New production of AIDA

[jackhammer91406]

There's a new touring production of AIDA that opened in thousand Oaks this weekend. I saw it this afternoon and there are some seriously hot men on that stage. It is an equity production for those who maybe were wondering. While it doesn't use the Broadway sets, the design is lavish and works well. The voices are all strong , the dancing is professional and energetic.

Since I love the material ( I know, Elton John and Tim Rice), I was happy to see another staging of the show. It plays through tomorrow in Thousand Oaks, CA and then moves to Long Beach, Ca next weekend and then Pasadena the weekend after that.

[+ deej]

You were in my neighborhood and didn't call?!?!? SHAME ON YOU! :9

 

(Been wanting to see something lavish in that theater -- Tim Conway and Harvey Kormann were funny but didn't do much for the venue.)

[Rick Munroe]

>Tim

>Conway and Harvey Kormann were funny but didn't do much for

>the venue

 

Which one played Aida?

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Seriously though: How was the voice of the actress playing 'Aida?'

 

It's a rather tough role to sing and if done well, can really bring down the house on a variety of musical numbers. While the show got panned on Broadway as 'just another Disney musical,' i always had a soft-spot for this show.

 

'Gods Love Nubia' is an amazing song.

 

 

Warmest,

 

 

 

BN

[bigguyinpasadena]

Jackhammer-treat yourself to the real thing!Opens the 22nd

http://www.losangelesopera.com/home/index.asp

[Argos]

I am sure the LA Opera production of Aida will be spectacular. I recently saw Iryna Mishura play the role of Amneris at the Met, and she is not only an incredible singer, but she is also a beautiful and believeable actress. As for the Disney Production of Aida I have seen it several times and heard the title role of Aida sung by some amazing voices. I think I'll try and catch the T.O. production tonight if there are any seats still available. Thanks for the "heads up" Jackhammer.

[jackhammer91406]

Ben,

Having seen Debra Cox perform the role on Broadway and listening to Heather Headley almost everyday, I understand what you mean about the demands of the role. A young lady named Melodye Perry plays Aida and she does very well. Melodye appeared in the Broadway Production as Nehebka, and understudied the role of Aida. She has a strong voice and her performance instincts are good. However, (there is always a however when you speak of this role) she doesn't hit the last note in Dance of The Robe. Of course that note is an almost impossible note to hit and sustain, but when you have heard the others (Heather and Debra) you miss it.

 

I will say that the orchestra is a bit on the thin side, but it only bothered me a little.

 

The material is so powerful and compelling, that you can look past some things. For those who saw the Broadway production (this production is not Disney sponsored) They have used a different set design, and while lavish and well done, don't expect a retread of what you remember. Also, there is no credit for costumes, so it is probably done by committee picking off racks at a costume house. the only place this shows is with the Amneris character. The young lady playing this role has a great voice, good acting chops, but isn't the lithe and willowy stature of the women who played the role on Broadway. as a result, they had to adopt a different style of garb with her, and while much of it works, her opening and closing outfit looks anything but Egyptian.

 

There are nit picks. The show is fine and the performances are strong. The men are in very, VERY good shape and I only wish my seat had been closer to the stage.

 

here is the itinerary

Thousand Oaks, CA January 4-9

Long Beach, CA January 14-16

Pasadena, CA January 21-23

Richardson, TX January 27-30

Phoenix, AZ February 1-6

Greensboro, NC April 14-17

Toledo, OH April 21-24

Kansas City, MO April 26-May 1

[Rick Munroe]

Just to refresh my memory, isn't this the show that takes place in ancient Egypt, but then suddenly out of nowhere there's a modern-day fashion show with lines like "fashion is my strongest suit"? Just checking...

[bostonman]

And..I saw that other Elton John/Tim Rice show this week, i.e. The Lion King, in its extended stay at the newly restored landmark Boston Opera House (where the legendary Sarah Caldwell ran up billions in debt with her productions some years ago...lol)

 

I bring it up in this thread because the guy who's currently playing the grown-up Simba has one impressive upper body...lol...(and the guy playing the villainous Scar brings a fun, campy, droll delivery to the role, reminiscent of Cyril Ritchard's Captain Hook or Vincent Price, etc).

 

(Has anyone ever remarked on a gay sensibility in this show? I noticed more than a little...but then again I would...lol)

 

Other than that, I have to say the show, as a musical, is a mild disappointment. Yes, the cast sings impeccably, the dancing and staging are spot-on and fun to watch, the sets, costumes, lights, and Julie Taymor's INCREDIBLE stage magic are absolutely breathtaking - but somehow I still wonder how such a paper-thin story merits an almost 3-hour production. (And the songs are fine as pop tunes, but most of them don't advance the plot, and Taymor tends to embellish them with so much to look at you barely notice there's supposed to be a story being told. And most of the African music seems to have been added so that Taymor could do more filler staging. All phenomenal to watch - but after a while it was just too much!)

 

Not that I didn't enjoy it for what it was - I just wanted more of a meal and less dessert. (Yeah, I know, it's Disney...lol). Anyone see Taymor's Magic Flute at the Met? Wondering how she does with a much more substantial and satisfying story...!

[ted]

Yes you do remember correctly

[pierrot]

If you want to hear the real Aida with a real, incredible singer, listen to the Met's rebroadcast later this month of a performance from the '60s with Leontyne Price.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

There's no doubt that Taymor is one creative gal~

 

Although, everytime i've endured Lion King onstage, it's been a 3-hour test of patience. Sure, the set design is genius and there's lots to stare at, but the book & lyrics are non-existant, making for one boring night of theatre.

 

I will say that Disney has done a spectactular job of marketing this show to families and keeping the seats filled. The New Amsterdam in NYC is almost always 100% full nightly for the show, as are the various incarnations of the roadshow. 'TLK' shares many of the same feelings as 'Cats' did with me: Always something to look at, but very little to remember in the longrun.

 

As for Aida, i agree wholeheartedly with you Jack that Deborah Cox was really fantastic. While Headley may have originated the role, she didn't always have the vocal chops to consistantly tear into those high notes. Cox made it look easy and always (well, every performance i saw in) hit that last note in DOTR. The only Aida i've seen that could top either Headley or Cox was Simone, daughter of jazz superstar Nina Simone. She was incredible.

 

I wonder how far Richardson, Tx is from San Antonio?

 

 

Warmest Always,

 

 

 

BN

[bigguyinpasadena]

I saw Taymors staging of Flying Dutchman in LA and not only was it less than impressive(silly even)a lot of the effects did not work correctly-she is in way over her head with grand opera,and should stick with animal puppets for Disney.

As an aside,I saw the LA production of Aida(the disney show)with Nina Simones'daughter-really hated it.Wayyyyyyy overmiked and the music was so repetitive-Lion King 2-the later years.

[Guest rohale]

I'm one of the late bloomers to see the production. I'll have the chance to see AIDA in early March in Coral Gables, Florida. I'm very much looking forward to seeing this production. Tim Rice and Elton John have done some terrific work together over the last ten years. Now if only someone can convince Sir Elton's other long time collaborator Mr Bernie Taupman to maybe try his hand at writing and perhaps doing a musical production together.

 

On a different note, I'm looking forward to seeing Harry Connick Jr in the long awaited production " The Pajama Game ". The green light has finally been given. A new director has been chosen. This will be Mr Connick Jr's second musical production since the early 1990's. I wish him the best of success in his new production

 

Rohale