#1
Posted: 7/28/04 at 12:51pm
Let me first say this show is beautiful. Definitely the better of the Disney three. It's not a huge spectacle, and it has the meaning and development that I love in a musical; it's not just mushy Disney crap. The music is probably the highlight of the show itself. I came out of intermission singing the soulful "The Gods Love Nubia" and I'm wayyy too white to be singing that 
The book is so/so. It can get cheesy in some parts, but overall it isn't too bad. The set was very Disney-esque, but not distracting or overshadowing the show much like the other Disney productions. What really blew me away was the lighting, especially at the end. It added to the mood really well. The mixture of the music, lighting, and the story at the end got me all teary eyed for sure
Ok, so the actors:
Ta'Rea Campell is the new Aida standby, and GO SEE HER!!! She is amazing, this girl blew me away. I was looking forward to seeing someone other than a "star" (no offense to those who love Deborah) Ta'Rea gave Aida so much attitude and determination, and showed her sweet side perfectly when with Ramades. This girl has some voice, in "Dance of the Robe" I got multiple chills. "Easy as Life" was so intense. Go see her in this show, she will rock your socks for sure.
Adam Pascal is Adam Pascal. If you're not a fan of his voice you're not going to like him. I personally liked him a lot. He gave Ramades this conceited edge and his voice just adds to that. But he also incorporates this vulnerability that you would think wouldn't happen. Ramades becomes this vulnerable man around Aida, and Adam does this perfectly. During songs with Aida, he sings like he normally does, growly and all, but he uses a softer falsetto type thing that shows off the vulnerable side. Frankly, Adam's falsetto is beautiful.
Micky Dolenz...ugh...he stands there and sings. No emotion, he stands up straight as a board and just sings. His voice isn't anything special at all. The high notes at the end of his songs he holds for a second and does this growly yell, EVERY SINGLE ONE. Just not right for broadway.
Lisa Brescia makes Amneris the blonde very well. Her vocals are great too, she sings so effortlessly, almost as if she was just talking. She also brings Amneris on her journey from realizing the situations around her, then acting upon them while still being true to her heart and her country. Very well done.
Eric LaJuan Summers as Mereb was great. He acts very well, but I fell he could give more with his voice...maybe it's just that the role isn't written vocally to show the actor off???
Overall a great show, great cast. Go see Ta'Hea, she will amaze you, and Adam is great returning to the role.
GO SEE IT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEFORE IT CLOSES!!!
EDIT: For all the Adam lovers, he hit "will forget" perfectly!
The book is so/so. It can get cheesy in some parts, but overall it isn't too bad. The set was very Disney-esque, but not distracting or overshadowing the show much like the other Disney productions. What really blew me away was the lighting, especially at the end. It added to the mood really well. The mixture of the music, lighting, and the story at the end got me all teary eyed for sure Ok, so the actors:
Ta'Rea Campell is the new Aida standby, and GO SEE HER!!! She is amazing, this girl blew me away. I was looking forward to seeing someone other than a "star" (no offense to those who love Deborah) Ta'Rea gave Aida so much attitude and determination, and showed her sweet side perfectly when with Ramades. This girl has some voice, in "Dance of the Robe" I got multiple chills. "Easy as Life" was so intense. Go see her in this show, she will rock your socks for sure.
Adam Pascal is Adam Pascal. If you're not a fan of his voice you're not going to like him. I personally liked him a lot. He gave Ramades this conceited edge and his voice just adds to that. But he also incorporates this vulnerability that you would think wouldn't happen. Ramades becomes this vulnerable man around Aida, and Adam does this perfectly. During songs with Aida, he sings like he normally does, growly and all, but he uses a softer falsetto type thing that shows off the vulnerable side. Frankly, Adam's falsetto is beautiful.
Micky Dolenz...ugh...he stands there and sings. No emotion, he stands up straight as a board and just sings. His voice isn't anything special at all. The high notes at the end of his songs he holds for a second and does this growly yell, EVERY SINGLE ONE. Just not right for broadway.
Lisa Brescia makes Amneris the blonde very well. Her vocals are great too, she sings so effortlessly, almost as if she was just talking. She also brings Amneris on her journey from realizing the situations around her, then acting upon them while still being true to her heart and her country. Very well done.
Eric LaJuan Summers as Mereb was great. He acts very well, but I fell he could give more with his voice...maybe it's just that the role isn't written vocally to show the actor off???
Overall a great show, great cast. Go see Ta'Hea, she will amaze you, and Adam is great returning to the role.
GO SEE IT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEFORE IT CLOSES!!!
EDIT: For all the Adam lovers, he hit "will forget" perfectly!
Updated On: 7/28/04 at 12:51 PM
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