Backstage with Marcus Martin of Disney's 'Aladdin'

The Texas Performing Arts Broadway in Austin series has really stepped their game up in the last couple of years, and this season has been a continuation of that excellence. Recently, I was fortunate to see Disney’s Aladdin while it was in town as part of the Texas Performing Arts Broadway in Austin series. Needless to say, the entire show was breathtaking. 

Adapted from the animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” Aladdin brought life to the stage in a way that is rarely seen these days. One of the perks of being me is getting a chance to talk to the actors who help captivate audiences and this time around, the honor was all mine as I got a chance to catch up with Marcus Martin, who played Genie. Martin knew from an early age that bringing people joy was his calling. Growing up in Akron, Ohio, he started doing theatre at age seven.

Marcus M. Martin as Genie in the Aladdin Tour. Photos by Deen van Meer.

“I was terrible at all of the sports, but I've always been an enthusiastic kid,” he said with a laugh. “I loved entertaining people. I loved singing and dancing around the house. One summer, we tried theatre camp and that's what ended up sticking. The rest is history. Outside of acting, I love basketball and I love cooking. You can probably find me either watching ESPN or, or playing NBA 2k when I'm not on stage.”

Although he’s been excited to take on the role, Martin was keenly aware of the weight of the role and the lasting legacy it has in the hearts and minds of fans for decades.

“I play the Genie in Aladdin, which is such an honor. I mean, the role is iconic,” Martin stated. “Of course, what the late, great Robin Williams did with this role is iconic and what James Monroe Igleart, the original Tony Award winning Genie on Broadway did with this role — the legacy of the role is so rich, so it's an honor to be able to step into those shoes. It's also a responsibility to step into those shoes and hopefully do it justice.”

Despite the weight of the role, Martin was thankful to have the creative freedom to bring life to the role and make it his own, rather than simply doing his best Robin Williams impersonation. As someone who got to see him on stage, let me just say that he nailed it. 

Part of what helped Martin to take on this role was his research and creative process. If he wanted to bring the energy, and keep audiences laughing, he knew he’d need to take notes from some of the people who have done it the best.

“When I was doing research, before we started rehearsals, I watched a lot of standup comedy,” Martin explained. “Because in a way, Genie is pretty much a standup comedian, as a story. He doesn't necessarily stand up with a mic and do jokes for 30 minutes, but in a way he kind of operates like a standup comedian. So, I watched a lot of old Richard Pryor sets and Eddie Murphy and watched some, Kevin Hart and Bernie Mac, the Kings of Comedy — I watched a lot of standup comedians to see their pacing, how they work the crowd and what their comedic timing is like. All of that to try to incorporate those characteristics into my Genie.”

Thankfully, the show was a massive success during its time in Austin. Martin was also enjoying the journey, having been a dream come true for the young actor.

“I'm having the best time. This is actually my dream role,” Martin admitted. “I've wanted to play this role since I was in high school. When I watched the original genie on Broadway perform "Friend Like Me" at the Tony Awards, I knew that this was a role that I could play and that when I got older I'd be able to. So this has been a dream come true. It's such a blessing and I'm having the best time and this cast is amazing.”

Even though Aladdin has flown away on a magic carpet, Broadway in Austin has plenty more in store. The next show on this season’s lineup is Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations — and you know it’s going to be a game changer. And you know, I’ll be there to get Backstage with the cast.