Aladdin at the El Capitan Theatre!

Aladdin is one of the event Disney movies so this made me buy a ticket to the El Capitan Theatre since they have special events.  So I signed up the moment tickets were on sale.  It was an 8:20 p.m. showing which was unusual because 6 p.m. was the usual time for the fan event.  I went down to the theater, the orchestra seating line was to the right, past the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio.  I realized that audience members were exiting the theater from the 6 p.m. showing.  They carried a poster and other items, but didn’t seem happy.  This didn’t seem to be an option when I went to theater’s website.  There were two photo ops and once I entered it seemed like people were everywhere.  A line went to concessions, to get the VIP popcorn and drink, and of course going to find seats.  I went down to the basement which has the costume and props.  

Cave of Wonders photo op, El Capitan Theatre, photo by the author.

There were two walls; on the left was the props from the film; props from Jafar’s Study; a black bag and pouch, and books, Jafar’s Lamp, the Magic Lamp which had treasure form the Cave of Wonders, Jasmine’s Bedroom props; two dishes and a pillow, Jasmine’s Brooch, and maps.  On the other side were the costumes used in the movie and designed by Michael Wilkinson.  The first room on the right had the Genie’s outfit worn by Wil Smith with areen shirt, gold belt, purple coat, necklaces, and the gold bracelets which are more elaborate than the simple gold bracelets in the animated film.  This is the human form that the Genie takes, but misses the aqua blue turban (apparently Will Smith acquired it).  Facing the Genie is the Prince Ali robes that Mena Massoud wears for the movie.  It has the white turban and feather and white robes with gold stripes and belt.  I would have liked the oufit Aladdin wears as a thief; the red vest, white shirt, cap, and pouch with shoulder strap.  

Genie costume, photo by the author.

The center room has the Magic Carpet prop, it is in blue with more elaborate designs including the tigers in gold medallions instead of the purple cloth with gold statue heads and red fire in the original.  In the last room is the royalty of Agrabah.  On the far right is the costume of Navid Negahban’s Sultan.  His robes have the red trim, gold belt, and turban with jade piece and feather.  Naomi Scott’s Jasmine dress has the cool blue (it’s looks green in person) color of the original, but is more elaborate, she has a gold crown with cool green in the panels (not at the exhibit), in the original the princess had a headband with blue crystal.  The animated film also had massive gold earrings and a thick gold necklace.  Jasmine’s movie costume has a thin gold necklace, her outfit is more reserved ending in a pointed gold colored bottom that reaches her navel instead of the original’s top that exposes her stomach.  There is also a pattern of designs in gold more befitting a princess.  I also liked that Jasmine has several dresses instead of one.  

Jasmine's dress, photo by the author.

The Jafar costume worn by Marwan Kenzari is also interesting.  It has a more rounded turban than the pointed hat, also his black robe ends with flaring points.  The movie costume has a collar and gold plating and a black cape.  The red robes also reflect the animated movie, but he also has interior gold in the robes.  The turban also has the ruby crystal and red feather.  There is also the staff prop.  The cartoon staff is gold ending in the shape of a cobra.  The movie has snake scales and a jade pattern down the throat.  The first photo op is when you enter the lobby.  In front of the Aladdin at El Capitan Theatre backdrop, there is rock pedistal with the Magic Lamp.  The line is to the right and extends to the stairs.  You rub the lamp and there is a blue light and smoke appears!  The other photo op is the Cave of Wonders.  

Magic Carpet, photo by the author.

This was actually difficult to find, but eventually I figured out it was to the left of the orchestra area.  The queue leads to the left of the theater and back stage.  You are led across the stage past the organ and eventually to the Cave of Wonders which has two massive cobra statues with red eyes.  The cast members were very patient directing impatient guests.  Unique to the theatre was a large metal popcorn tub which is separate from the VIP ticket and a large cup that has a topper that has the Magic Lamp.  Unfortunately, the lid is not tight, so I would recommend only filling the cup with half way so it will not spill.  The poster and soundtrack download were only for the fan event 6 p.m. screening so essentially I could have gone any day to get the same opportunities.  Still, I enjoyed the film so much I came out smiling.  I hope can get a chance to see Aladdin at the El Capitan Theatre!  

#Aladdin, #ElCapitanThtre, #MagicLamp, #CaveofWonders