Aida Opinons

[Cabarob]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 9:17pm

I'm directing a production of Aida this summer (at a community theatre) and I wanted to get a few opinions on something. I asked to do this show because a)I have been making it a point of bringing newer shows to this theatre in addition to the classics and b)I was hoping to attract a larger group of African American actors to this theatre so we can do more shows that need diverse casts. I've done everything I can think of to spread awareness that we're doing this show everywhere. My question is this: If I don't get enough African American actors (who can handle the roles - I don't want to cast on looks alone)do I cast it racially incorrect and still do it (possibly altering the museum concept to allow this - perhaps using a concept of actors putting it on for kids, etc)or do I cancel the show? I've seen a few professional productions (and many high schools) do it without any African Americans and the contract from MTI does not state that it's required. But would I just be butchering the show if I don't have any African American actors?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 9:31pm

Aida doesn't need to be African-American. Some Egyptians are Caucasian.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 9:34pm

Nubians are not Caucasian.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 9:39pm

I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 9:44pm

I would say if you got AT LEAST the lead Nubians to be Black you could get away with having the Nubian ensemble being caucasian

[musicalbluemirror]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 9:47pm

i agree as long as you have african leads you should be fine
if im correct there were white ensemble members on broadway

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 9:53pm

I don't think race should really matter. The contrast between Egyptians and Nubians can be achived through costumes. Also, if you're interested in different concepts, I saw a production that used kids during "Every Story is a Love Story" instead of the actors playing the leading couple.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 10:59pm

For me personally, I would say Aida, Nehebka and her Father should be African-American. You could get away with Mereb being "ethnic". I've seen it done that way and it was pretty good. I don't think I would attend a production if I knew that everyone in the cast was white.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:19pm

I agree that you could mix the chorus. Look for a variety that could pass or be transformed into non-caucasian actors, but stick to African Americans for the leads for beliveabilty.

AIDA is a "love it or hate it" kind of show. I "liked" it very much on Broadway and the Bd'w tour starring British actor Paulette Ivory.

However, there was a dreadful non-equity production making the rounds a few years back.

Do your homework on the time period in which this piece was written and be true to it with costumes, sets and choreography. The NE tour had GAP clothes, call girl dancing and plastic mops and buckets.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/31/09 at 11:32pm

I disagree. I say read the book detailing the shows history. Elton and the creators conceived the show as a more modern rock concert and the music reflects that. It should be a mix of a traditional Egyptian palate, but with a very modern influence just like on Broadway. Bob Crowley's sets and costumes were brilliant. I wouldn't deviate too far from that if I were directing. There's a difference between reinventing a piece and completely destroying the authors original intent.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 12:21am

I agree with whomever said that Aida and her father absolutely need to be black. I think you could get away with an ethnic Nehebka (since it's such a small role). I think it would be extremely laughable to listen to a white Aida try to sing those songs.

Have you thought about advertising your auditions in black churches, or contacting the choir directors of those churches? That might be an interesting way to attract talented singers (which is all the ensemble needs to be).

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 12:24am

Yeah, stick to a more time period appropriate look. The show's book is muddled enough without tying in too many modern aspects to confuse the audience.

I agree that as long as Aida and her dad are black, you'll be fine. I think the local production I saw had a nearly all-white ensemble, but Nebheka, Aida, Aida's Father, and Mereb were black. It was fine.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 12:40am

A local high school did Aida with an all-white cast, but I didn't see it. My friend saw it and liked it, but he wasn't familiar with the show at all.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 12:58am

white people do the Wiz all the time... there's no use in fighting anymore...just cast white people

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 11:14am

It really depends on the direction and design. I don't know why the Broadway production felt compelled to cast along racial lines. The visual aspect of ancient Egypt was pretty much abandoned the moment the story flashed back out of the museum. There were hints and suggestions of Egyptian symbology and silhouettes, but nothing that indicated anything remotely historically accurate. The layering of modern sets, lighting, music and VERY contemporary performances by several leads created a rather messy heterogeneous show, so more racially diverse casting would not have been out of place in the least.

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 11:33am

Back in high school we did a production of Aida, and our Aida was as pale as a ghost. I just don't think it captured the full impact of the story.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 11:39am

How ironic. I saw a production of "Aida" earlier this month done by the local performing arts high school. As suggested before Aida, Nehebka, King Amonasro, and Mereb were all played by Africa-American performers. The ensemble was mixed, but still predominantly white. The ensemble doubled as Nubians and Egyptians depending on the scene.

I thought it worked fine. Although, I did make a comment to my companion during "The Gods Love Nubia" about the "whiteness" of the Nubians. That was the only spot where I really thought it was apparent. However, the show was well received by the audience and I didn't hear anyone else make similar comments.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/1/09 at 3:45pm

It should be a mix of a traditional Egyptian palate, but with a very modern influence just like on Broadway.

Cats, as my memory serves me there were no "modern influences" IE: cast dressed in jeans and tops, dance scenes from a Vegas productions, soldiers with automatic weapons, in the midst of all this Egyptian heritage and tradition. Sadly, the current productions feature all this and more.

Between that and the great sets Disney put together, it was really enjoyable. (not to mention the cast!)