Westchester Broadway Theatre- Page 2

[michelle4]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 3:43pm

As someone who was in WBT's production of "Miss Saigon" I am going to have to correct whoever said that our Kim was "not-asian". She certainly is asian and she did a brilliant job in the role of Kim.

Posted: 1/6/06 at 7:58pm

i am glad to hear that. as someone who was also in miss saigon on broadway and on the tour i KNOW FOR A FACT that there is A LOT of talent out there in girls who can play Kim!
thanks for the link. i had no idea sarah litszinger was Ellen! i bet she was amazing!

[Doogie]

Posted: 1/6/06 at 9:18pm

no, no prob, just wanted to make it clear that Aida will be in GREAT, and ethnically correct, hands at WBT.

[NSMTpublicity]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 12:27pm

Since when does AIDA have to be Black? So shouldn't Radames and Amneris be dark skinned too.. they are Egyptian, after all!

I believe in the script it says aida can be played by any actress, of any ethnicity. If not, I know it was a directive by Disney when we developed AIDA: School Edition las summer. Yes, our Aida was black.. but so was our Radames.

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 2:31pm

There have been South Asian and East Asian Aida's in community and regional productions. So no, Disney has not made a stipulation that Aida must be black.

But seeing as how the number of roles that are specifically written for actresses of color are so small, I don't understand why traditional casting isn't used in this instance. After all, Nubia is a black African nation and most Egyptians are Caucasian, although dark-skinned Caucasians. Besides, the element of race that is never mentioned in the play is obvious and aids in defining the psychological conflict between the lovers.

And it's not like you'd have hard time finding qualified black women for the role.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 5:35pm

NSMT - I also saw a production where Radames was black as well. I guess I saw your production.

[RonRogell13]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 12:07pm

Hey everyone! Just to clear a few things up. I work backstage at WBT and have for about 3 years now. YES - Kim in SAIGON IS ASIAN! and yes - AIDA is African-American...the role is played by Roz Moorhead. Radames is played by Eric Sciotto who was the understudy for Radames on Broadway. The food is actually great now! and we have a new sound designer so the sound is excellent! Aida plays through April 29th. It is one of the best shows i have been a part of (along with Saigon). The reviews we are getting have been outstanding! you can see the best ones at our website (www.broadwaytheatre.com)
THe rest of our season looks great, too! After Aida is Barnum, then Hot Mikado, Followed by The Full Monty!
Anybody have any questions, feel free to contact me!

P.S. - hi Michelle!


Westchester Broadway Theatre Updated On: 2/14/06 at 12:07 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 12:09pm

Eric Sciotto. I knew that name sounded familar. Which Radames(es) did he understudy?

If anyone sees AIDA, I'd really appreciate more information and your thoughts. I'm toying with going, but y'all know how I am. I haven't seen it in since closing in NYC, though. So maybe it's time. :)

[RonRogell13]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 12:53pm

he understudied Adam Pascal

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 12:54pm

heh. I thought so. That's nice and ironic.

Anyway, thank you. And there are pictures up on the website now! I like them.

Question for you... is the production doing the written opening, or is it this new thing with the little kids?

Updated On: 2/14/06 at 12:54 PM

[RonRogell13]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 1:04pm

nothing in the score has been changed. the kids hit the stage and Amneris sings as written as soon as they leave. The kids have no lines in the show at all. the difference is instead of Radames and Aida as "adults" seeing each other, they are reincarnated as kids.