Wednesday, October 18, 2000
Aida, Original Broadway Cast minus Sherie Rene Scott (2000)
Cast: Kelli Fournier (Amneris, understudy), Adam Pascal (Radames), Heather Headley (Aida), Damian Perkins (Mereb), John Hickok (Zozer)
For complete cast information, see IBDb's Aida page.
What a great show! I already knew I loved the music. Although I normally don't listen to recordings before seeing a show, I couldn't resist the concept album, since it was released so far before Aida was going to Broadway. I loved it! A lot of things were changed for the musical, of course, and I really love the show.
I'm especially happy with the changes they made to the opening and ending. I think that the opening and ending really tie the whole thing together with this time period and make the story seem so much more applicable.
The cast is amazing! I finally got to see Adam Pascal on stage (I've been a huge fan of his since Rent) and Heather Headley and everyone else did an amazing job. I'm sorry I missed Sherie Rene Scott, but Kelli Fournier did a wonderful job as Amneris. I can't imagine it being done much better than that. Amneris is such a fun roll.
Aida is a timeless love story and I'm glad that Elton John & Tim Rice have made a musical version of it that I can enjoy. (I don't think I'll ever be an opera fan.) I highly recommend this musical!
Grade: ALabels: 2000, Adam Pascal, Broadway, drama, Elton John, musical, original