Broadway’s ‘Aladdin’ to launch national tour from Chicago

Broadway's hit musical "Aladdin" will take a magic carpet ride across the country -- a national tour will launch next year in Chicago.

Disney Theatrical Productions said Tuesday the show will begin performances at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre in April 2017. Future stops and the cast will be announced later.

"Aladdin," a musical adaptation of the 1992 movie starring Robin Williams, opened on Broadway in March 2014 and has become one of the highest grossing shows in New York.

The story by Chad Beguelin hews close to the film. A street urchin finds a genie in a lamp and hopes to woo a princess while staying true to his values and away from palace intrigue.

Key Alan Menken songs from the film -- including "Friend Like Me," `'Prince Ali" and "A Whole New World" -- are used. The lyricists are by the late Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Beguelin.

It's directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with sets by Bob Crowley and lighting design by Natasha Katz. Gregg Barnes did the costumes.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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