.png)
Though the play is called “Aladdin,” it’s safe to say we all know who the show is really about. He’s the charismatic force of the story, without whom Aladdin would still be a scroungy street rat struggling to figure himself out. Sure, Aladdin possessed the pluckiness to seize his destiny, but without the Genie, he wouldn’t have gotten far in Agrabah.
Therefore, it’s essential for a production of “Aladdin” to find someone with sufficient gravitas and grandiosity to fit the part. Everyone born in the 90s recalls with fondness the original Disney Genie, played by the legendary Robin Williams. Newer Disney generations remember the equallyengaging yet more vulnerable Genie played by Will Smith.
Into this tradition follows Korie Lee Blossey, a man who embraces the role of the Genie as though he were born to play it.
Jasmine, played by Kaena Kekoa, explores Agrabah on her own outside the palace walls.
Blossey, who became the full-time Genie for Broadway Across America’s touring show of “Aladdin” on Sept. 10, described his journey to this particular stage as an alignment of the stars.
“I was doing ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ in Brooklyn,” Blossey said. “The last show of the run fell on the night of the Tony’s. The whole time I was watching (the Tony’s), I was thinking, ‘I have to play this role.’ At the same time, people were texting me and saying, ‘I see you on TV,’ and I said, ‘That's not me, but I’m working on it.’”
Thus inspired, Blossey enrolled in audition and agent classes. He snagged an agent and sent a video audition to the show’s casting department. They liked what they saw and invited Blossey to join Genie camp: A workshop of 12 actors who looked like the Genie.
“Together we learned the tracks and choreo,” Blossey said. His preparation paid off because after a few days, his agent contacted him with an offer to play the Genie on standby.
“I didn’t even know what that was,” Blossey admitted. “Standby was one of the greatest ways to learn a track. You can do the choreography in the hallway or the dressing room, so that when you are called to do it, you’re in tiptop shape. Every time I went on stage, I thought, ‘Make them want you to be the Genie. Whenever this role is available, it’s yours!’”
And it worked. When the role of the Genie opened in July, the director thought Blossey was the perfect fit.
Blossy, with gusto and gravitas sings "Friend Like Me."
Though Blossey describes his experience with the touring company as “magical,” he also doesn’t discount the hard work and preparation he’s put into the role before and after he scored it.
“One of the hardest morals of ‘Aladdin’ is something I’ve adapted in real life,” Blossey said. “It’s a profound realization I wish I’d known earlier. You don’t need a lamp. You don’t need magic. You just need to believe in yourself. You have to put in the work. When you understand that, you’re unstoppable.”
With identical enthusiasm, Blossey went on to describe his fellow castmates and the show itself, illuminating the differences between the live-action and animated versions of “Aladdin” from stage production.
“It’s spectacular,” Blossey beamed. “It’s a great date night: One night in Agrabah, one where, everywhere I look, I’m going to see a great story.” He pointed out that with the play, the actors have the opportunity to explore the characters with more depth than on screen.
“Especially with Jasmine and her dad,” Blossey said. “We get to see the life he wants for her. Every young person has been through that, and they can actually see he wants the best for her. In ‘Aladdin,’ you see what happens when you give someone the opportunity to know the real you. Then you wrap it up with these great songs everyone remembers, plus the fireworks, the magic. You understand Aladdin and his street rats, running amok in the marketplace. You get to see into their world. It’s always a great time,” Blossey said. “We always want to keep you on your toes.”
Kaena Kekoa as Jasmine and Jonah Ho'okano as Aladdin.
Disney’s “Aladdin” plays Wednesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 22 at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin. Tuesday - Friday performances are at 8 p.m., with a special matinee showing on March 12 at 1 p.m. Showings on Saturday will be at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday showings will be at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at BroadwayinAustin.com, texasperformingarts. org, the Bass Concert Hall ticket office, all Texas Box Office Outlets and by phone at 512-477-6060.
