Thoughts on "Aida" at Westchester Dinner Theatre- Page 2

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 5:55pm

Yeah Oasis, we figured out the "I Command You" line was supposed to be said but was cut off by that "damned soldier."

It's nice to hear a perspective from someone who obviously has a lot more experience with the Broadway show than I do. I mean, the only Aida I ever saw was Schele Williams, so I couldn't compare Roz to any of the people you mentioned. Adam was my Radames, and Felicia Finley was quite good as Amneris.

I will agree Stephanie was the weakest link of the 3 if you're going to pick one. I didn't think she was bad, but there are always different aspects people look for.

Oh, and I too really liked Carla as Nehebka. Very small role, but she did a good job(and looked a lot like my high school's Nehebka).

Em, it's probably best to go in with "meh" expectations. It's likely you won't end up disappointed with those expectations, and leave open the possibility of being pleasantly surprised. If you went in with high expectations, it would be much more likely you'd be disappointed.

Ooh Oasis, my mom got that chicken. She really liked it too.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:13pm

I can probably handle "okay." I mean, I saw Adam -- who... okay, it depends who you ask. For me, he was it -- and his standby, who is a talented guy but was a dreadful Radames.

For me, while there are obviously little nuances I would look for, I don't think Radames is the toughest of the three parts by any measure. I mean, he's not ALL that complex or analysis worthy.I think I just have a tendency to get kind of bugged if they don't sound the way I like or if they don't play certain scenes the way I like to see them... moreso than getting hung up on "good" versus "bad." I hate that I do that, because it's going to make me grumble through a lot of stuff, but at some point I need to learn that everyone in the world doesn't care how Adam Pascal waved his hands when he talked about sailing, and just get past that.

But if I go in expecting him not to be the definitive, then I chances are I'll at least be pleased.

Anyway, I think I'll talk to my parents about coming with me to see it. They both really like the show.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:23pm

Sounds like a plan

I was on the side so I think the back of Aida was in my way, so I couldn't tell you for sure if Radames waves his hands in Enchantment Passing Through

Though I'm not sure if this is what you meant, I do think Radames is the toughest role. Like I said, I think of all, he's the most underwritten and therefore a lot more is required of the actor to make the character believable. You might have meant toughest another way, like analysis-worthy maybe.

Who was the standby you saw?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:26pm

But if you didn't hear the line, it wouldn't have made any sense!

I think Aida is the role with the most depth. Amneris is probably tough because you have to NAIL that comedy, but not be such a shallow ditz that people hate you and don't give a damn when your entire world comes crashing down. Radames it just your standard hot hero guy, sort of. He has to play that change of heart really well, but he's the least complex of the three, because he's so underwritten.

Richard Blake. He was Link in Hairspray pretty recently.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 8:57pm

Good point on the line

Hmm, I do agree with what you are saying. I guess I'm just thinking of it another way--that a complex role is the easiest to pull off because as long as an adequate job as done, the character is conveyed quite well, whereas if the character is underwritten I think it gives the actor a tougher job. However, I can understand the viewpoint that the actor having to convey more complexity has the tougher job. Hmm...

Ooh. I didn't like him in Hairspray. Until I saw another actor play Link, I found his relationship with Traci totally unbelievable, and throw in the underwrittenness(?) of Radames...ouch.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:12pm

Richard Blake was my first Radames.

I thought he was good.

Updated On: 2/20/06 at 10:12 PM