Disney Casts First Female Genie for Broadway Aladdin Production
Disney has made history by casting Sherri Shepherd as the Genie in an upcoming Broadway production of Aladdin, marking the first time a woman will take on the iconic role.
The news was announced via Entertainment Weekly and comes after decades of Robin Williams' legendary voice performance. Shepherd's run is set to begin in October, and she expressed her excitement about joining the cast in a press release, stating 'Joining Aladdin on Broadway is an absolute dream come true, and an incredible honor.'
Sherri Shepherd is best known for co-hosting The View from 2007 until 2014 and has appeared in numerous acting roles throughout her career. While the Genie will always be closely associated with Williams' original version, several other actors have taken over the role, including Will Smith in the 2019 live-action adaptation.