Disney’s Aladdin has announced that the London production will welcome new Genie Michael James Scott for six weeks this summer whilst Trevor Dion Nicholas travels Stateside to play the Genie in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
Trevor Dion Nicholas who has played the Genie since Disney’s Aladdin opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in London is to play the Genie is his hometown of Pittsburgh when the US tour visits there this Summer. In his place Michael James Scott, who is currently playing the Genie on the UK tour will play the Genie in London between 17 August – 30 September 2018.
This won’t be Michael James’ first appearance in the West End. Eight years ago he made his West End debut in the Broadway transfer of Hair at the Gielgud Theatre in 2010.
Michael James was a member of the original Broadway company of Aladdin in 2014 as standby Genie and Babkak, and originated the role of Genie in the Australian production when it opened in Sydney in 2016. Michael received a prestigious Helpmann Award in 2017 for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his work in the Australian tour. His numerous previous theatre roles include the original Broadway productions of Something Rotten!, The Book of Mormon, Elf – The Musical, The Pirate Queen, Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up and Tarzan. Michael has also appeared in Jersey Boys (Las Vegas), Aida (St. Louis) and the 2010 revival of Hair (Broadway and West End) and is also a member of the critically acclaimed group The Broadway Boys and the Grammy-nominated Broadway Inspirational Voices.
Michael James Scott said: “Playing this iconic role of Genie has taken me all over the world, something I never even dreamed of. My ‘Genie Brother’ Trevor Dion Nicholas has raved about his time in London, so to be a part of this awesome Genie swap and return to play the West End again is an enormous Genie-sized gift. I just can’t wait!”
Trevor Dion Nicholas said: “My time here in the West End has been absolutely incredible so far, and I am beyond proud to call London my new home. Still, being presented with the chance to perform this phenomenal show as Genie in Pittsburgh is something I cannot pass up. In a city so close to where I grew up, having an audience full of family and friends, is another dream come true. Michael James Scott is such a wonderful performer and friend to me, I know he and the London audiences will have an absolute blast with each other this summer!”
