Sherri Shepherd is stepping into one of Broadway’s most beloved roles and making history at the same time.

The Emmy Award winning actress, comedian and television host will play the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, 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. Her run is scheduled through January 3, 2027.

Sherri Shepherd Takes Over the Genie Role

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

The casting marks a major milestone for Aladdin, which has been a Broadway staple since opening at the New Amsterdam Theatre in 2014.

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 a Tony Award for his performance.

Now Shepherd is preparing to put her own spin on the character with her signature comedy, personality and energy.

“Joining Aladdin on Broadway is an absolute dream come true,” Shepherd said in a statement. She described the Genie as an iconic character and said she is excited to bring her own energy, humor and heart to the role.

A Major First for Disney’s Aladdin

Shepherd’s casting is more than a Broadway first.

According to reports, she will be the first woman to play Genie in any Disney produced stage production of Aladdin worldwide. That makes her upcoming performance a notable moment in the musical’s history.

For Shepherd, the opportunity also carries a personal meaning. She has previously taken family members, including her nieces and nephews, to see Aladdin. She told The Associated Press that she never expected she would eventually become part of the show’s cast.

Shepherd Wants Young Audiences to See What’s Possible

Shepherd is also thinking about the impact her casting could have on children sitting in the audience.

She has talked about wanting young theatergoers, particularly girls, to see themselves in roles they may not have previously considered.

Shepherd recalled being inspired as a child after seeing Stephanie Mills in The Wiz. Now she hopes her own Broadway performance can give young audience members a similar feeling of possibility.

The Genie is one of the biggest personality driven roles in Aladdin, making it a natural opportunity for Shepherd to showcase her comedic timing and stage presence.

Preparing for a Demanding Broadway Role

Even with decades of experience in entertainment, Shepherd knows the Genie will be a major challenge.

The role requires comedy, singing, dancing and plenty of energy throughout the performance. Shepherd has been taking dance and voice lessons as she prepares for the Broadway run.

She has also turned to fellow Broadway performers for advice, including Kristin Chenoweth and Wayne Brady. Shepherd told the AP that she has been reaching out to people she knows in the theater world for guidance as she prepares for the role.

Shepherd’s Broadway Experience

This will be Shepherd’s second Broadway appearance.

She previously made her Broadway debut in Cinderella, playing Madame, the show’s wicked stepmother. She has also appeared Off Broadway in productions including Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Joy Behar’s My First Ex Husband.

Beyond the stage, Shepherd is widely known for her television career. She spent seven years as a co host of The View, won a Daytime Emmy Award for her work on the program and later hosted her own daytime talk show, Sherri, for four seasons.

Her television credits also include 30 Rock, Friends and The Sex Lives of College Girls.

Aladdin Continues Its Broadway Run

Disney’s Aladdin is based on the 1992 animated movie that starred Robin Williams as the Genie. The Broadway musical opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014.

The stage production features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Beguelin. Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs the production.

The current Broadway cast includes Rodney Ingram as Aladdin, Sonya Balsara as Jasmine and Dennis Stowe as Jafar.

With Shepherd joining the production this fall, Aladdin is entering a new chapter with a historic interpretation of one of its most recognizable characters.

When Will Sherri Shepherd Play Genie?

Shepherd’s limited Broadway engagement as Genie begins October 16, 2026, at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City.

She is scheduled to perform through January 3, 2027.

For Shepherd, the role represents another major milestone in a career that has stretched across television, film, comedy and theater. For Broadway audiences, it offers a chance to see a familiar character through a completely new perspective.