Anyone have any media (sound, picture, video) of either of these ladies in AIDA? thanks
Hey parislover. :)
you can download "Easy as Life" by Toni.
well, both of them looked amazing as Aida.....
So what do we think of Michelle?
I've heard recordings of Toni that I didn't really care for. but I've never really liked her voice. but I do second Clarky on his statment :p (I LOVE Michelle though). I haven't been able to get ahold of her stuff though.
When Michellle was in the show, some sort of CD was released and available at the theatre, but I'm not 100% sure if it included anything from the show. I know Deborah Cox recorded a remix, but for some reason I think she might have, too.
Regardless, yes, both of them looked beautiful, but that was about it. You've missed nothing by not hearing them. Save your ears. Don't bother.
Understudy Joined: 9/4/05
I really disliked Michelle Williams as "Aida", and I went in there hoping for the best.
I went in there expecting the worst with Toni Braxton, and that's exactly what I got.
Michelle Williams does not sing very well, I've never heard her as Aida but her voice is very scratchy and hard to listen too.
The CD they were selling was probably her solo album, or one with Destiny's Child.
edit:she's from my hometown, and I think she's overrated.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
Deborah Cox has three remixes I think.
Maybe more.
She was great!
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
Saw them both.
It took me almost the entire first verse of "The Past Is Another Land" to realize there wasn't a dog in the theatre, but that the really low, awkward barking sound was actually Braxton's singing voice. She actually got really into the finale and cried through most of the tomb closing, which was surprising.
Michelle T., as everyone said, wasn't particularly a revelation in the role, but I loved her and don't think she gets whatever little credit she deserves.
Her acting wasn't any better or worse than Toni's, but her vocals were far better. Say what you want about the rest of her performance, but she's a gospel singer and I thought her "Dance of the Robe" and, especially, her "Gods Love Nubia" were awesome. She definitely surprised my friend and I when she pulled out the F (and for those of you who didn't see Michelle, but have managed to hear her... she usually held it).
The rest of her performance, I was pretty much waiting for Beyonce to just walk onstage and take over, but for those two songs (maybe even "Easy as Life," too) she had our full attention.
She cried through everything. So, you know, crying when she was DYING was only natural!
I really wish they had Beyonce as Aida!!! She could definitely sing the hell out of the role I think! And btw, i think both Toni and Michelle looked GORGEOUS in the role!
As others have said...both LOOKED gorgeous, but that was about it.
You really don't want to hear either one of them attempt to sing the songs. They had to lower all the keys for Toni, and the songs didn't have nearly as much power or punch that way. Michelle sang the songs in the proper key, but her notes were screechy and forced. Both were horrenous actresses.
The one "star" who worked in that show was Deborah Cox, who was AMAZING.
I never understood why Disney didn't stunt cast Amneris instead (save for the Taylor Dayne fiasco). It would seem to me that's a lot easier to stick a "star" into. Let Aida be played by one of the pros. Heck, even Radames could be stunt cast (and there was lots of talk about bringing Bon Jovi in for a while)
by the way, I know this is offtopic, but what happened to Toni Braxton? Her career is like goin downhill right now, or what is goin on?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/10/04
i mean, yes, they lowered all the keys and toni did not sound too good. however, i thought her acting was great, and i walked out of the theatre not minding so much because i believed her as an actress, so i didn't nearly care as much about her as a singer.
i have heard nothing but the highest of praise (people who saw both even said she was better than heather... i don't know about that...). i wonder if she'll decide to do any future theatre?
If I recall correctly, before Toni Braxton was in the role she did a show on VH1 or something about the birth of her second child (?). I think they showed her doing some rehearsal stuff for Aida... DREADFUL. I turned off the show and haven't like Toni since. Save your ears is right!
i saw Aida for the 1st time with Toni and i thought she was brilliant. Then i saw Deborah Cox and i liked Toni way better...Toni's voice is unique, Deborah was good but it could have been Deborah or any other singer and i wouldn't have noticed the difference....i thought Deborah's understudies Tarea Campbell and Saycon were better than her.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
You would.
And yes, Saycon is better. But she's a theatre actress/singer.
Updated On: 12/16/05 at 02:17 PM
Saycon was my favorite.
All of Toni's crying totally killed the tougher edge that Aida is supposed to have. A horrible performance. Didn't see Michelle and am not losing sleep over that fact.
Heather Headley remains, to this day, the only person who can do the part justice.
"You *sniffle* forget *sob* that I *sob* am her property *cry* now *WAIL!*"
Saycon was ASTOUNDING in that role. She was my first (and only) Aida...and I'm grateful for it!
I will say that Saycon was quite good.
The night I saw Toni, she cried so much during "Easy as Life" that I could barely understand a word she said.
Em-LOL!
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