Sherri Shepherd makes Broadway history as first woman to play Genie in ‘Aladdin’

Sherri Shepherd is stepping into one of the most recognisable roles in Disney theatre and making Broadway history at the same time. The Emmy Award winning actress, comedian and television host has been cast as the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, becoming the first woman to play the character in a Disney produced stage production of the musical.

Shepherd will begin her limited engagement at New York City’s New Amsterdam Theatre on October 16, 2026, and is scheduled to remain with the production through January 3, 2027. Her casting marks a significant moment for a show that has been part of Broadway since 2014.

The announcement was met with excitement from Shepherd herself, who celebrated the opportunity on Instagram and described it as a dream come true. She said she was ready to bring her own energy, humour, heart and personality to the character, while embracing the chance to put her own spin on the famously comedic role.

The Genie has traditionally been portrayed by male performers, with James Monroe Iglehart becoming particularly associated with the Broadway role after originating it and winning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 2014. Shepherd will now bring a new interpretation to the character when she takes over later this year.

Her preparation has also included seeking advice from fellow Broadway performers. Shepherd told the Associated Press that she has reached out to friends including Kristin Chenoweth and Wayne Brady for guidance as she takes on the high energy production. She has also been practising "Friend Like Me", the Genie’s signature number, while getting ready for the demanding performance schedule.

The role gives Shepherd another major Broadway opportunity following her previous appearance in Cinderella, where she played Madame, the wicked stepmother. Her theatre work sits alongside a television career that includes her time as a co host of The View, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award, as well as her four season daytime talk show Sherri.

Shepherd has also spoken about what the casting could mean for younger audiences, particularly girls who may have grown up seeing princesses as the most visible female characters in Disney stories. She hopes children watching her performance will see the Genie as another possibility and recognise that they can imagine themselves in unexpected roles.

Disney’s Aladdin is based on the 1992 animated film featuring the late Robin Williams as the voice of Genie. The Broadway production opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin. Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs the stage production.

Shepherd will take over from Caleb A. Barnett, who will remain with the Broadway company as the Genie standby during her engagement.