Steel Burkhardt to join the Broadway company of Aladdin

It has been announced that Steel Burkhardt will join the Broadway company of Disney Theatrical's Broadway musical Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre in the role of 'Kassim'.

Burkhardt will begin performances on 22 December 2014, succeeding the role from Brandon O'Neill, who originated the role and will play his final performance on Sunday, 21 December 2014.

Aladdin, based on the Academy Award winning 1992 animated film, officially opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 20 March 2014, following previews from 26 February 2014. It is currently booking to 5 July 2015.

Burkhardt will join the current cast which includes Adam Jacobs as 'Aladdin', Courtney Reed as 'Jasmine,' James Monroe Iglehart as the 'Genie,' and Jonathan Freeman as'Jafar'.

A graduate from Baldwin Wallace, Steel Burkhardt was last seen on Broadway, as well as the West End, as Berger in 'Hair'. His off-Broadway credits include 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'Jukebox Jackie'. Regional appearances include 'Murder Ballad' (TUTS) and 'Guys and Dolls' (Great Lakes).

The show opened to generally positive reviews, with many critics praising the central performances as well as the staging by director Casey Nicholaw: "This is a wonderful adaptation filled with color, charm and loads of theatrical magic" (NY1); "The magic carpet flies smoothly and so does the rest of Aladdin" (Newsroom Jersey); "the show's ebullient comic spirit should make it a popular hit" (Hollywood Reporter).

The production went on to be nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Musical, with James Monroe Iglehart taking home the award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Aladdin features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin with a book by Beguelin. Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs.

- by Dom O'Hanlon