Big news out of the New Amsterdam Theatre, Disney fans! Emmy Award winning talk show host, comedian, and actress Sherri Shepherd is joining the cast of Aladdin on Broadway as the Genie for a limited run beginning Friday, October 16, 2026 and running through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
This is a genuinely historic moment. Shepherd becomes the first woman ever to play the Genie in the Broadway production, and she is ready to bring her own unforgettable energy to one of Disney’s most beloved characters.
“Joining Aladdin on Broadway is an absolute dream come true and an incredible honor,” said Shepherd. “The Genie is such an iconic character, and I am beyond excited to bring my own energy, humor, heart, and a little bit of magic to this role. I hope audiences see themselves in this Genie and leave the theater feeling so much joy and inspired to believe in the impossible. To step on that stage as the first woman to ever play the Genie is something I don’t take lightly. I’m ready to rub the lamp, unleash some magic, and have the time of my life on Broadway.”
Why Sherri Shepherd Is Perfect for This Role
If you have ever watched Sherri on her nationally syndicated talk show SHERRI, on The View, or in any of her many television and film appearances, you already know she brings a warmth and comedic brilliance that lights up any room. That energy is exactly what Disney Theatrical Group was looking for.
“Throughout her career, Sherri has represented delight, wit, and loving good humor, making her the perfect entertainer to play the life force that is the Genie,” said Managing Director Andrew Flatt and Executive Producer Anne Quart. “We can’t wait to see what happens when Sherri’s authentic, brilliant comic energy meets the joyous escape of Aladdin. Audiences are going to adore her take on this iconic role.”
Shepherd is no stranger to the stage either. She previously made history on Broadway as the first African American actress to portray the Evil Stepmother in Cinderella, and her theater credits also include the Off Broadway productions Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Joy Behar’s My First Ex Husband. She continues to tour as a stand up comedian to sold out audiences nationwide.
Beyond the stage, her television credits are extensive, spanning 30 Rock, Friends, Sex Lives of College Girls, HARLEM, Everybody Loves Raymond, and many more. On the film side she has appeared in Precious, Ride Along 2, Beauty Shop, and Tyler Perry’s STRAW. Her upcoming Lifetime film Angel in the Rubble premieres September 12.
A multiple NAACP Image Award winner and New York Times best selling author, Shepherd is also an advocate for inclusivity, representation, and children with special needs.
About Aladdin on Broadway
Aladdin opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014 and has become one of the biggest hits in Broadway history. Hailed by the New York Times as “fabulous and extravagant,” the production has set 17 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and has welcomed over 22 million guests across productions on four continents. It is currently running on Broadway and in Tokyo, Japan.
The show features music by Tony Award and eight time Oscar winner Alan Menken, with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, a book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by two time Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw. The animated film on which it is based was released by Disney in 1992 and won two Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for “A Whole New World.”
Current Genie Caleb A. Barnett will remain with the company as the Genie standby throughout Shepherd’s run.
How to Get Tickets
Aladdin plays at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit AladdinTheMusical.com.
This is one you will not want to miss!
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