Nikki Renee Daniels as Aida at Artpark- Page 2

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 4:09pm

www.artpark.net

there is a pic on the main page and just click on "The Tony and grammy award winning love story...." and then there are two more at the bottom of that page.

http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/arttheater/story/134606.html

also some photos (not show photos) on that link above.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 8/10/07 at 4:15pm

She's wonderful and I loved her when I saw her as 'Belle' in "Beauty & the Beast".

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 8/12/07 at 4:27pm

I saw this show last night and it was fantastic!

CHEERS to the whole company for putting on a well-performed, well-sung, and well-paced show!

Particularly wonderful (and somewhat surprising to me!) were the performances of Jacqueline Bayne as Amneris, Michael Hunsaker as Radames and Nikki Daniels is Aida! All of the vocals and acting were in top form!

Nikki was GREAT! "Elaborate Lives" was beautiful, and the "God's Love Nubia" ensemble number She led was the highlight of the evening!

Jacqueline Bayne was fun during "My Strongest Suit" and I liked her all night. I had never heard of Michael Hunsacker before, but His voice was terrific on every song He sang! In particular, His duets with Aida were spot on!

The only "weak points"(character-wise)for me were the two fathers. This is OK, I guess, for Amneris' father, who is only on stage for about 2 scenes, but Radames' father, on the other hand, has to sing a couple songs and is one of the main anotagonists in the plot. Played here by David Weitzer, with little emotion, "Another Pyramid" just did not have the energy it should have. He wasn't as evil or as "fatherly" as He should have been, in my opinion. Fortunately, there was so much else GOOD going on that these charactres were easily overshadowed!

Technically, the stage looked great, and chancges flowed smoothly. The sound from both the pit and the stage was crystal clear - a surprise for that cavernous venue! Lighting cues were a bit slow at times, but the overall design of stage and set were both colorful and well done!

What a pleasant surprise my introduction to AIDA turned out to be! For all those in the area, I highly recommend getting to ARTPARK to see it for a wonderfull evening out!

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 8/12/07 at 5:14pm

OOPS....meant to include that the reminaing productions are:
Aug. 16 at 2 and 8 PM, Aug. 17 and 18 at 8 PM and Aug. 19 at 2 PM.

Here is a review of the show from the Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/arttheater/story/138211.html

'Aida' : A royal treasure
Artpark strikes perfect balance in production of ‘Aida’

BY COLIN DABKOWSKI - News Staff Reviewer
Updated: 08/10/07 11:38 AM

LEWISTON -- In the epic opening number of “Aida,” the dazzling diva-princess Amneris makes a bold statement. For her, every story is about love, “new or ancient, bagatelle or work of art.”

And there could be no better introduction to “Aida” itself, a musical poised smack in the middle of old and edgy and comfortably situated between masterpiece and pop indulgence. Happily for all concerned, Artpark’s glimmering production of the show positions itself firmly toward the bagatelle end of the spectrum, but it’s a glorious bagatelle to behold and a triumph for the venue’s summer musical theater program.

A power-pop assemblage of songs by the persistent Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice weaved with elaborate sets and a story loosely based on the famous opera, “Aida” takes us on a whimsical, humorous and often poignant journey through a nondescript historical period in ancient Egypt. Aida, a Nubian slave princess, is brought into captivity under the hunky Egyptian warrior Radames, whose wanderlust and discontent with his fiancee (the Egyptian princess Amneris) eventually lead to a fateful love triangle.

The strength of the show rides, as it should, primarily on the shoulders of its four leads. The standout in this group is Nikki Renee Daniels, an experienced actor whose chops and obvious comfort in the role made for song after song of assured tear-wrenching vocal performances. Her delivery of the pretty ballad “Easy as Life” was a brilliant and powerful testament to her talent.

As Radames, the buff and confident Michael Hunsaker delivers some impressive chops of his own, and soaring duets between Radames and Aida account for some of the best moments in the show.

Jacqueline Bayne, as Amneris, delivers a delicious interpretation of the smarmy and selfinvolved princess and shines brightly in numbers such as “My Strongest Suit” and the darker and more introspective “I Know the Truth.”

Director Randy Kramer, along with set designer Eric Appleton, have taken a somewhat more traditional aesthetic approach to the show than previous incarnations on Broadway, incorporating Egyptian statues and set pieces adorned with hieroglyphics instead of uber-expensive and flashy installations. This works well alongside Lynne Kurdziel- Formato’s choreography , which is almost always fresh and ebullient.

That is, except in John’s abysmal song “Another Pyramid” (sung by the able and menacing David Weitzer) in the first act, in which the company of dancers, clad in black-and-red costumes, execute clunky and unbecoming dance moves that might be more at home in a Devo video than a Disney musical. Fortunately, this number is tucked well toward the beginning of the show, so its effect has time to wear off in time to enjoy the much better final two-thirds of the show.

That’s all the better to enjoy the grand and epic numbers “The Gods Love Nubia” (a great gospel tune), “Elaborate Lives” (trademark Elton John at its best) and “Written in the Stars” (a short but sweet trio among the starcrossed lovers).

In fact, there’s not much about Artpark’s “Aida” that isn’t epic or impressive in scope. And that is as it should be.•

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WHAT: “ Aida”
WHEN: Opened Thursday night and runs through Aug. 19
WHERE: Artpark Mainstage Theater, 450 S. Fourth St., Lewiston
TICKETS: $ 22.50 to $ 39.50 ( box office, Tickets. com)
INFO: 754- 4375 or www.artpark.net