appear in the return season of RENT at the Hayes Theatre (Highway Run Productions).

RECHELLE MANSOUR
Rechelle is a dynamic dancer and singer who has appeared in numerous television performances andlive events, including the NRL Grand Final with Ricky Martin and Jessica Mauboy and as a regular danceron The X-Factor. Rechelle featured in the ensembles of the musical Annie for GFO and the Australianpremiere production of Billy Elliot (Louise Withers/Michael Coppel). More recently Rechelle performed in
the worldwide tour of the cabaret/burlesque show Velvet, directed by Craig Ilott.

JOSEPH O’SULLIVAN
Joseph is originally from Auckland, New Zealand. He moved to Melbourne at 17 to study at Dance World
Studios. He was a featured dancer in Big Band Beat at Disneyland Tokyo in 2009 and danced for Royal
Caribbean Cruises in 2010. He has performed in Magnormos’ Hello Dolly and Michael Ralph’s Now & Then.
Joseph was a Swing in the Asian and Australian tours of Wicked (GFO, 2011-15).

ANICA SCOTT-GARRELL
Anica began her dance training at Boston Ballet and holds a BFA in Dance from the Ailey/Fordham
program in New York. She has danced with Ailey II, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Franco
Dragone’s Le Reve in Las Vegas among other companies and projects. She’s appeared in Disney’s
The Lion King, as an ensemble member and Shenzi understudy.

©Disney