Aladdin actress returns to Birmingham

By Lee J. Green

Nicole Lamb can’t wait to take the magic carpet back to the Magic City.

The Birmingham native returns home with the national Broadway tour of Disney’s “Aladdin,” coming to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Jan. 24 to 28.

“I saw so many shows and concerts at the BJCC growing up and I’ve always dreamed of being an actor, so this is just surreal,” she said.

“I am just so excited to be in such a magical show and to be able to share Birmingham with my castmates,” said Lamb. “I’ve given some travel itinerary recommendations, and they can see what a great city this is. And Birmingham is full of so many talented artists.”

The hit Broadway musical follows the story of the popular 1992 Disney animated classic and the 2019 live-action remake. “It has all the songs from the movie plus it adds a couple that didn’t make it in the movie and a couple of new songs,” she said. “It’s a funny, enchanting story that is something both adults and kids will really love.”

Tony and Academy Award-winner Alan Menkin writes the music for Aladdin, with lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tony Award-winner Tim Rice and book writer Chad Beguelin.

Lamb joined the tour in October 2023, serving as a swing for all six female ensemble roles and understudy for Princess Jasmine.

“I’ve been a swing before but never for a production this large,” she said. “I’m in most of the rehearsals shadowing different parts and learning everything I can. You don’t know ahead of time when you might be on and for what role, so I have to be ready for anything.” Lamb did confirm that she will be on stage in at least a couple of the Birmingham performances.

Lamb grew up in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia. She started dancing when she was just three years old, dancing competitively alongside her sisters for many years.

She joined Red Mountain Theatre when she was nine and started out in their mainstage production of “Annie” as Molly in 2003. Lamb would go on to perform in many RMT productions including “Little Women,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Les Misérables.”

After attending the University of Montevallo for a year, Lamb took a “leap of faith” and moved to New York City in 2013. She was able to land some roles in regional theatre and off-Broadway.

“I’m so grateful that my parents have been so supportive of me chasing my dream and doing what I love,” she said.

Lamb lives in New York but also comes back to Birmingham and Atlanta frequently to work on projects. During the pandemic, she started working in the Southeast for television and film. She was connected with Acting Out! Academy and was able to get steady work while Broadway was dark.

Her TV/film credits include “Legacies” on the CW Network (a “Vampire Diaries” spin-off) and working with Viola Davis on “The First Lady” – a TV movie about Michelle Obama.

Lamb’s other stage credits include the international/national tour of “Relapse” and the Broadway smash “Six” for Norwegian Tour Lines’ cruise ship.

Though she is not Jewish, Lamb said she has many Jewish friends in Birmingham and New York. She also has performed at Temple Emanu-El in a special RMT production.

“I’m very supportive of the Jewish community and I feel a strong kinship,” she said. “I hope that our show can provide comfort, joy and something that families can share together.”