Sherri Shepherd Reflects on Her Historic Aladdin Role
Sherri Shepherd has become the first woman to play the Genie in Broadway’s Aladdin. She began performances this month and is scheduled to continue through January 3, 2027. In an interview, she discussed returning to Broadway after 12 years and wanting young audiences to see new possibilities for the role.
Sherri Shepherd, a Daytime Emmy-winning host, actor and comedian, has taken on the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, becoming the first woman to do so. Her run started this month and is set to end January 3, 2027.
She last appeared on Broadway 12 years ago as Madame in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Keke Palmer as Ella. Shepherd has credited Kristin Chenoweth, Wayne Brady and Michelle Williams with urging her to conserve energy, and she listed vocal warmups, stretching, sleep and water as necessary parts of the role.
Shepherd’s visibility in a traditionally male-coded role could broaden how young theatergoers imagine casting possibilities, especially girls and students considering auditions. Her return may also draw attention to the physical demands and longevity strategies of Broadway work, offering a relatable example for performers balancing stamina and career reinvention. The impact may be most meaningful for audiences who rarely see women in such larger-than-life parts, though its broader cultural effect will depend on how the production and industry build on this moment.