AIDA again! 8.25 Matinee

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:32pm

Okay. Where to begin... Wow.

Last time I went, it was all about seeing Adam. I tried to make today more about the show itself, to begin to get some closure. It's time to start getting ready to say goodbye. I love the show more and more every time, even though now I'm almost to the point where I know the entire thing by heart. I made extra certain this time to just take everything in one last time, as if I were seeing it for the first time - to pay attention not just to the actors, but to every single beat of the music, to the lights and the sets and just to the pure magic in general. The audience was wonderful today, which made me really happy. You could tell that there were a lot of first-timers in the audience; they laughed at every joke, applauded a ton and all went "oooooh" in perfect time when Amneris came out before "I Know the Truth." It was great to see such enthusiasm from the audience and to hear great reactions, but at the same time it just made me more upset that it's really closing. I still don't believe it. I cried through most of the second act... probably a combination of the story (it always makes me cry) and the realization that it's actually almost over.

Anyway, I know I just "reviewed" the show a few weeks ago, and since most of the cast is the same, I won't go into full-fledged detail again, but I'll share a few things.

I have to say SOMETHING about my baby, but I'll try to keep it short. He was even better this time... just seemed even more comfortable, and took a few more chances in terms of his acting - better facial expressions, etc. He looks great, sounds great, as always... I guess my only complaint was "will forget." He sure didn't hit it, but he didn't really crack it either. I guess the best way to describe the sound he made was to say that he squeaked. It was actually sort of funny. But really, it was as wonderful as ever to see him up there. Sometimes, it still blew my mind to think that it was really him.

The only cast change since I last when was for Aida. I had seen Saycon last time and I saw Ta'rea Campbell today. Wow. I like her A LOT.... some voice on that girl. Her chemistry with Adam isn't as good as Saycon's was, but the two of them had been working together for a while, so it's understandable. Ta'rea is still the new girl. Her acting was also a bit shaky at points, but not bad. A lot of her acting choices were very different from Saycon's, but I can't necessarily say they were "better" or "worse." Saycon played a very quiet, dignified Aida while Ta'rea's was a bit more standoffish and outgoing. But whatever she lacked in acting she definitely made up for with that voice. I was INCREDIBLY impressed.

One last random thing: When Lisa came out from behind the wall to sing "I Know the Truth," she had a hand-held microphone - I was rather puzzled. I thought "Hmm... this is new! I wonder what's up." Her mic had kind of been buzzing a little bit early in the show, so I figured something had gone wrong. She did the entire number with the mic, and the costume change was rather awkward because of it, but not too horrible. I met Lisa after the show and asked her what was going on. She said her mic cut out, so they had to give her the hand-held one at the last minute. She was just so adorable. She said she was absolutely freaking out and was so nervous about how it was all going to work, especially with the costume change. She said she was trembling when they made her go on with it! I told her not to worry, and that she was fantastic anyway. She was very sweet.

Okay... I guess that's all about the show. It'll have to be, because I'm very close to bursting into tears again. I met Adam before, but I know that not everyone wants to read about that, so I'll post details about the escapade Off-Topic on the Adam Pascal thread. I will say that he told me Civilian is due out November 2nd, so yay for that.

Alright, if you were able to bear with me, thanks for reading!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:34pm

GREAT review!

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:36pm

So heartfelt about the show closing. Aww.. *hugs* And thanks.

[MadeofGold]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:40pm

Thanks for the fantastic review and so glad you got to meet up with AG see Adam before the show! :)

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:52pm

Awwww, Emcee! I know that it was hard for you, but I'm glad you got to see it again. Are you going to see it one last time or not?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:55pm

MNIL, I'm going to try - probably at least once more.
I think going back again and again is making it harder for me, but I'll be okay. All good things must come to an end. I just won't be happy about it.

[adamized88]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:57pm

thanks for posting - i went in july but it's as close as i'm going to get to seeing it one more time!!

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:00pm

I'm really happy for you, Emcee, but at the same time I also feel sorry for you. I know what it's like to lose a show. That's how I felt when Les Miz closed last year. You'll pull through.

But I'm so glad you had a great time, and I hope you get to go back once more.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:02pm

Picutre me sitting alone in my dorm room, dressed in all black, reading my book and playing my CD in tears on 9/5. Then come to my school and give me a big hug.

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:03pm

Any updates on possibly getting Tanya Harding to do a number on Mickey Dolenz so we can have the Pyramid song done properly for the closing? Properly meaning actually sung and sung well.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:04pm

lol! I ranted enough about him last time I saw the show. He is trying, but Another Pyramid made me want to hurl myself through a window.

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:06pm

I didn't think his "Another Pyramid" was that bad! But this is coming from one who has only seen AIDA once...

[adamized88]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:07pm

fortunatly i missed him - his understudy was awesome though - second only to the beloved origingal zoser!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:07pm

And this is coming from someone who misses John Hickock VERY badly.

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:09pm

What was so bad about him? I thought was just fine, vocally. Mediocre. But not bad.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:09pm

I am, too. I know I shouldn't do it. I know I shouldn't do it. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

[bronxboundexpress]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:11pm

When is his understudy in? I have to see it with him! I have to have to have to.

[zoran912]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:25pm

I saw the OBC and the 2nd Touring cast. Both were amazing, especially the OBC. I'm sad to see this show go.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:54pm

"I didn't think his "Another Pyramid" was that bad!"

Oh yes, it is

QM

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:00am

C'mon people, all I hear is "He was bad." That's not a very good answer! Why do you dislike him so?

BTW, I love your signature QM. Nice to see another Closer to Heaven fan. Updated On: 8/26/04 at 12:00 AM

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:04am

Well, thank you. I do agree, although I would not say he was terrible. I just found his voice a bit grating. I thought that he didn't sound very professional, and I kept wishing they would hire him a new voice teacher or SOMETHING.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:09am

Ok, so why is Micky so bad:

1) I think he doesn't sing... that's probably because he CAN'T sing. He talks his way through the songs. And if he doesn't talk he screams.

2) He always has this smirk on his face which I find annoying! Yes, he is meant to be a bad boy but remember good old John... now he was scary without smirking!

3) Every Zoser understudy I have seen so is really great at directing the dancers during Another Pyramid... that's what Zoser is meant to be doing. But Micky is just doing these weird moves. You totally miss the point that he is meant to be directing his 'architects'.


Undiscovered, FRIDAY ROLL ON!!!! I need my fix (I'm sure you do too)!!! Well, I've almost had a bit of an overdose but hey, last two weeks!!!

QM

PS. I thought Closer To Heaven was fantastic. There are so many quotes that crack me up.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:09am

"sounds like a nasal cartoon character"

He looks like a cartoon character too.

Let me see if I can dig up my old review to see what I wrote about him.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:10am

Undiscovered was quicker!!! As always

QM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:11am

From my last AIDA review:

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.