As long as my first review was, I wasnt finished. There is so much more I want to say about a show so good. So here it goes. Again bare with me.
From the moment Eric walks out on stage he befriends the audience. He is gentle, spirited, good natured, rescilliant, and resourceful. He is a wonderful Mereb and was so glad that he was the actor to close the show in the role. He was the only one I have ever seen in the role, but i feel he was perfect for it. It is almost indescribable. He is so gentle on stage and it carries through to his vocals. People often criticize this as not being powerful enough but I love it. It just adds so much depth to the character. During"How I Know You" the kindess of and the spirit of him shined through. It is that, that makes you fall in love with him. Everytime he dies at the end, my heart breaks. The last performance was no different. I sat there going, "No! this is the last time i am going to see you die!" He told me at the stage door that all during ACT 11, he and Deborah coudn't look at each other or they would both break down on stage. He had tears in his eyes while saying this. I can tell that he brings much of himself into the character, which is why, I believe, he was so great in it. (PS - that boy can dance! During Dance of the Robes he joins in with the rest of the ensemble but he does a splendid job.)
Speaking of the ensemble, they are truely the unsung heros in this show. They tackle so many different characters and in so little time. They shined on the last performance. During Fortune Favors the Brave, I have never really noticed the ensemble on the stage, focusing more on Radames, until the the last night. They were so vibratent and engergized that you couldn't help but noticing and enjoying their performances. My Strongest Suit was (as i said in my previous review) was electrifying. But nothing stood out more then "Dance of the Robes" and "Gods of Nubia." Those are two very powerful numbers on a regular night, but this was above and beyond anything I could imagine. I believe the standing ovation was as much for them as it was for Deborah. The lyrics of "Gods..." is so ironic and appropriate. "One more longing backward glance" and "The spirits always burning though the flesh is torn apart". I was in row O of the orchestra, and from back there i could see the pain on their faces, the tears in there eyes, and the love for the show. This was just as much their show as it was Adams, Lisa's, and Deborah's.
Though scattered and divided we are still its heart...AIDA SEPTEMBER 5th, 2004...one more longing backward glance...
I AM NOW "TGIF!"
