The smash hit Broadway musical Aladdin makes its Montreal debut at Place des Arts on March 28, and the sterling cast includes veteran actor Sorab Wadia as the Sultan.
Adapted from the animated Disney film, Aladdin sweeps audiences into a world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. This new production features a full score, including the five songs from the Oscar-winning soundtrack. The North American tour performs eight performances at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier from March 28 to April 2.
Before becoming an actor in New York City, Wadia moved from India to America 23 years ago to pursue his university studies – earning two masters degrees in classical music and theatre – a journey that has seen the 53-year-old actor and classical pianist portray roles in London’s West End to guesting on such television shows as Law & Order SVU, 30 Rock and Chappelle’s Show.
Wadia and I recently sat down for a candid Q&A about his storied career, and talked about why Aladdin is the perfect feel-good play to see during these turbulent times.
What was it like for you to see the theatre locked down for so long during COVID, and how much of a relief is it to be back live onstage?
It was financially difficult but for me it was also a time of reflection. I went home to India because it was cheaper than staying in New York. And I loved being home. I live in India now. This was where I wanted to be during a lockdown. It was a time of reflection. I was also happy to get back to work. To be in rehearsals for a new play was also an affirmation.
Aladdin is such a feel-good story. Why is it an especially good time now to see this production?
When is it not a good time to have hope and joy and laughter? This musical uplifts your soul. And it is true, with so many world crises going on now, we need these moments of hope and love and laughter more than ever.
What was it like growing up gay in Bombay?
By the time I was five-years-old I knew I was different but growing up back then you didn’t come out at age 12 like so many young people do today. Growing up gay in Bombay was like a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” kind of thing. My guru growing up told me it was wrong to be gay and to pray the gay away, as it were. But I chose to be proudly out without, you know, having a Rainbow flag tattooed on my forehead. While Indian society in the 80s and 90s grudgingly accepted gay life, I grew up in a home where both my parents were artists. My father was a designer, jeweler and graphic artist, and my mother was India’s first female choir conductor. They were always around “artsy” people and always encouraged me to follow my artistic impulses, and were accepting when I did come out.
Your bio says you “relish resisting the clutches of typecasting.” How do you deal with typecasting?
When I first got to New York in 2001 the only roles I got were cab drivers or terrorists. When I got older I was cast as the father of a terrorist. But much has changed over the past 20 years. South Asians began producing and directing theatre and I did a lot of great plays.
Do you prefer working on a film set or on a live theatre stage?
I was trained for the stage and I am very good at theatre. It is not the same as acting in front of a camera which I had a hard time adapting to early in my career. Today I am a far better television actor than I was on Law & Order 15 years ago. It’s a very different beast.
You have travelled to 64 countries and counting. Besides English, you speak – in order of proficiency – Italian, Gujarati, Hindi, German, French, with smatterings of Marathi, Spanish and Urdu. Does travelling from city to city on national tours like Aladdin help quench your wanderlust?
When I am on tour my job is to prepare and stay in shape for my role, and that takes up a lot of time, energy and effort. We also do two shows each Saturday and Sunday. So it is more fun to visit other countries and cities when I have time off. But when I am in Montreal, believe you me I have a ton of friends there. So I have a lot of social engagements already booked and a lot of museums to go see!
Aladdin headlines Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts for eight performances from March 28 to April 2. Run time: 2h20 minutes including one intermission.
For tickets, visit aladdinthemusical.com/tour.
