Sherri Shepherd to play first female Genie in Broadway ‘Aladdin’

Sherri Shepherd is set to make Broadway history as the first woman to play the Genie in any Disney-produced stage adaptation of ‘Aladdin’. The actress and comedian will begin her limited engagement at the New Amsterdam Theatre on October 16, with performances scheduled to continue through January 3, 2027.

Shepherd, known for her work as a talk show host and actress, expressed that joining the production is ‘an absolute dream come true’. While the casting has drawn mixed reactions on social media, including some criticism regarding the departure from traditional portrayals, producers at Disney Theatrical Group stated that Shepherd’s ‘authentic, brilliant comic energy’ makes her a perfect fit for the role.

Caleb A. Barnett, the current Genie, will remain with the production as a standby during Shepherd’s run. The Broadway production of ‘Aladdin’ has been running for 12 years.