A friend in a bottle
Adam Jacobs may have starred on Broadway in “Disney’s Aladdin,” but it’s Anthony Murphy as the Genie who steals the first “Aladdin” roadshow. He somehow manages to channel Madea, RuPaul and Luther Vandross at the same time. With a cast of dozens and only one Genie, the scene in the cave is a true showstopper. Then this colorful, briskly paced production carries on with similar verve. There’s even a magic carpet that truly flies via Disney magic.
JON BREAM
1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun., 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Wed., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Thu., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. next Sun. Orpheum Theatre, Mpls. $39-$179, hennepintheatretrust.org
He’s not as big as Luke Bryan or as hot as Sam Hunt. But Chris Stapleton is probably the most widely respected artist in country music at the moment. He writes authentic, deeply felt songs like Hank, Willie and Waylon did. Stapleton has been winning all kinds of awards at the Grammys, CMA and other country hoedowns. He impresses with bluesy soulful tunes such as “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Nobody to Blame” without ever raising his voice very loud.
JON BREAM
7 p.m. Sat. Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul. $35.75-$149, ticketmaster.com
In a year in which the biggest song has been the Spanish/English “Despacito,” there’s really no need to call it crossover anymore. Music transcends language. That’s what Pitbull, the force behind “I Know You Want Me” and “Timber,” and Enrique Iglesias, the voice of “Bailamos” and “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You),” have been proving for years. And, of course, these occasional touring partners will team up on their worldwide smash “I Like It.”
JON BREAM