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'AIDA' at the Palace Theatre
by Leila Nelson

published 3/20/00

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Leila Nelson is a starving actress based in Greenwich Village.



MOST RECENT YAK ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

Subj: Aida
I viewed the play Aida (John and Rice version)in Kansas at the Junction City High School back in March of 2008. Wonderful,wonderful play.Does anyone one know if the the Heather Headley and Adam Pascal broadway version is for sale and where it can be perchased?

-- Serreana
Jun 27, 2008 at 11:51AM

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Adam Pascal and Heather Headley in Aida.
One's welcome into the House of Thespis should not be an angry, pontificating group of Tic Tac-popping, underread people lying in wait to be unfulfilled by the show they have just spent eighty dollars to witness. I have been more and more irritated with theatre audiences as of late. Sitting beside eighteen hundred people, most of whom fancy themselves more theatrically savvy than Brooks Atkinson (though would probably not know who he was), has become increasingly difficult. It baffles the mind as to why many of these people bother to attend the theatre. But, alas they do, and in doing so, give money and life to an art that I adore. So, we must put up with them.

In the past few weeks I have witnessed something rather fascinating in the realm of the audience. Full houses are gathering, staggeringly diverse groups of people, all ages and races and backgrounds, and shockingly, they do not seem to be complaining. They actually all seem happy. They are coming together to see the new Broadway musical "AIDA".

The tale at the center of this contemporary version of AIDA is the same story as Giuseppe Verdi's opera version of the same name. Verdi's AIDA, said to be the most performed opera in history, was commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt in 1869 for the 1870 opening of the Suez canal. The piece, however was not performed until 1871. As in Verdi's AIDA, this new version, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, centers on the legend of a captured Nubian princess name Aida (Heather Headley) who is given by her captor, an Egyptian soldier (Adam Pascal, with his trademark Rent voice in all its glory), to his betrothed, the daughter of the Egyptian Pharaoh, Princess Amneris (Sherie Rene Scott) as a handmaiden. Aida, who is actually a Princess herself in her homeland, keeps her nobility concealed to save her life as she works to free her people from Egypt. However, a love triangle ensues between the three characters, which forces each to choose between true love and their duties to their respective countries, and ultimately, between love and death.

Audiences are responding wonderfully to the mythic story of fated love that plays as contemporary as the front page of The New York Times. In the tale, one can see the racial prejudices that were the roots of American slavery, as well as some of the stereotypes which still exist today. The director, Robert Falls (Tony Award winner for last years "Death of a Salesman"), also one of the bookwriters for the piece, has done a wonderful job in creating a truly timeless feel within the style and story of the musical. This timelessness is utilized to perfection by beginning and ending the piece, set in the present day, in a museum. One travels full circle when they witness this show, and that is a rare experience.

The collaborative effort involved in this production is a brilliant one. John and Rice, who worked together previously on the hit The Lion King have created wonderful songs which have been stylized by the immensely talented set and costume designer, Bob Crowley. Crowley, known mostly to American audiences for his Tony Award-winning design for the revival of Carousel at Lincoln Center a few years ago, has made a world both modern and ancient which seems to draw from Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Indian influences. There are quite obviously pop culture influences which work well against a backdrop of highly theatrical color and simplicity, aided perfectly by lighting designer Natasha Katz.

There is one very beautiful scene revolving around the song, "Not Me", when a simple backdrop of a river is used in a triptych: first it is the river itself, then it flies up on an angle to become the sky, and later it is dropped back down in a wonderful display to become the soldiers tent. Each time, the lighting creates a whole new image of the same uncomplicated drop. It is a truly beautiful, understated and yet completely overwhelming image.

There are, of course, other numbers which do not employ the same simplistic beauty of the "Not Me" number. These other parts of the show are staggeringly high tech and modern and still work perfectly within the piece. The much talked about fashion show during "My Strongest Suit", Amneris' fabulous over-the-top song, performed with a fantastic comic ability by Sherie Rene Scott, is a raging clothing display by Amneris's handmaidens for her within her "closet." It is rumored to be Elton John's tribute to his dear friend Gianni Versace, and it is seven minutes of pure fun and spectacle . . . again the work of Mr. Crowley and Ms. Katz.

Heather Headley is a vision. She is at once regal, statuesque, powerful and graceful. Her voice is a powerhouse, and the life and history she brings to this AIDA is unbelievably beautiful. When she walks onto the stage, lithe as a gazelle, it makes one wish we could all hold such strength and dignity in our movements.

I have met and talked with many members of the audience over the past few weeks of previews at The Palace Theatre and I must say I have been surprised. Pleasantly surprised. People from the opera world, people from the music business, from Broadway and Off-Broadway, people who are 75 and people who are 15, all cultures and races resoundingly agree that AIDA is a hit. It seems to be touching them in the exact way the director intended and that is key. The timelessness is key.

So, let us all try to rid the world of the angry, pontificating, Tic Tac-popping, underread audience lying in wait to be unfulfilled by the show they have just spent eighty dollars to witness . . . and instead replace them with the masses who have come to see AIDA. An appreciative bunch of eclectic theatre lovers who want to see something succeed for a change. Now, until Friday when the real critics have their say . . . God help us all.


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Name: Serreana
Subject: Aida
-- Jun 27, 2008 at 11:51AM
I viewed the play Aida (John and Rice version)in Kansas at the Junction City High School back in March of 2008. Wonderful,wonderful play.Does anyone one know if the the Heather Headley and Adam Pascal broadway version is for sale and where it can be perchased?

Name: mickeym
Subject: script
-- Jun 4, 2008 at 1:00AM
hi. i'm entering a competition and i would like to ask anyone to pls. send me a whole page of the script before and after the song "easy as life" so i can get some of the dialogue before the singing part. thanks. i'd appreciate it.

Name: Mary
Subject: DVD
-- May 4, 2008 at 8:29PM
Over two years since the last post - has anybody been able to find a DVD of Aida? Are we all still looking? I desperately need a fix! The CD is not enough! Help, help!

Name: Sandy
Subject: DVD
-- Feb 3, 2006 at 3:15PM
I also have been frantically searching for Aida on DVD (the elton john version). Has anybody been able to find it?

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: 'AIDA' at the Palace Theatre
-- Jan 28, 2006 at 5:50PM
I saw it PG High School it was so amazing i just died.

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: 'AIDA' at the Palace Theatre
-- Jan 28, 2006 at 5:49PM
loved it~~

Name: Mozelle
Subject: Aida
-- Jan 8, 2006 at 3:35AM
I first experienced the musical play in downtown Chicago at the Cadillac Theather in 1999 and have been longing to inhale and experience it once again. I happened to be checking online tonight to see if finally available on DVD.

Name: portia
Subject: aida
-- Oct 17, 2005 at 6:23PM
i loved the play aida!

Name: Nick
Subject: Aida bkgrnd
-- Aug 31, 2005 at 9:16PM
Hey guys. Just found out that we're doing Aida at my high school in November of 2005. I was just curious about the part of Aida. Does she have to be black? Someone answer asap please...thanks

Name: Jay
Subject: AIDA
-- Apr 23, 2005 at 11:42AM
Grand Island Nothwest's production of AIDA was absolute spectacular. It is the best musical ever put on in the nation. With a cast and crew and pit totaling up to 270 people, there is nothing that can beat this. Great job everyone involved.

Name: Tony
Subject: AIDA
-- Apr 10, 2005 at 9:46PM
Aida was recently performed at Union High School in Union, New Jersey. In fact it just ended today. People say it was the best show they had ever seen and even said that we surpassed broadway! It was amazing. I played the role of the Pharoah. There are no more performances left, but we certainly made an impact on every single person in that audience.

Name: Amanda
Subject: Aida
-- Apr 6, 2005 at 6:04PM
Cardinal Ohara High School of Springfield, PA is performing Aida in November of 2005. Our school is known for its amazing shows and singers/dancers/acto rs. it will be an amazing show and everyone should come to see it.

Name: Debbie
Subject: Aida
-- Mar 18, 2005 at 6:25PM
March 17-20, 2005. Grand Island Nebraska Northwest High School deliver an awesome Musical! The school's music dept. has taken Elton John's Aida and brought down the house. It's amazing!!

Name: tonie
Subject: aida
-- Mar 11, 2005 at 3:44PM
Saw AIDA in Pittsburg PA, I love it so much I want to know are they making a moving of AIDA so I can buy it on DVD.

Name: renee
Subject: AIDA
-- Aug 19, 2002 at 9:26AM
Saw AIDA in Washington, D.C with Paulette Ivory
for the afternoon I felt like AIDA and took the passion from the theatre with me. She delivered a powerful rendition of 'the gods love Nubia' I was amaxed and showered with blessings from the delivery. Where did she learn to sing like that. Where will Paulette be next.

Name: Leila Nelson Responds
Subject: Re: idina menzel
-- Nov 12, 2001 at 1:29PM
Yes... she began on the 13th of September and will run through January.

Name: jerry
Subject: idina menzel
-- Nov 11, 2001 at 1:40PM
is idina in the show currently?

Name: Leila Nelson Responds
Subject: Re: 'AIDA' at the Palace Theatre
-- Oct 5, 2001 at 12:09PM
In response... the sheet music is now available at The theatre for 20 bucks... pretty good edition... and call 212 869 0076... AIDA merchandising for fleece info... xoxo.

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: 'AIDA' at the Palace Theatre
-- Oct 4, 2001 at 10:25AM
How can I purchase a fleece Aida jacket? You only had extra large when I saw the performance

Name: ali
Subject: ????
-- Jul 16, 2001 at 6:30PM
i have a question, is the sheet music for aida out yet???? and were can i find it??wonderferful review by the way.

Name: Titi
Subject: AIDA
-- Aug 24, 2000 at 2:44PM
Now if there is way to get this to the Dirtector please do. Have you ever seen a captionn of a show on TV then you turn to be obsessed and now feel like you havent lived until you have seen AIDA. WEll I saw AIDA on the Today show last Sat, Heather rocked at 9:00am amazing!! I bought the CD on Monday, I am obsessed by and I love every single song in there. AMAZING. Captivating.... I will miss Heather if she goes into the movie industry.. she will get more money but she has a lot more to offer on Broadway where she cant 'TAKE TWO'.

Name: Jeremy
Subject: Review
-- Mar 23, 2000 at 12:54PM
Brava!!!

I am totally in agreement with you on this one. But I thought the reviews were supposed to wait until after the show opened.

what do you mean real critics? who are THEY but ordinary people (pherhaps Brantley is not a person)making money for THEIR opinions.

Name: Jen
Subject: AIDA Review
-- Mar 23, 2000 at 6:33AM
Thank God for you, Leila, who posesses the talent to put into words a theatrical experience that seems to defy description. Beautiful words, my dear, and all due praise to a fabulous show!


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