Now in previews at the Hyperion Theater inside Disney's California Adventure Park in Anaheim, Disney's Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular will officially open Jan. 17, 2003.

Based on the popular animated film, Disney's Aladdin is approximately 40 minutes in length and is performed several times a day at the Hyperion. Two casts and crews are used for the production, which features songs — composed by Alan Menken, Tim Rice and the late Howard Ashman — from the film; Chad Beguelin has written the book. Menken, whose Little Shop of Horrors will find its way to Broadway this season, has written one new song for the stage Aladdin, entitled "To Be Free."

Directed by Francesco Zambullo, the musical features choreography by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, set design by Peter J. Davison, costume design by Anita Yavich and lighting design Mark McCullough. Timothy Mark has created the musical arrangements.

Anne Hamburger, the executive vice-president, creative entertainment, of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a statement, "This creative team embodies our goal of creating great shows that will delight our guests in ways they have never before experienced, as well as changing the way that our theme park entertainment is viewed by the public at large. Many people who visit our theme parks do not have the theatre available to them or their children. I am truly excited to be introducing a new generation of future theatregoers to some of the most creative talents in the world in a format — our single act shows — that all audiences can appreciate."

For more information, call (714) 781-4565 or visit www.disneyland.com. *

Written by Roger Allers and Ron Clements and directed by Clements and John Muser, Disney's 1992 "Aladdin" featured the voices of Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Frank Welker, Gilbert Gottfried, Douglas Seale, Bruce Adler, Brad Kane and Lea Salonga. It won the 1993 Academy Award for Best Original Score.

—By Andrew Gans