AIDA @ Fullerton Civic Light Opera

Is anyone going to see this show? They always do pretty good productions.

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If I lived there I would want to see it...please give a review when you see it...I want to know how it went.

Did you see Once On The Island also?

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Man...I wanna know how that show went...I like the music to Once On This Island...did you see Miss Saigon?

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I did see Miss Saigon. However, I watched the DVD of it. None the less, it was great.

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My friend is the Set Decorator for the AIDA at FCLO. I have worked with many people there as well as know them, including the recent Ovation Award Nominee for Costumes for MISS SIAGON! There shows a pretty good, but I heard today that they were having some scene transition problems (but I am sure as they run the show it will smooth out). Also, there shows are pretty good...don't expect this to be anything close to the Broadway version. I heard the Disney had limitations to what they can use and build for any regional show that is doing AIDA. Including "The swimming pool" scene...where "My Strongest Suit" is sung in. According to the producers, the AMAZING visual that was used on Broadway was not legal allowed to be produced, because Disney said NO!

We will see how it goess...

Joviekool

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Set designs are often copyrighted.

What are they doing instead of the swimming pool?

Whoa, sorry that I'm so late on this, but yes, they record their shows...but only for cast/crew. :-/ I got it from the company's crew captain, whom we are close friends with. (He's taking my mom, my grandma, and I backstage when we all go! *squee*)

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According to this article, Kelli Fournier(Thacker) who played Amneris in the Disney touring company, will be reprising her role in the Fullerton Civic Light Opera production of Aida.

http://www.cychron.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/09/4349e0b36211c

Anyone who sees this production is in for a real treat because Kelli, was for my money, the very best of all the actresses to play Amneris in the original Disney production. And that includes Sherie Renee Scott.

Kelli's such a talented singer and comedienne that I couldn't understand why we hadn't heard anything from her for a while. I guess the fact that she now performs under the last name of Thacker, would explain why googling her former professional name, presented no results.

I hope the fact that she hasn't been appearing in sitcoms and movies these past two years (which she stated was her goal), is because she chose to take a break to start a family and NOT because producers were too dumb to hire her.

Updated On: 10/16/05 at 04:48 PM

Me too! When does it close? If it's any good, I'd like to purchase tickets for my relatives out in Brea.

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Yes...

If anyone does see the show, please provide us with a review!

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Eep, I forgot to post this the other day. Bear with me, I'm not very good at writing reviews...

Jamila Ajibade (Aida) and Kelli Thacker (Amneris) were FABULOUS!
I loved Kelli as Amneris - she was hilarious, and I guess the rest of the audience thought so, too, based on the reaction she was getting. “My Strongest Suit” was one of the highlights of the show.

Jamila has a phenomenal voice, and played Aida very well. Her Aida lacked the attitude that had previously been brought to the role; instead, her Aida was much…wiser I guess you could say. I have to mention the ensemble here, who were amazing. “Dance of the Robe” and “The Gods Love Nubia” stuck out as being some of the better numbers because of the strength of the voices.

The only thing that was sort of disappointing for me was Chris Warren Gilbert's portrayal of Radames. He can definately sing, but sometimes his voice was too powerful and drowned out the other leads. I had a hard time liking his Radames as a character --he made Radames too much like “Gaston,” and I had a hard time believing that the character fell fell for Aida.

One thing that bothered me was that the Elaborate Lives reprise was cut. Besides being one of my favorite moments in the show, I think it effectively draws the show to a close. Without that piece, the ending seemed very abrupt and quite rushed.

Some of the line deliveries felt a bit rushed, but overall, the show was solid, and I really enjoyed it.

^^ Words out of my mouth! Of everything to cut, why one of the most emotional points of the show? There were so many other songs that could've been cut or abridged instead (i.e. How I Know You Reprise, a portion of Build Another Pyramid...since it's not the Rowley design, surely the fashion show portion of Strongest Suit could've been cut as well??)!

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I saw the show last night and it was great. I totally agree about Chris Warren Gilbert...he has a good singing voice, but not the best Radames (onetheskyway you were right on the money with the Gaston comment!!!). Jamila Abijade and Kelli Thacker were outstanding and My Strongest Suit was probably the best number in the show.
The Elaborate Lives reprise was in, so I don't know if it was previously cut and then put back in or what. This was my first time at FCLO and I was very happily suprised that it was as good as any touring company I've seen. Definitley worth seeing if you live or are here visiting!