We are thrilled to announce that Michael Maliakel, who recently completed a three-year run as the title role in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, will join Asheville Symphony as our soloist for this year’s Symphony in the Park performance on Saturday, September 7!
Michael Maliakel (pronounced “Molly-uh-kell”) recently completed a three-year run as the title role in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. An award-winning Indian-American actor and singer, Michael was recently featured in two PBS concert specials: “Broadway’s Brightest Lights,” alongside Broadway luminary Megan Hilty, and “An Evening with Lerner and Loewe.” A third PBS special, “Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir”, will be released in December of 2024. This summer, Michael appeared in Titanic at NY City Center’s Encores (NY Times Critics’ Pick) and debuted at the MUNY in St. Louis as Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. He recently made his Kennedy Center debut in the critically acclaimed production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard starring Tony award winner Stephanie J. Block. Prior to the pandemic, Michael toured North America with the 25th Anniversary production of The Phantom of the Opera. Other recent stage highlights include Bernstein’s MASS (Marin Alsop and the Chicago Symphony – Ravinia Festival), Georg in She Loves Me (PlayMakers Repertory Company), and the record-breaking world premiere of Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding (Berkeley Repertory Theatre). Michael’s on-screen work includes roles on “BULL” and “FBI,” both on CBS, the upcoming “Before” alongside Billy Crystal (Apple TV+), as well as appearances on “Good Morning America” and “The View.”
A classically trained baritone, Michael’s wide-ranging repertoire spans the Golden Age of Broadway, the American Songbook, and contemporary musical theatre hits. Michael’s versatility has been featured with orchestras and ensembles across the country including the National Philharmonic, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, the Tallahassee Symphony, the Savannah Philharmonic, the American Pops Orchestra, the Albany Symphony, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the New Jersey Festival Orchestra, TENET Vocal Artists, the Greenwich Choral Society, the Harmonium Choral Society, and the Long Island Choral Society. This coming season includes appearances with the Greenville and Asheville Symphonies as well as cabaret shows at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, FL and with Cabaret 313 in Detroit. He has received top awards from several organizations including the American Traditions Vocal Competition, the Lotte Lenya Competition, and the NATS National Music Theater Competition. Instagram: @michaelmaliakel
