Any news on the AIDA TOUR!!! — Page 4

Saw the show tonight in IL and loved it. Not crazy about all of the restaging and different set (I really didn't like "Another Pyramid"), but, truthfully, after "My Strongest Suit", I didn't notice too many differences.

All three leads - Aida, Radames, and Amneris - had wonderful voices. Truthfully, Casey (Radames) had one of the best male voices I've ever heard. Marja (Aida) also is in my top voices heard live. I was so excited whenever a song Aida sang in started - I truly could have listened to her sing anything.

The weakest link was by far Radames' father. Any time he had to hold a note out it was sharp. Very painful to listen to. He was also very awkward in his movement and not a strong actor. I also wasn't a huge fan of Mereb - he had a great voice, but was not a very good actor and almost looked uncomfortable being onstage.

The ensemble was amazing. An extremely talented cast all around! I talked to the 3 leads after the show and each was extremely thankful and willing to talk with everyone and take pictures. I would DEFINITLEY recommend seeing this show! To hear the leads' amazing voices is enough of a reason, but the whole production is great!

I will cover the tour for BWW on 10/18 on it's stop at Commerce Arts Bank Center, Sewell, NJ. I assume this is the same touring cast. (I've been in and out of town and not paid much attention to details). But I'll be there to cover next week.

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Glad you liked it. I'm afraid I don't share your enthusiam. Can't help feeling that if you liked what director Gayle Edwards did to Jesus Christ Superstar you'll like what this director did with AIDA.

I will be writing up a review this weekend for BWW.

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Found a website that has 3 songs from the Aida Tour cast, so you can hear all three leads.

http://www.broadwayinknoxville.com/aida.php

Hope you guys enjoy these, I did. They're AWESOME!

Updated On: 10/20/06 at 12:32 PM

those songs are pretty good, although abviously recorded live. I wonder how they got permission to put those on the website. it would be neat if they had all of the songs available to download since someone obviously has them all recorded.

Updated On: 10/25/06 at 03:58 PM

I'm going on December 29th in Baltimore. :)

I saw the production of Aida at the N. Charleston (SC) Performing Arts Center last night, Wednesday, November 15. Having seen the original cast on Broadway and a very strong road production several years ago, I have at least some basis for comparison.

First, words are inadequate to describe how painful it was to watch DJ Rudd in the role of Zoser. He was awkward, wooden and completely out of sync with the rest of the performance. His singing voice is quite frankly excruciating to listen to. I can not recall another instance in 30 yrs of musical theatre that I felt so compelled to throw rotten produce at a performer. It was simply awful. It's curious that Mr. Rudd's headshot is the only one missing from the Aida tour website. I imagine taht he fears reprisals from public recognition. (I certianly would.) His bio indicates that his favorite role is as "father to Chrissy". He should really focus all of his time on that role rather than subject any additional members of the public to his version of Zoser. (or any other character role that is required to sing, speak, dance or move.) I'm really not kidding. It was that bad. Our group of six attendees at the performance simply could not believe that Mr. Rudd manages to make a living at this, let alone that others might actually place him in a position to do so. I'll stop now but I understand that I'll be sitting her in slack-jawed amazement at the utter improbability Mr. Rudd's continued employment as a performer. I imagine that it's a good thing that he rarely performs in the same place for more than 2 nights in a row.

As for the rest of the production, it was adequate but a pale shadow of the original. Marja Harmon was the only real standout in the cast but her somewhat muddy vocals often made it difficult to understand many of the lyrics. Leah Allers, while lacking in vocal power, actually surprised me in the second act with a moving performance after what amounted to a silly, amateurish performance in the first act. Casey Elliott has a strong voice but lacks any vocal finesse and created a version of Radames that reminded me more of a drunken frat boy on holiday rather than a proud and able captain and warrior.

Finally, the "whole world out of time", "machine guns & plastic mop buckets" modernized set design is jarringly mis-thought. Perhaps the director/producers/set designers watched the movie version of JC Superstar a few too many times? Pyramids, Egypt & Nubia at war, Kings, Pharaohs, Princesses, sailing vessels & slaves in copper mines just don't jibe with modern weaponry and lap dancing. Still, I only mention this as an afterthought... with monumental effort, I could dismiss these misguided details... But the agony of DJ Rudd's performance remains... oh the horror... the horror.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from seeing the show. It's still a nice evening of entertainment and there are shining moments which are worthwhile. But don't leave the theatre thinking that you've really seen Aida as it should be performed. At the very least, buy the original broadway cast soundtrack so that you can truly appreciate the way it should sound. (Tony winner Heather Headley has a voice that will move you to tears and raise the hair on the back of your neck!)

And perhaps send an email to the producers at generalinfo@bigleague.org if you agree that DJ Rudd (Zoser) needs to find a new occupation.

I agree with spayment on DJ Rudd. I cringed everytime he opened his mouth...

I'm going to see it Jan. 4th, 5th row Orchestra! Soo excited = )

I'm going to see it Dec 14 in Syracuse!

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jesus christ...get some class.

Gosh Joey, That is quite a thoughtful and well constructed argument you've put together there. Your mum must be so proud. Do you have a differing opinion or are you strictly limited to monosyllabic insults?

Respectfully,
Shawn


Joeyrj23
Swing
joined: 4/1/05 Rudd-erly Horrible!
Posted On: 12/8/06 at 12:23:57 AM

jesus christ...get some class.

count me in as one who had great seats to the Baltimore opening, blah.