The collaboration of one of the greatest musicians of our time and a lyricist who produces instant classics form the enchanting foundation of the Broadway musical hit, "Aida."
The story is an epic tale of love and a struggle for power in a time when war raged between Egypt and its southern neighbor Nubia. Of course, a modern twist was provided by the music and lyrics of Tim Rice and Elton John.
I will start by saying "Aida" excels in all areas. It does not take a genius to guess the highlight of this show is the music. It is a mix of Gospel, Elton John-style ballads, African rhythms and rock and roll. The instrumentation in the songs is unique, using a wide variety of instruments, including the piano and an electric guitar.
Each song also adapts perfectly to fit the personality and mood of every scene and character.
During parts of the musical, the music was dark and intense, with opera-like orchestration, and during others the songs were light and comical.
For example, the number, "My Strongest Suit," sung by Kelli Fournier, who plays Amneris, the Pharaoh's daughter, is about the plight of women who have to struggle to be defined by something other than their physical appearance. Some songs also displayed Tim Rice's great lyrical writing skills, which deal with other stereotypes and serious issues such as oppression, neglect and ambition, while still focusing on a positive message of believing in yourself and where you came from.
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The music, which was mostly provided by a live orchestra, was extremely powerful and easy to relate to.
"Aida" excels on the acting and singing front as well. The characters express almost every emotion possible - sometimes at the same time. This is a difficult task especially when the actors must simultaneously sing and dance.
One of the strongest actors in the show was Jacen R. Wilkerson, who plays the part of Mereb, one of the more influential Nubian slaves. His character is strong, compassionate and genuine. His performance of "How I Know You" with Merle Dandridge, who plays Aida, was moving. The two characters seemed to have a deep understanding with each other. The acting and singing was technically superb and helped to move the plot along without distraction. The singers made good use of their vocal ranges - singing quietly at times to convey a delicate emotion, while later belting out a verse without restraint for dramatic emphasis. Dandridge has one of the most moving voices I have ever heard. The singing and the music both have adaptive qualities that fit well together to match the changing mood of the story.
The show took a less conventional approach when it came to dancing by incorporating several different styles of movement into the show. It included traditional African dance, modern, ballet and even some moves that resembled the martial arts. The most innovative choreography incorporated hip-hop into the dancing of the Egyptian soldiers. It added excitement and brought the play into the modern era.
All of the pieces were well connected and the use of modern special effects worked well within the quickly changing plot. The dancing, singing and acting fell right into place with the effects and music, creating an endlessly enjoyable piece of theater.
