I don't actually think of AIDA as a show which had a 'parade of popstars', though. Other than Toni Braxton, Deborah Cox (who was great) and Taylor Dayne, who else was there?
Whether quality was sacrificed or not is different by everyone's interpretation. Having the show stay open an additional year +, if, in fact, that's why, not only allowed thousands of new fans to see and enjoy it, but also gave all those involved, employment. The attitude that a show should close if every role isn't absolutely perfectly cast to everyone's satisfaction is ridiculous, in my opinion, because it's an impossibility. Casting is not an exact science.
When I saw the OBC, I couldn't imagine anyone being better in any of those roles. Well, I saw the show many times during its run and enjoyed several of the replacements and understudies who performed. As in any show, each brought their own small nuances to the roles which made it interesting, to me at least. After seeing it several times, I realized that I actually enjoyed some of the replacements more than the originals; Will Chase comes to mind, and Merle Dandridge came very close!
And for anyone in the area, be sure to go! The MUNY is a fantastic spot and does great shows. I have a few friends who are in the company there this summer.
"I don't actually think of AIDA as a show which had a 'parade of popstars', though. Other than Toni Braxton, Deborah Cox (who was great) and Taylor Dayne, who else was there? "
There was also Michelle T. Williams (of Destiny's Child fame) who was brought in as Aida. I agree that Deborah Cox was wonderful, and I also agree that many of the replacements were in their own way, wonderful. I greatly enjoyed the performances of Maya Days, Cox, Will Chase, Idina, Merle Dandridge, and Matt Bogart, among others.
The big problem with Toni was that she couldn't sing the songs as written. The score was brought down to accomodate her (that and for some reason she felt she couldn't handle 8 shows a week, when all of her predecessors managed just fine). Michelle T. Williams couldn't sing or act. Deborah Cox, as you mentioned, was just wonderful. Updated On: 6/26/06 at 11:22 AM
There's a tour coming near me in October, does anyone know where I can find a list of the cast? Since the official Aida website hasn't been updated in a long time...
The St. Louis production or the tour production? Cause the show at the MUNY is just, unfortunetely, a one week engagement. Updated On: 6/26/06 at 07:39 PM
Ahhh! I was very fortunate to be off yesterday and have my parents on vacation. Well, we took a trip to St. Louis and made our first stop at the box office whare we got A1 row seats! They were far over into stage right and I was sure that they were going to be horribe. I was pleasantly surprised when I could see EVERYTHING! The show was FANTASTIC and all of the actors/actresses were AMAZING! I was blown away and THOROUGHLY enjoyed it! Wonderful show... Im so sad that it is over and I plan on going to Columbia to see it next year! FIVE STARS!!!
ive seen the show 3 times now.. by far one of the best the muny has done... Simone, Will Chase, and Lisa Brescia are all three worth the money by themselves. Performing at the Muny for the past 4 years, i really wish i was cast in this show.. its soo good.. however im an orphan in Oliver! coming up in the beginning of August... starring Bruce Adler and Jenny Powers
im no help because im in the ny area, so im a hugely ny obc fan: adam pascal (yes, the guy from rent), sherie renee scott (brilliant, from dirty rotten scoundrels), and heather headley. =] aida unfortunatelly has ended here in ny =[
theatre major, class of 2011 ♥
MARIAN: Well, what would you like to take out?
HAROLD HILL: The librarian.
MARIAN: Quiet, please!
HAROLD HILL: (whispering)The librarian.