That’s It Mommy was invited to check out the opening of a very special limited presentation of Disney’s animated classic Aladdin at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. To kick off this month’s run of the family favorite, the theater hosted an amazing opportunity for one lucky fan to perform ‘A Whole New World’ with Aladdin singing voice Brad Kane. With prelim rounds taking place earlier in the day at the theater, a handful off Jasmine hopefuls were able to audition to the crowd and Brad for the honor to duet the classic Disney ballad. After the clap-o-meter determined who would get to perform (Everyone was so great!), we got so see one lucky fan live out the dream of being a Disney Princess. It was such a treat especially to see an original cast member share that moment with a talented fan. And then, the movie itself was intro’d by a lively genie performance and confetti canon. Once the pre-show was over we got to enjoy our bucket of popcorn and coke zero as the big screen was filled with the feature presentation.
Sitting there, it suddenly occurred to me that this was the first time I was seeing my second favorite Fairytale classic in a theater. Yes, I’m dating myself here, I was just a toddler when the film came out and my only experience of it had been at home on VHS. So I’m young but not that young, before DVD young. I had one of those chunky white storybook VHS cases of Aladdin, with the color on the tape fading after vigorous rewindings from my car shaped rewinding machine. Remember the pain of wanting to see a movie and then realizing that you hadn’t rewinded it since the last viewing?
Thank goodness that’s no longer an issue especially with the re-release of Blu-Ray of the film that’s coinciding with the El Cap engagement. So sitting in the theater, I just kept thinking how colorful and vibrant everything was, the scenery, the lack of screen fuzz. It was like a whole new world opened up to me. The sound quality was great and just getting to see it with adults and kids was an experience like no other. I feel that Disney movies being screened in theaters are some of the most difficult to abide theater going rules with because for the most part fans can’t help to sing along or recite their lines–like Genie’s.
“10,000 years can give you such a crick in the neck!” -Genie, voiced by the late great Robin Williams.
Something truly touching was that when the Genie was introduced and performed ‘Friend like me’, the audience honored Robin Williams with a round of applause. I’m getting emotional thinking about it. His spirit was definitely present and felt by everyone who attended. It was wonderful to share that moment with fellow fans who also have mourned his loss. It was also very alleviating to remember him while watching the film at his most iconic: being the friend everyone wanted to have growing up.
To experience Aladdin on the big screen is to feel like you’re even closer to the action. The Cave of Wonders is still absolutely terrifying, Jafar is as sleezy as ever, the musical numbers make you wanna dance, you root for Aladdin to prove himself worthy of Princess Jasmine not through lies but by just being himself and it ends with you just wanting to relive it all over again.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area this month, you must go see Aladdin at the El Capitan Theatre. Dates run until October 4th. For more information and tickets visit:
