Aladdin Central Messageboard

Calluna · Last edited by Calluna on Sun Aug 07, 2011 7:25 am; edited 1 time in total

According to Broadway World, auditions for the new Aladdin stage musical are today, and three of the parts they are auditioning are Babkak, Omar, and Kassim!

Babkak, Omar, and Kassim are three characters that appeared in the original treatment Howard Ashman wrote for Aladdin in 1988; they're three friends of Aladdin's and fellow streetrats:

Calluna · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:59 am Post subject:

I just realized something: if they bring these characters back, won't they have to change the lyrics of "One Jump Ahead"? Aladdin won't be able to say "you're my only friend, Abu" Laughing

_________________
"If only I could believe you. Perhaps I can! After all... you do bear the name of a flower." -- Arbutus

Chris · Sultan Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 337 Location: UK

Well they cut Abu from the Musical Spectacular and changed the lyrics to "I could use a friend or two", but that wouldn't work for the same reason.

Alan Menken did say in one interview that he and Chad Beguelin had done some new lyrics, so it's safe to assume that some songs will have had changes made.

Calluna · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:54 pm Post subject:

Hmm, I don't see Abu on that casting list; maybe he's not in this show either? I'm surprised they'd cut a popular character like that. But then I guess Abu was created in the first place to replace BO&K?
_________________
"If only I could believe you. Perhaps I can! After all... you do bear the name of a flower." -- Arbutus

Chris · Sultan Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 337 Location: UK

I'm assuming your right, but I don't remember ever reading or hearing that officially.

I know Music Behind the Magic said that One Jump Ahead was designed to replace Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim, so it will be interesting to see how they fit both songs into the show. I'm guessing OJA first as the intro for Aladdin, then BOAK soon after to introduce his friends.