Emcee's AIDA review!!!!!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:49pm

Okay. Where to even begin.... my goodness. The show was beautiful, as always. It's absolutely solidified its position as my favorite musical. When the lights went down and the show started, I started tearing up because I was so happy to be back. No show but your favorite can do that to you. A year and a half had simply been too long. I can't even tell you how many times I had chills (alternating, of course with that warm, fuzzy Adam-love feeling). It was kind of sad, though... for the most part, the audience was kind of unenthusiastic. Adam got a ton of applause after "Fortune," Saycon after EAL and the cast got a decent standing ovation at the end, but there were a LOT of points at which the audience was just weak. I hate to see that. I love the show so much, and I'm really going to miss it come September.

Now, on to the individual performances, since, considering that you all know about my intense love for the show itself, that would be the best route to take.

Adam: My baby is back!!!!! And he's back in all his glory. He looks amazing. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. He sounds great... with a few minor exceptions, he sounded just like he does on the cd. I was really pulling for him to hit "will forget" in "Enchantment Passing Through," but he didn't. He actually blatantly cracked, rather than just squeaking it out like he usually does. He did hit that kind-of-high note in "Like Father, Like Son," though, so I was happy. I saw him years ago, but don't have much recollection of his performance, per se... so I can't really compare today to anything, but it was almost weird to see him back up there... after all of that anticipation and everything. My only real issue with him was that - after so much anticipation - I often found myself thinking of him as "Adam" and not as "Radames." I had to almost fool myself into paying more attention to the part he was playing rather than the fact that it was simply him.... just the excitement of the moment, I guess. In any case, I'm just thrilled to have him back. His acting was right on - facial expressions full of emotion. I love the way he carries himself on stage - very strong and gallant, like a devastatingly gorgeous captain should be! I LOVED his "Fortune Favors the Brave." He came sprinting out on stage and sang the song so beautifully. Very growly, but full of enthusiasm. The chemistry between Adam and Saycon was great... Elaborate Lives was SO HOT. The scene directly following EL was adorable... he was very flirty, but it worked. Oh, yes... someone who works at the theatre (and also works for Adam's record label, Sh-k-Boom) told us that the new CD, "Civilian," is done. She said she's heard it, and it's great. They're aiming for early fall for the release. Before I further bore you all, I'll just sum up and say that he was great. I really missed him, and I'm so happy he's back.

Saycon - Today was her last performance, and I am truly honored to have seen it. She was fantastic the last time I saw her (in for Simone) and she's only gotten better. She brings Aida a lot of the dignity she needs to have, and she's got a wonderful voice. She was crying at the end of the show, but no one announced that it was her last day or anything... which I thought was a little bit weird. Adam was so sweet to her, though, trying to make her feel better at curtain call. You can tell they really get along well. She says her next project is "The Color Purple" and that she starts rehearsals next week. She's incredibly sweet.

Lisa - Having seen two PHENOMENAL actresses play Amneris (Sherie and Felicia), I'm happy to say I really enjoyed Lisa. She reminded me a lot of Sherie, actually, but seemed to be a good mix of the two. She was very, very funny at appropriate points, playing the ditziness really well, but she was able to show a lot of emotion, too. Great belt on her as well.

Eric - Again, having seen two wonderful actors in this role (Damien and Delisco) I thought Eric was awesome. His portrayal of Mereb was sweet and likable... you just wanted to hug him.

Micky - Oy. Vey. He just isn't right for the role. He seemed to have trouble singing... and his acting needs help. He just isn't evil enough... he's just sort of a funny-looking guy. I ADORED John Hickock, and now not having him there... I miss him. Two things I will give to Micky's credit, though: he really *does* seem to be trying to put all of himself into this role, and really does seem to be working hard... and he's extremely friendly at the stage door. Really nice guy.

Anyway, this is getting long, so I think that about covers it.
We caught Adam before the show on his way in (we'd been told that if we wanted to see him, that's what we had to do. Had the stage door guy not told us that, we wouldn't have done it because I know usually it's not cool) and we met the rest of the cast after the show - all very gracious and very nice.

Okay, now for those who want to know... as soon as I type it out on that other thread I'll post more details about meeting Adam. When I do, I'll post a link here to it. That way, you can read it if you want, and if you don't care you don't have to.
Edit: see link below.


Thanks for reading, all! I had the most wonderful time.



meeting Adam, etc.

Updated On: 7/22/04 at 09:49 PM

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:49pm

yay!! thanks so much! i'm soo glad that you had a great time! what about the spork?? haha.

Updated On: 7/21/04 at 09:49 PM

[insomniak]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:50pm

Thank you! Glad you had fun! Did you get my pm request for things that you didn't plan to post? Updated On: 7/21/04 at 09:50 PM

[Britt0913]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:52pm

Glad to hear you had fun!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:56pm

Thanks you guys!

I haven't stopped smiling in like nine hours. I don't think I've ever smiled for such an extended period of time before. I'm not well....

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:58pm

haha sure you are.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:58pm

haha, thanks. I appreciate the moral support! But really, I've decided that I'm a total headcase.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 9:59pm

no you're not. when i heard the clips of eden from her site, i was smiling for like..ever!

[M J R]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:00pm

Seeing it on August 1st - praying that Mickey will be OUT!

[insomniak]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:01pm

Broadway-induced smiles are the best kind. They stick around.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:02pm

yeah !

Updated On: 7/21/04 at 10:02 PM

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:05pm

I love when he comes out for Fortune! I get chills just thinking about it. I forgot that you would be seeing Saycon. I saw her a couple of times, the last time back in February. I have to admit she is my least favorite Aida, but maybe when I saw her, she was having an off day or something. It happens. Agree totally about Micky and everyone else. He is a sweetheart at the stagedoor, though. As you can tell, I was thinking about it all day and feeling slightly, just slightly jealous, that I wasn't going. LOL! I was going to try and go back on my birthday in August, but I'm going September 5 instead. I am so glad you had a great time. Now, I have to go see if you've posted about the stagedoor yet!!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:18pm

Aw, you guys are all so sweet. I'm getting chills just remembering all of this, though I still haven't quite processed it all yet. I waited four years for this... and now it's over! "I couldn't be happier... simply couldn't be happier..."

Amazing. I can't say anything more.

I'm off to answer those PM's now.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:22pm

Emcee... thanks for the review !! Sounds like u had a blast.. Yes, Dolenz is aweful ! Just saw that Hickok was cast in "Little Women"... very cool !

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:23pm

I definitely did have a blast, testing. Well worth the wait.

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:35pm

I totally missed John's name in that article earlier! My friend adores him. At least in AIDA she did! Wait til she hears this!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 10:50pm

I'm so excited to see him!!

Ahh... I'm listening to AIDA right now. *chills*
It just makes me really sad that today was potentially goodbye. I'm still so wired... ohmygosh. YAYYYY!

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 11:24pm

aww yeah luvtheEmcee! We had a great day (matzo ball soup all the way!)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 11:27pm

[Suttonfosteronline]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 11:32pm

It's a lovely show that has held up well!

Updated On: 7/21/04 at 11:32 PM

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 7/21/04 at 11:47pm

Ahh!! Emcee, it was so great! I was so glad that i got a chance to go and share the experience with you. It was truly memorable. (For MANY reasons - see other thread lol.)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:10am

LMAO! I had a great time, too. I'm still in the recovery process.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 5:18am

Great review. Thanks for sharing it, Emcee. Couldn't believe the 'spork story'. You guys are crazy (in a nice way, of course). I would have loved to see Adam's look when he saw the spork in your hand.

I am seeing the show again *cough* next week Tuesday. Does anyone know who is going to take over from Saycon? I assume Deborah is still not doing Tuesdays and Wednesday matinees, so does anyone know who will be doing Aida instead?

QM

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 7:18am

Oh, maybe you'll get to see Schele Williams!!! That would be great! She's one of my favorite AIDA's! Make sure you post a report for all us Adam/AIDAaholics . From your post, it sounds like you've seen it alot? 'Fess up. How many times?

[crp2000]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 9:28am

Great Review Emcee!!! I agree with your review of each character with the exception of Saycon (i never got to see her!!).
Wish you could've seen Mahi as Mereb - he's great too.

I do however know Saycon's replacement is Ta'Rhea Campbell (i'm almost POSITIVE i just screwed her name up!!). Ms. Campbell was the standby or understudy for AIDA on the tour and was most recently the understudy for EACH of those beautiful SANGIN' sista's in Little Shop. She's the sweetest girl and I can hardly wait to see her as AIDA.