they supported me to let me bring the thing that i do to the role, like all the gene kelly and fred astaireat. >> there's some patti labelle . there's some whitney. >> we have one, two, three, four, five genies. >> reporter: the five men donning that blue on the anniversary, topping off their performance with the ultimate showstopper, "friend like me". ♪ >> it is a beast of a number. you really have to learn how to pace yourself. >> reporter: the genie is metim. >> to be in theater and be a large black man and for there to be a space for us there's just. >> there are not many roles right now that can give you a full resume in one performance. >> exactly. >> reporter: and they hope their performance inspires others like them. >> i saw my first show here. saw the "lion king " at the age of 10. i know what seat i was sitting in, the ninth row. every time i do the show here, i give an a little extra love to the person in that seat. to see that little round, brown kid in the audience and knowing i was him when i was little looking for someone that looked like me is the best feeling in the world.