Gav sees Fullerton Civic Light Opera's AIDA/The Answer has been found!

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/29/05 at 8:39pm

Scroll all the way down to find out why they cut the Elaborate Lives reprise.

Where to begin...

The costumes weren't thrilling to me. A lot of the costumes are...just not appealing. The sets were good. Not great...but good. I noticed one set (I think the "How I Know You" set) that was particulary amazing. But, the lighting stood out to me more than anything. It was so creative and thrilling. During Radames' Letter, there were tiny spots of lights everywhere that were to respresent fireflies, which was sort of cute.

Okay. On to the actual performance(s).

Kelli Thacker was hilarious and amazing as Amneris. She had this girly quirk (like Amneris has) that really stood out. In my eyes, she stole the show and deserves roles that are bigger than Amneris. Kelli has a great voice as well. I think it showed the most in "My Strongest Suit", a highlight of the show that had the crowd going wild.

Jamile Ajibade was very good and close to all powerful as Aida. Her chemistry with Radames was excellent in my opinion. But, I have noticed that she doesn't have the strongest voice in the world, but she sure can sing.

Chris Gilbert...well, he was okay. I agree with everyone who has seen him--he plays Radames as if he were Gaston. I mean, his voice is fine, but he's a bit too Gastony. Plus, in almost all of his songs, he flailed his arms or made arm motions. I wasn't thrilled with him.

Allen Christopher was a bit over the top as Mereb. But, he did a pretty good job.

Randy Gianetti plays a very evillll Zoser, and I personally loved him.

Even though Amonrasro is a small role, Allan Louis did an excellent job playing him. During his first scene, you could really feel his anger.

Staci Wilson as Nehebka...well, I can say one thing. She has one unique voice.

The ensemble was very powerful. It's hard to believe that all of them except one are Non-Equity because they were so....GOOD.

Highlights of the show: "My Strongest Suit", "A Step Too Far", "Elaborate Lives", "Written in the Stars", "Easy as Life", and the museum scene at the very tail end of the show.

To top it all off, we got to go backstage. *dances* It was sort of cool because we got to look at and touch some of the costumes and sets, as well as props. On the back of one of the props, there is a cute little drawing of King Tut, and it says, "King Tut was here". Ha...

And, on the back of the tomb of Aida and Radames, someone signed it and it said, "I get payed to push this damn thing around." LMAO.

Then came the autographs and meetings of the cast. First came Jamila, which we all did not reconize (sp) at all. She's very sweet, and signed my program.

Next came Kelli, who is very funny and is sweet as sugar. She kept joking with my mom and I, and also signed my program.

We also got autographs from Chris and Randy as well, who were both exhausted, but were able to sign my program. LOL...

In conclusion...

...this was one kick ass show. It has easily become one of my favorite musicals, and this production is excellent. If there are tickets availble for tonight or tomorrow, GO SEE IT. It will not dissapoint you.

On a scale of one to five, I'd give AIDA a four and a half out of five stars.

Now, get yourself over to FCLO.

Updated On: 10/30/05 at 08:39 PM

[iwearshoes]

Posted: 10/29/05 at 8:48pm

See i wasn't a very big fan of Radames and thought that he was just stiff and boring. Why would aida go to the trouble of falling in love w/ him? Amneris was the best of the three though w/o a doubt.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/29/05 at 8:49pm

Yes, Kelli was the best out of three, I certainly agree.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 10/29/05 at 10:36pm

I loved the show. It was very well done, and incredible professional and elaborate for a community theatre. The lighting was super.

I love Kelli Thacker like no other. So awesome.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/29/05 at 10:39pm

I saw the show on Broadway with Simone as Aida, Adamn Pascal as Radames, and Felicia Finley as Amneris. Felicia stole the show, she was amazing. It's a great role.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:35am

Bump

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:40am

hahahaha. It must be an epidemic... Radames flailing.

I'm glad you liked it, gav.

iwearshoes, I think that's what makes or breaks the show. There has to be a REASON for Aida to fall in love with Radames. Radames has to change and break down, because otherwise, what's she got to love? "I mean, he's the enemy!" - Adam Pascal

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:44am

Yeah, he justs...FLAILS. (And does it too much)

We have swept to glory--(flail)
Egypt's mastery expands--(flail)
From the Nile's northern delta--(flail)

Like that.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:46am

Nice image.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:48am

LOL! Well, it was certainly a weird image for me.

Another thing was when he and Aida and Amneris were singing A Step too Far...the girls did not do anything with their arms really...and he flailed at least three times throughout the whole thing. Not only was it weird, but it was annoying, too.

Posted: 10/30/05 at 1:59am

I'm happy to see Kelli getting this positive response. She deserves more opportunities than she is being given. Although, I know she wants to pursue screen or television work, so maybe she's her worst enemy.

The talent speaks for itself, though.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 4:06am

Am I the only person who hates "AIDA" ? I saw the 1st national tour and while it had a very talented cast, I just had to leave at intermission. I found the book to be uninspiring and the music and lyrics to be completely derivative. I loved Elton John's score for Billy Elliot and thought Lion King was quite entertaining but could not warm up to this show at all.

Not commenting on the FCLO cast, but is there someone else in the stratosphere who's not a professional critic who also hated this show?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 9:18am

No, you aren't. Go find the reviews. You're probably in the majority.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 10:25am

Well, Michael got back veryyyy quick. Here is the reason why they cut the Elaborate Lives reprise!

"We cut a couple reprises - just too many ballads, and not absolutely necessary to the plot.

The show was already plenty long enough without them."

Opinions?

[timote316]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 10:29am

Honestly, that is one of the things I dislike about Aida (well, the cast recording). One or more of Aida and Radames' reprises could have been cut. We already know they love each other. We know the songs were pretty. We don't need to hear them again.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 10:56am

Bumpity.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 10/30/05 at 1:27pm

Shiskabumpity.