I thought the majority of the design was beautifully simple, abstract and effective like most of his work.
I usually love Crowley's work and there were some visually lovely moments in Aida, but on the whole, it was like the entire creative team didn't meet until after opening night. One thing I'll never understand was the specific intentional use of the museum bookending the show. Why make such a literal reference to ancient Egypt and then "flash back" to sci-fi disco Egypt? It was all over the place. Sure, the swimming pool and fashion show were campy fun, but then you get to the laser "pyramid" (It's a love triangle! get it?!?!) and the "prison" consisting of 70s optical art with painted cowering black men floating around in it and I have no idea why Egypt or Nubia are really relevant to the setting any more. Headley did blow the roof off the joint when she sang, but her schmacting was either mumbled or affected with bizarre INFLECTIONS of DRAMATIC IMPORTANCE. Pascal did a fine job of playing Roger in sci-fi disco Egypt. Sheri Renee Scott pretty much was the entire show for me. Her performance was perfection and she made me forget that I was supposed to be taking the show way too seriously for what it was.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian