Get ready for a multi-episode crossover event between “General Hospital” and Disney’s Broadway musical “Aladdin,” in which Michael James Scott, who has played larger-than-life Genie since 2019, will appear as himself in a story arc involving the soap’s stars Giovanni Mazza (Gio Palmieri) and Braedyn Bruner (Emma Scorpio-Drake), among others.
According to Entertainment Weekly, which first reported the news, Gio and Emma will depart Port Charles for a romantic trip to New York City on the Thursday, April 23 episode. Later, on the Friday, April 24 episode, they’ll interact with Scott, who, in story, is said to be a friend of Gio’s from the time the young violinist was performing in a Broadway orchestra pit.
Christine Bartolucci/Disney
In a follow-up episode set to air on Monday, May 4, Scott will appear in Port Charles and perform a jazz rendition of the classic song “Friend Like Me,” first popularized in the 1992 animated film by the late Robin Williams, at The Savoy, the club owned by Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner).
The timing of the crossover comes as the musical celebrated its 12th anniversary on Broadway last month, while “General Hospital” is celebrating its 63rd anniversary, having debuted on ABC on April 1, 1963.
Scott, who originated the role of Genie in the Australian production of the musical, is set to mark his final performance as the popular character on Broadway on Sunday, May 3, making his appearance on “General Hospital” all the more poignant for fans.
Current performers attached to Broadway’s “Aladdin” include Rodney Ingram as Aladdin, Sonya Balsara as Jasmine, Dennis Stowe as Jafar, JC Montgomery as Sultan and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago, among others.
Check out a 10th anniversary performance of “Friend Like Me” below.
