I was a huge fan of James in Memphis, he grew up right around me, everyone who does theater around here knows him, and he seems like a great guy, but is anyone just not a fan of his portrayal as Genie (especially Friend Like Me)? He just seems very forced and cheesy to me, even if it is Disney.
I thought he made Aladdin, and gave a tour de force performance. He was the highlight of the show to me. Technically, he is finding a way to bring Robin Williams's energy/patter/ADD to the stage but still try to make it his own, which is a high wire act, but one that worked for me.
If you didn't like it, though, why create a negative thread about him? Can't you just not like it and just go on with your life? There are many things I don't like, but I can't give you links to all of the threads I then started about them...
If you didn't like it, though, why create a negative thread about him? Can't you just not like it and just go on with your life? There are many things I don't like, but I can't give you links to all of the threads I then started about them...
I was simply wondering if anyone thought the same, because it seems as if it's all acclaim. It wasn't meant to berate him.
Rather he's awful or not he has the TONY at his home somewhere on the fireplace or coffee table. Now I have no problem with people judging performances IF they can do equally or better than that of the person giving it. Now is your critique based on the "Robin Williams" adaptation or the original Cab Calloway version which is the one he's actually doing?????
"If you didn't like it, though, why create a negative thread about him?"
Is the OP not allowed to share a different opinion than you? It's not a negative thread ( the OP obviously has great respect for James) He/she just didn't particularly care for his performance. I see nothing wrong with this thread.
Now is your critique based on the "Robin Williams" adaptation or the original Cab Calloway version which is the one he's actually doing?????
Not sure where you're coming from -- Cab never originated the role of the Genie, JMI simply emulated the style for which he was known for. That being said, I am familiar with Cab's work, and I don't believe he does him justice. Cab was smooth, and while energetic, retained a collectiveness about him.
What he's referring to is that the original incarnation of Aladdin, before the final Disney film was released, was styled after the jazz musical comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, with Aladdin and his three friends (who were restored, along with their music) as a Bob Hope/Rat Pack comedy and singing group. In this incarnation, the Genie was styled after Cab Calloway, especially his Rotoscoped appearances as a ghost or genie in the Betty Boop cartoons.
The stage version of Aladdin is a fusion of the original draft and final Disney version of the Menken-Ashman musical, and because Robin Williams is impossible to emulate by anyone other than Williams, the stage Genie is drawn more from the original inspiration.
Broadwaystar2, by your logic, am I right to assume that every critic working in New York is at least as talented if not more talented than every actor to whom they've given negative reviews?
"Is the OP not allowed to share a different opinion than you?"
Where did I suggest that? I can question something and not be against it existing at the same time.
I just think it would be fine in any of the Aladdin threads, without calling an actor out by name in the subject.
Also, if other people have a different reaction to something, it doesn't mean they fell victim to the hype. It suggests the OP was able to find the truth, whereas everyone else just fell for the hype.
"I just think it would be fine in any of the Aladdin threads, without calling an actor out by name in the subject. "
By this logic, there would be no threads about specific individual performances in a production, or only ones if they are positive about a performer? Can't see that happening around here.
I'd like to see John Tracey Egan take on this role at some point. the idea of an African American Actor as the Servant of the Lamp makes me nervous.
The production team is obviously set on an African-American genie -- JMI mentioned in an interview that "they auditioned every brotha in New York but me".
The performance itself was extremely energetic and contagious (and actually dulled the rest of the performance down for me). What I really got annoyed by, however, were the modern reference in Friend Like Me. I found no fault in his actual performance though! He seems like an awesome person. I'm not sure I could deal with that much energy from a single person in real life, but that's just me.
Saw aladdin way too many times (cause this would be the first choice for my visiting friends and family to choose only one broadway show, it used to be The Lion King)
saw it with the understudies of Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie. (Not at the same time)
James was definitely the highlight of the show. (Also Courtney)
Here's what I thought about Genie & Jasmine's understudies (Michael and Lauryn)
They are perfect, by the book. They are vocally perfect and make less mistakes than James and Courtney. But they both lack charisma (which is exploding from James and Courtney) so I understand why James and Courney were cast and I also understand perfectionist would prefer the understudies because charisma and soul is personal preferences and very subjective.
I know a lot of people didnt like the fact that James is always so visibly exhausted during friends like me And a lot say that Courtney is not strong vocally. But they both have amazing presence and charisma!!! So I felt like everytime I go see the show and they are out, I would feel bad for my family and friends..
And yes, for me it was that bad, my opinion, Michael and Lauryn are amazing performers but they are not memorable, it felt like I was at a table reading at some point. I don't know if understudies are supposed to be a carbon copy but those two were like robots with no soul.
I'm with you. I never really got the over the top adulation for this performance. Like you said he seems like a nice guy, and from everything that I've heard that's true, and he certainly works his butt off in the show….but at the end of the day I was kind of underwhelmed. He's obviously super talented, but I just didn't think that performance was in the same league as say Danny Burstien in CABARET.
'Don't be disingenuous. Of course it's a negative thread.
It's a completely negative thread, akin to the childish threads started by mean-spirited teenagers wishing that a show will close.
I can't wait until school starts up again and the brainless babies who start these nasty threads leave again.'
How am I a nasty mean spirited teenager if I simply don't like a performance? Do we now live in such a PC world that everyone needs to be coddled and told they're a star?
I think his performance is amazing, but still could not get the voice of Robin Williams out of my head - you will either buy into his performance on stage (and love the ride) or probably go, "He's no Robin Williams"
At the end of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, as I was picking my jaw up off the floor, the woman next to me turned to her husband and said "That was RIDICULOUS! She didn't sound a THING like Billie Holiday!"
Artistry is subjective, dependent on the receiver. "Best" awards are meaningless fun. There will never be a complete consensus on anything.
You didn't enjoy a generally well-received performance. Are you crazy? Of course not. There's nothing even remotely unusual or special about the situation you've found yourself in. So what is your point in asking?