Sherri Shepherd Is About to Make History as ‘Aladdin’s First Female Genie
Broadway’s ‘Aladdin‘ has spent more than a decade delighting audiences with its larger-than-life take on Disney’s beloved animated classic, and the role of Genie has remained one of the production’s most coveted showcases for comedic talent. Since the musical opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre back in 2014, the character has become a defining showcase role, giving performers room to bring their own personality and comic timing to one of Disney’s most iconic figures.
That tradition of big, larger-than-life performers stepping into blue-tinted magic is about to take an unprecedented turn. Sherri Shepherd, the Emmy-winning former co-host of ‘The View’, is joining the Broadway production of ‘Aladdin’ this fall, marking the first time a woman has ever played the Genie in any Disney-produced staging of the musical.
Disney Theatrical Group confirmed that Shepherd will begin her limited engagement on October 16, running through January 3, 2027, at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Current Genie Caleb A. Barnett will remain with the production as the character’s standby throughout Shepherd’s run, ensuring continuity for the long-running hit.
Shepherd didn’t hold back her excitement, breaking the news herself on social media before the official announcement went wide. “Well…THE SECRET IS OUT! I’ve got a whole new kind of magic up my sleeve! I’m beyond excited, honored, and ready to rub the lamp and make some Broadway magic as the first woman to ever play the genie in Disney’s ALADDIN!” she wrote, adding a reflection on her career path from stand-up comedy through television and now back to the stage.
In a statement following the announcement, Shepherd elaborated on what the milestone means to her personally. “To step on that stage as the first woman to ever play the Genie is something I don’t take lightly,” she said, describing her hopes that audiences will see themselves reflected in her performance and leave feeling inspired to believe in the impossible.
This marks Shepherd’s second Broadway credit, following her 2013 debut as the Evil Stepmother in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’, a role that made her the first African American actress to portray that character on Broadway. Beyond that production, her stage résumé also includes the Off-Broadway shows ‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’ and Joy Behar’s ‘My First Ex-Husband’.
Disney Theatrical Group’s leadership praised Shepherd’s comedic instincts as a natural fit for the role. “Throughout her career, Sherri has represented delight, wit, and loving good humor, making her the perfect entertainer to play the life force that is the Genie,” said Managing Director Andrew Flatt and Executive Producer Anne Quart in a joint statement announcing the casting.
Shepherd, who won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2009, spent seven years as a co-host on ‘The View’ and has built a wide-ranging résumé across sitcoms like ’30 Rock’, ‘Friends’, and ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, along with film credits including ‘Precious’ and ‘Ride Along 2’. Her casting adds another notable credit to a year that already includes her upcoming Lifetime film ‘Angel in the Rubble’, premiering September 12.
Since opening in 2014, ‘Aladdin’ has become one of Broadway’s biggest ongoing successes, setting 17 house records at the New Amsterdam Theatre and welcoming more than 22 million audience members worldwide across productions on four continents. Shepherd’s arrival adds fresh momentum to a show that’s continued finding new ways to stay culturally relevant more than a decade into its run.
With her limited engagement now confirmed, Shepherd’s turn as Genie promises to bring a distinct comedic energy to a role long associated with show-stopping charisma.
Are You Excited to See Sherri Shepherd as Genie?
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.
