Aida
Original Broadway Windowcard
Music	Elton John
Lyrics	Tim Rice
Book	Linda Woolverton Robert Falls David Henry Hwang
Based upon	A story by Auguste Mariette
Productions	1998 Atlanta 1999 Chicago 2000 Broadway 2006 US Tour

Aida is a musical drama in two acts based on Giuseppe Verdi's Italian-language opera by the same name, which is in turn based on a story by Auguste Mariette. The musical was produced by Hyperion Theatricals, a unit within Disney Theatrical, with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang. Image File history File links Aida_broadway_poster. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE [2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a multiple Grammy and Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Sir Timothy Miles Bindon Rice (born 10 November 1944) is an English lyricist for musical theatre, a radio presenter, television gameshow panelist and an author. ... Linda Woolverton was a writer for the film The Lion King. ... // David Henry Hwang (born August 11, 1957) is a contemporary American playwright who has risen to prominence as the preeminent Asian American dramatist in the U.S. He was born in Los Angeles, California and was educated at Stanford University and the Yale School of Drama. ... A statue of Auguste Mariette in his home city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the state capital of Georgia. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... Nickname: Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location in the Chicago metro area and Illinois Coordinates: , Country United States State Illinois County Cook & DuPage Settled 1770s Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City  234. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Broadway theatre[1] is the most prestigious form of professional theatre in the U.S., as well as the most well known to the general public and most lucrative for the performers, technicians and others involved in putting on the shows. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Giuseppe Verdi Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (either October 9 or 10, 1813 – January 27, 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. ... AIDA is an acronym used in marketing that describes a common list of events that are very often undergone when a person is selling a product or service: A - Attention (Awareness): attract the attention of the customer. ... A statue of Auguste Mariette in his home city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. ... The purpose built Lion King theater in Hamburg New Amsterdam Theater in New York City Advertisement for Beauty and the Beast Disney Theatrical, formally known as Walt Disney Theatrical Productions is the stageplay and musical production arm of The Walt Disney Company. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE [2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a multiple Grammy and Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Sir Timothy Miles Bindon Rice (born 10 November 1944) is an English lyricist for musical theatre, a radio presenter, television gameshow panelist and an author. ... Linda Woolverton was a writer for the film The Lion King. ... // David Henry Hwang (born August 11, 1957) is a contemporary American playwright who has risen to prominence as the preeminent Asian American dramatist in the U.S. He was born in Los Angeles, California and was educated at Stanford University and the Yale School of Drama. ...

Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida had its world premier at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia with the production running from September 17 to November 8, 1998. A new, revised production opened on November 12, 1999 at the Cadillac Palace in Chicago. The Broadway production, named Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, ran at the Palace Theatre between March 23, 2000 and September 5, 2004 for a total of 1,852 performances (and 30 previews). The production also produced a successful national tour and several international productions. Disney has granted production rights for various regional theater productions as well. The Alliance Theatre Company is a prestigious theatre company in Atlanta, Georgia based at the Alliance Theatre, a part of the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center. ... Hotlanta redirects here. ... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... Entrance to the Cadillac Pallace Theatre The Cadillac Palace Theatre (formerly the The New Palace Theatre) is a Chicago theatre. ... Nickname: Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location in the Chicago metro area and Illinois Coordinates: , Country United States State Illinois County Cook & DuPage Settled 1770s Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City  234. ... Broadway theatre[1] is the most prestigious form of professional theatre in the U.S., as well as the most well known to the general public and most lucrative for the performers, technicians and others involved in putting on the shows. ... The Palace Theatre, circa 1920. ... is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

This musical was nominated for five Tony Awards and won four. What is popularly called the Tony Award (formally, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre) is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theater, including musical theater, primarily honoring productions on Broadway in New York. ...

Plot

Act I

In the Egyptian wing of a modern museum, a man and a woman touring the exhibit catch each other's eyes. A statue of Amneris, a female Pharaoh, comes to life ("Every Story is a Love Story"). Amneris transports us to ancient Egypt, where Radames, captain of the Egyptian army, is returning from an expedition through the land of Nubia, Egypt's long-time enemy ("Fortune Favors the Brave"). When his soldiers capture a group of Nubian women, he finds himself captivated by the fierce and majestic Aida, the only woman who makes any attempt to resist ("The Past is Another Land"). After arriving in Egypt, Aida is saved from death in the copper mines by Radames, who sends her as a handmaiden to his betrothed, Princess Amneris. Radames' father, Chief Minister Zoser, greets his son with news that the Pharaoh is dying, and Radames must prepare to become the next ruler of Egypt ("Another Pyramid"). Unbeknownst to Radames, his father is poisoning the Pharaoh in order to accelerate Radames' ascension to the throne.

Radames' Nubian servant, Mereb, is a young man who has learned the tricks of survival in Egypt. While delivering Aida to the princess, Mereb recognizes her as the daughter of the Nubian king under whom he'd served during his days in Nubia. She commands him to keep her identity a secret, lest the Egyptians kill her ("How I Know You"). Presented to Amneris, Aida is liked immediately, and she perceives that the Princess' love of fashion only serves as a mask of her insecurities ("My Strongest Suit"). At a banquet Amneris and Radames learn from the Pharaoh that they are to marry in seven days, leaving the captain distraught that his days as an explorer have ended ("Fortune Favors the Brave (Reprise)"*). Together, he and Aida share their dreams and regrets ("Enchantment Passing Through").

Later that night, Amneris worries about her father's illness, and finds in Aida someone who understands and encourages her ("My Strongest Suit (Reprise)"). Bursting into his fiancée's chamber, Radames steals a moment with Aida to share his growing attraction to her. Aida is taken by Mereb to the Nubian camp, where she submits to her people's pleas to lead them ("Dance of the Robe"). When she implores Radames to help the Nubians, he opens his heart by giving his possessions to them ("Not Me") and declaring his love for her ("Elaborate Lives"). Unable to fight her feelings any longer, she falls into his embrace. Their bliss is interrupted by news that Radames' armies have captured Amonasro, king of Nubia and Aida's father. Unable to comfort her, Radames leaves Aida in distress. Rallying her people, Aida assures them that Nubia will never die ("The Gods Love Nubia").

Act II

Aida, Amneris, and Radames are entangled in conflicted loyalties and emotions ("A Step Too Far"). Aida and Mereb bribe their way into Amonasro's prison cell, where she's reunited with her father. Mereb hatches a plan to escape with the king during the commotion of Amneris' wedding. To save her father and her nation, Aida must betray the man she loves ("Easy as Life"). Meanwhile, Zoser discovers Radames' affair and warns his son that it could cost him the throne, but Radames no longer shares his father's ambitions ("Like Father, Like Son"). After an emotional bout with his son, Zoser orders his men to find Aida and kill her.

At the Nubian camp, Aida receives a written apology from Radames for the thoughtless way he acted upon hearing of Amonasro's capture ("Radames' Letter"). When Egyptian soldiers arrive seeking Aida, another Nubian, Nehebka, sacrifices herself so that the princess can live. Now even more determined to leave Radames forever, Aida goes to say good-bye to him over Mereb's objections ("How I Know You (Reprise)"). Radames informs Aida that he's calling off the wedding. Aida knows that this would ruin her father's escape and tells him he must go through with it ("Written in the Stars"). Radames agrees, on condition that she escape to freedom on a boat he will provide. The heartbroken lovers part, but Amneris has overheard their entire conversation and tries to face the fact that her upcoming marriage is a sham ("I Know the Truth").

News of Amonasro's escape disrupts Amneris' wedding. Radames learns the truth of Aida's identity when he arrives at the docks just as she's about to board his boat with her father. In the chaos, Zoser slays Mereb and Radames makes possible Amonasro's escape. Then he and Aida are arrested for treason. At the ensuing trial, Pharaoh sentences both Aida and Radames to be buried alive. Amneris reprises her role as future Pharaoh by convincing her father to let the lovers die in the same tomb, an act of mercy for two people she has come to love. Facing death, Aida looks to Radames for strength ("Elaborate Lives (Reprise)"). As they are slowly deprived of light and air ("Enchantment Passing Through (Reprise)"), Radames swears he will search through a hundred lifetimes to find her again.

Back in the contemporary museum, the spirit of Amneris watches as the modern man and woman are strangely drawn to each other. They are the reincarnations of Aida and Radames, finding in each other a new beginning ("Every Story is a Love Story (Reprise)").

• "Fortune Favors the Brave (Reprise)" is not featured on the Original Broadway Cast Recording.

Original Broadway cast

In the Broadway production, Heather Headley originally portrayed the title character of Aida along with co-star Adam Pascal as Radames. Sherie René Scott, who was with the project since its first workshop, continued in the role of Amneris. Heather Headley on the cover of her 2002 debut album This Is Who I Am Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Grammy nominated R&B singer from Trinidad and Tobago. ... Adam Pascal Adam Pascal (born October 25, 1970) is an American actor, best known for being the first to play the role of Roger Davis in the Jonathan Larson musical Rent on Broadway. ... Sherie René Scott (born February 8, 1969) is a well-acclaimed American actress and singer. ...

The cast also included Tyrees Allen (Amonasro), John Hickok (Zoser), Daniel Oreskes (Pharaoh), Damian Perkins (Mereb), and Schele Williams (Nehebka). Tyrees Allen is an American actor. ... Damian Perkins is a singer, actor, dancer, artist and model. ...

One notable member of the original ensemble was Corinne McFadden who would go on to assist in the choreography of both Wicked and the 2005 revival of Sweet Charity. She has also performed in both of these productions. Wicked is a Tony award-winning American musical produced by Universal Pictures with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sweet Charity, based on Federico Fellinis screenplay for Nights of Cabiria, is a musical directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and book by Neil Simon. ...

Pascal returned to the Broadway cast as Radames on June 28, 2004 and stayed with the show until its closing on September 5, 2004.

It was originally conceived as an animated film.

Production highlights

From the Atlanta staging, only Heather Headley, as Aida, and Sherie Rene Scott, as Amneris, remained. Adam Pascal joined the cast as Radames for the Chicago run. The Chicago run at the Cadillac Theatre also had its share of drama. On Nov. 13, 1999, a set mishap during the final moments of the performance injured stars Headley and Pascal. According to an eyewitness report, while the two actors were being conveyed in a suspended boxlike "tomb" at the climax of the show, the set piece broke from its support and plunged approximately eight feet to the stage. A subsequent press release from the show's publicist stated that Headley and Pascal sustained minor injuries and were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for examination. Both were released from the hospital a few hours later. From then on, the tomb remained on the ground. Heather Headley on the cover of her 2002 debut album This Is Who I Am Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Grammy nominated R&B singer from Trinidad and Tobago. ... Sherie René Scott is a well-acclaimed American actress and singer. ... Adam Pascal Adam Pascal (born October 25, 1970) is an American actor, best known for being the first to play the role of Roger Davis in the Jonathan Larson musical Rent on Broadway. ...

The original Atlanta staging conceived of the play with a nearly empty set, displaying only a six-ton gold pyramid-shaped set piece in the center. Driven by pneumatic controls, the pyramid's sides and bottom could be turned and rotated to suggest various locations such as a ship stern or a tomb. However, the piece, constructed at a price of nearly $10 million, frequently broke down, and a new production designer was hired for restaging in Chicago. Nothing of the original Atlanta set design remained in the new production.

Musical numbers

The following is the list of musical numbers that appeared in the Broadway version of Aida.

Elton John's music for Aida is stylistically eclectic. "Another Pyramid" is a modern reggae number; "My Strongest Suit" draws heavily on Motown, "The Gods Love Nubia" draws on gospel. There are numbers, e.g., "Not Me," "Elaborate Lives," "A Step Too Far," "Written in the Stars," that reflect Elton John's pop style. There is also a strong influence of African music. These styles are used without much attention to historical authenticity, rather, there is a mix of African (mostly west African), Indian and Middle Eastern influences. Probably the nearest stylistic parallel to the work as a whole is Elton John's The Lion King, another musical with strong ethnic elements. The Lion King is the original motion picture soundtrack for Walt Disneys The Lion King. ...

Recordings

Two show recordings are available for Aida:

1. Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida: Original Broadway Cast Recording was released in 2000, and is a conventional cast recording that includes all twenty-one musical numbers from the Broadway incarnation of the show.
2. Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, sometimes known as the "Concept Album", was released in 1999 in advance of the theatrical production, and features Elton performing the music along with a number of pop stars.

A cast recording or original cast recording is a recording of a musical that is intended to document the songs as they were performed in the show and experienced by the audience. ... Elton John and Tim Rices Aida is a 1999 album that contains songs from, but predates the main production of, the 2000 musical Aida. ...

Awards

Aida was nominated for five Tony Awards at the 2000 ceremony. Surprisingly, the show was not nominated for Best Musical. It won in the categories of Best Original Musical Score (Elton John), Best Actress in a Musical (Heather Headley), Best Scenic Design (Bob Crowley), and Best Lighting Design (Natasha Katz). Bob Crowley was also nominated for Best Costume Design but lost to Martin Pakledinaz and his work on the 1999 revival of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate. What is popularly called the Tony Award® but is formally the Antoinette Perry Award is an annual American award celebrating achievements in theater, including musical theater. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... // 1940s 1949 Kiss Me, Kate - Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE [2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a multiple Grammy and Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Heather Headley on the cover of her 2002 debut album This Is Who I Am Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Grammy nominated R&B singer from Trinidad and Tobago. ... R. T. Crowley (born March 2, 1948) is a pioneer in the development and practice of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), an early component of electronic commerce. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... R. T. Crowley (born March 2, 1948) is a pioneer in the development and practice of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), an early component of electronic commerce. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter from Indiana. ... Kiss Me, Kate is a Tony Award-winning musical with a book by Samuel and Bella Spewack and music and lyrics by Cole Porter. ...

Elton John, Tim Rice, and the Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA: Original Broadway Cast Recording were honored at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards with the award for Best Musical Show Album. Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE [2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a multiple Grammy and Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Sir Timothy Miles Bindon Rice (born 10 November 1944) is an English lyricist for musical theatre, a radio presenter, television gameshow panelist and an author. ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music... The Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album has been awarded since 1959. ...

Live Action and Animated Films

Animated Film:

Disney bought the rights to "Aida" the children's storybook version of Giuseppe Verdi's opera that Leontyne Price wrote back in 1990 for animated feature. The book featured stunning illustrations by Leo & Diane Dillon. Development on the animated film was shelved and became the source material for the Broadway version.

Live Action Film:

Disney is already planning a major motion picture adapation release in 2010. Currently in the works, casting has rumored as Beyoncé Knowles for the role of Aida, and pop sensation Christina Aguilera for Amneris. Beyoncé Chantelle Knowles (born September 4, 1981) is an R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, fashion designer and model. ... Christina María Aguilera (a Spanish surname, pronounced (IPA) , anglicized to [1]), born December 18, 1980, is an American pop singer and songwriter. ...

International productions

There have been productions of Aida in Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea and The Netherlands. The Japanese and South Korean casts were the first productions without any black cast members. Manila-based Atlantis Productions will bring the show to the Philippines in 2008. Two more productions of Aida will open this year. One in Italy (Genoa), and one in Uruguay (in Montevideo). Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... Motto None (Unofficial: Broadly benefit humankind also translated as Devotion to the welfare of humanity) Anthem Aegukga Patriotic Hymn Capital (and largest city) Seoul Official languages Korean Government Presidential republic  -  President Roh Moo-hyun  -  Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Establishment  -  Independence declared March 1, 1919 (de jure)   -  Liberation August 15... Black cat, thought by some to cause bad luck (see superstition) Black is the shade of objects that do not reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum. ... Nickname: Map of Metro Manila showing the location of Manila Coordinates: 14°35 N 121° E Country Philippines Region National Capital Region Districts 1st to 6th districts of Manila Barangays 897 Incorporated (city) June 10, 1574 Government  - Mayor Alfredo Lim (GO)  - Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (Asenso Manilenyo/PDP-Laban) Area... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Amateur productions

Aida has recently become popular among school and community theaters. Licensing of these amateur productions of Aida is through Music Theatre International. Music Theatre International (MTI) represents the secondary performance rights to over 250 musical shows, licensing Broadway musicals to professional and amateur groups throughout the United States and in over 60 countries around the world. ...

External links

• Disney Theatrical: Aida
• Aida (musical) at The Internet Broadway Database
• StageAgent: Aida Plot Summary and Character Descriptions
• 2006 Non-Equity Tour
• Production: Aida - Working in the Theatre Seminar video at American Theatre Wing.org, April 2000
• Complete Libretto of Aida
• Written in the Stars - Aida