I am torn between Deborahs Easy as Life and hathers. Both gave me chills. And I would love to see idina do strongest suite again ) I saw her first performance right after September 11)
DSTSocrates: Imagine yourself sitting inside of the Palace Theater - facing the stage. You'd simply exit the theater through the exit to the LEFT of the Orchestra seating. Once you leave that exit, the stage door through which Deborah leaves will be on your RIGHT. You won't miss it - there's usually a guard at the door. GOOD LUCK!!
TheaterMafia: I too love both of those EAL renditions, however because I feel Deborah's vocal control over that last note is a little 'stronger/tighter' than what Heather's was, I'd opt for Deborah to do it.
Basically, after Deborah and the cast take their last bow - head out to the stage door. Just wait patiently by the door...you may actually want to inform the guard that you're waiting/hoping to meet Deborah Cox. He can actually double-check/verify whether or not she'll be coming out. I'm sure (AND PRAY!!) that you won't have any problem!! Oh, and DEFINITELY bring a camera because Deborah has no beef with taking pictures (or giving hugs!!).
NOOOOOOO!!!! Please say it aint so!!! Don't close the show, please....
And how could either of you say Deborah would do a better job on EAL??? I don't think you can get a voice any better than Heather's. She started the show, she should finish the show.
UDJAT: I'm not dissing my girl Heather, for I truly feel her voice is ONE IN A MILLION. However, I've seen/heard Heather perform EAL several hundred times and I still think Deborah is the one who can "bring it on home" with the least amount of effort. Please note that this is not a slight to Heather, for she turned out breath-taking performances of AIDA throughout her entire run.
This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to go see AIDA again before it ends. I'm still trying to get over that. And I will see Heather at the benifit (hope and PRAY she will sing EAL) and compare the 2 performances and I will be back to you 2. I still think Heather will win.
Sorry to hear AIDA is closing but it's only fitting that Deborah is closing out the show. I saw her in February and she was spectacular. I hope Disney releases a DVD compilation or full-lenght feature of Deb's run in the show.
I just read that Adam Pascal will be closing out AIDA as Radames. I've really never cared for Adams voice, I honestly think he sounds constipated all the time. I would prefer that Will Chase finish out the role, however it's quite obvious that Adam is a bigger SUPERSTAR. As for Amneris, I'd have to go with Sherie and then Idina. Idina was great!!! I still think there's hope that Heather will come back for a performance or two...especially since Adam is returning. CROSS YOUR FINGERS!!
It's official, this thread is here for eternity. CRP, I don't think any of the Amneris's were anywhere near as good as Sherie Scott, subsequent to her departure. I thought Idina's acting was very weak. And I found none of the others I saw, to be the least bit comical in the role, which is what Scott was very good at. I think they missed some far better casting opportunities with that role. I'm sure there were also more exciting choices for Radames than Will Chase but Pascal stayed with the role so long that there wasn't a big need to find people to fill his shoes. Let's not even get started with what I think about the way they've cast Aida (Your girl, excluded, of course), since Headley's departure. What a mess.
Yes - this thread will be here until AIDA's revival!! LOL!
Al- I guess I'm a bit biased because Idina was the first person I saw in the role...along with Schele Williams. I've seen Sherie in the role also (not live though) and can definitely see you're coming from - she was the originator and she was truly flawless. And you're right, before Deborah, the casting of AIDA has truly been...questionable...though i did enjoy Simone.
I just spoke with a friend in NYC who saw a news broadcast mentioning the AIDA closing. He stated that the clips they were showing from the show had Toni Braxton in them. I thought to myself, "GREAT! Now everyone will associate the closing of AIDA with Toni Braxton's performance!" LOL!!