Since Disney first successfully went to Broadway in 1994 with
the award-winning Beauty and the Beast and then went on to capture
the audience with the multi-award winning Lion King in 1997, the
sky seemed to be the limit.
Since Disney first successfully went to Broadway in 1994 with the award-winning Beauty and the Beast and then went on to capture the audience with the multi-award winning Lion King in 1997, the sky seemed to be the limit.
Opera came next. “Aida” is the first Disney musical not reprised from and animated film. “Aida” almost has it all: the sets and lighting steal the show. The one thing it doesn’t have is soul. There is an emptiness to the production that even a talented cast can’t fill. The best of everything has been thrown into this production but nothing seems to stick.
Disney’s soft rock version of “Aida” is playing at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose and Verdi is looking for Melvin Belli to serve papers on Walt in that big theatre in the sky. It’s all there, glorious sets, fabulous costumes, perfect lighting, quirky, original choreography, Elton John and Tom Rice’s music and lyrics and a cast that is better than the overall material and glitz of the production.
“Aida” the musical, opened on Broadway on March 23, 2000 and is the story of a Nubian princess captured by the Egyptians, Amneris, an Egyptian princess and Radames, the world explorer/soldier they both love. As in most operas the endings are usually poignant and sad with the heroes biting the dust some way or another. Not Disney’s version everything works out just fine and our heroes will probably end up as dolls in some sort of a Happy Meal somewhere in the commercial network that makes the world go round but, sadly, does not let a classic live up to its original amazing depth.
When Paulette Ivory, (Aida) belts out one of Elton’s songs you listen and enjoy. Her voice is strong and carries a fitting melodramatic tinge into the part.
Lisa Brescia joyously plays the Princess Amneris with a tongue in cheek splash of Brittany Spires and Madonna filtering into her firm, well-timed delivery. Former Monkee Micky Dolenz sings Zoser.
Jeremy Kushnier’s Ramades carries his role of Aida’s star-crossed lover with good looks and a pleasant, reliable voice.
Wayne Cilento’s choreography is inventive and smart and is executed by a talented, well trained chorus.
“Aida” is entertaining and if you are an Elton John fan you will probably enjoy the show but don’t tell Giuseppe (Verdi); you will break his heart.
Music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice
Presented by the American Misical Theatre of San Jose
Where: Center for the Preforming Arts
225 Almaden Blvd. San Jose
When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and Aug. 4
2 p.m. Saturdays and Aug 7
6:30p.m.Sundays
Through: Aug. 9
Running time: 2 hours and 25 minutes with one intermission.
Tickets: $43.50-$68.50
For reservations and information: call (888) 455-7469 or www.amts.org
