The former View co-host stepped into Aladdin on Oct. 16 as the first woman to play the Genie in a Disney production of the show. She’s granting wishes at the New Amsterdam through Jan. 3.
The Genie has a new look on Broadway, and a big first to go with it.
Sherri Shepherd took over the role of the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway on Friday, Oct. 16, WDW News Today reported. She’s the first woman to play the part in any Disney-produced version of the show, according to Broadway News.
She’ll play the Genie at the New Amsterdam Theatre through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027.
Oprah Daily shared the first image of Shepherd in costume. She wears the same blue velvet suit with a red belt and gold details as the Genies before her, plus a big ponytail, gold eyeshadow and gold hoop earrings, WDWNT said.
Here’s a look back at five of the show’s earlier Genies, from Disney On Broadway:
What did Sherri Shepherd say about playing the Genie?
She’s thrilled. “Joining Aladdin on Broadway is an absolute dream come true,” Shepherd said in a statement when Disney announced the casting in September.
“The Genie is such an iconic character, and I’m beyond excited to bring my own energy, humor, heart and a little bit of magic to this role,” she added.
She knows what the moment means, too. “To step on that stage as the first woman to ever play the Genie is something I don’t take lightly,” Shepherd said, according to WDW News Today. “I’m ready to rub the lamp, unleash some magic, and have the time of my life on Broadway.”
Who did Sherri Shepherd replace as the Genie?
Caleb A. Barnett, who stays with the show as the Genie’s standby, Broadway News reported. Michael James Scott, the show’s longest-running Genie, stepped down earlier this year, according to WDWNT.
Disney Theatrical Group’s Andrew Flatt and Anne Quart praised the pick in a joint statement. They said Shepherd “has represented delight, wit, and loving good humor, making her the perfect entertainer to play the life force that is the Genie.”
Has Sherri Shepherd been on Broadway before?
Yes. She made her Broadway debut in 2013 as Madame, the evil stepmother, in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Broadway News said.
Most people know her from TV, though. She co-hosted The View, where she won a Daytime Emmy, and later got her own daytime talk show, Sherri. She’s also turned up in 30 Rock, Trial and Error and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
So she’s used to a live crowd. This one just sings back.
Who else is in Aladdin on Broadway right now?
Rodney Ingram plays Aladdin, Sonya Balsara plays Jasmine and Dennis Stowe plays Jafar, according to Broadway News.
The show is based on Disney’s 1992 animated movie, where Robin Williams voiced the Genie. Will Smith took the part in the 2019 live-action remake.
On stage, Alan Menken wrote the music, with lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin. Beguelin also wrote the book. Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs, Broadway News said.
How long has Aladdin been on Broadway?
Since March 20, 2014, at the New Amsterdam Theatre, WDWNT noted. That’s more than 12 years of flying carpets in Times Square.
James Monroe Iglehart originated the Genie on Broadway and won a Tony Award for the role in 2014.
The show’s giant magic lamp even took a trip to Florida this year. It was on display at EPCOT during the Festival of the Arts, according to WDWNT.
How do you get tickets to see Sherri Shepherd in Aladdin?
Tickets are on sale at AladdinTheMusical.com. Her run ends Jan. 3, so a holiday trip to New York is the window if you want to catch her.
That’s about 11 weeks of shows. Plan ahead, since the holidays are a busy time on Broadway and the big family musicals tend to sell fast.
Will another woman play the Genie after Sherri Shepherd?
Disney hasn’t said. For now, Shepherd is the first, and she’s ready to make the most of it.
Three wishes is the standard deal. She already got one.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
WDW News Today, Shannen Ace (Oct. 16, 2026), the debut, the costume and Shepherd’s statement
Broadway News (Sept. 8, 2026), the casting, the run, Disney Theatrical’s statement and the cast
Oprah Daily, the first costume image
Disney On Broadway on YouTube (March 31, 2019), the Genie medley
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