Sherri Shepherd is making Broadway history.
The Emmy Award-winning actress, comedian, television host and author has been cast as the Genie in Disney’s hit Broadway musical Aladdin, becoming the first woman to play the iconic character in a Disney-produced 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 perform through January 3, 2027. She will take over the role from Caleb A. Barnett, who will remain with the production as the Genie standby.
“Joining Aladdin on Broadway is an absolute dream come true—and an incredible honor,” Shepherd said in a statement. She added that she is excited to bring her own “energy, humor, heart” and magic to the beloved character.
For Shepherd, the opportunity is more than another acting role. She hopes her performance will inspire young audience members—especially girls—to see themselves in roles they may not have previously imagined.
“I want the children to see the possibilities,” Shepherd told The Associated Press, explaining that she wants young girls to understand that they can dream beyond traditional expectations.
Preparing for the Genie
Taking on the Genie is a major challenge, particularly because of the character’s high-energy comedy, dancing and musical demands. Shepherd has already begun preparing by taking dance and voice lessons and practicing the show’s signature number, “Friend Like Me.”
Shepherd has also reached out to Broadway friends, including Kristin Chenoweth and Wayne Brady, for advice as she prepares for the demanding role.
“My whole career has never been the easy way,” Shepherd told the AP. “If it scares you, then you say yes.”
The Genie has become one of the most recognizable roles in Aladdin, with James Monroe Iglehart winning a Tony Award for his Broadway performance when the musical opened in 2014. The stage production is based on Disney’s Academy Award-winning 1992 animated film, which famously featured Robin Williams as the voice of the Genie.
Shepherd’s Return to Broadway
The role marks Shepherd’s second Broadway appearance. She previously appeared in Cinderella, playing Madame, the evil stepmother. Her theater credits also include the Off-Broadway productions Love, Loss, and What I Wore and My First Ex-Husband.
Television audiences know Shepherd from her years as a co-host of The View, her four-season daytime talk show Sherri, and appearances in television series including 30 Rock, Friends and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Now, she is bringing her signature comedy, personality and warmth to one of Disney’s most beloved Broadway characters.
With her historic casting, Shepherd isn’t simply granting wishes onstage—she is creating a new possibility for performers who will follow.
Disney’s Aladdin continues its Broadway run at the New Amsterdam Theatre, with Shepherd’s limited engagement scheduled from October 16, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
