Experience the fun & magic of making a pop rock musical on the big stage!

Directed by Ronald P. Baumanis     Musical Direction by Brian E. Buckner     Choreography by Sadie Yarrington
 
Music by:  Elton John
Lyrics by:  Tim Rice

Book by Linda Woolverton , Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang

Pictures

Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA is a contemporary musical take on the grand classic tale of the love between a soldier and an enslaved princess – a love that condemns them to death, but ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between the two warring nations, heralding an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity.

With a pop-rock score that features stirring ballads and rousing choral numbers, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA is a modern crowd pleaser that embraces exuberant dancing, staging and singing.

AIDA was Disney Theatricals' third venture on Broadway following the phenomenal success of both BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE LION KING.

In March of 1999, an all-star album featuring songs from the upcoming musical was released, with "Written in the Stars", a duet by Elton John and country superstar Lee Ann Rimes, becoming the breakout hit. The song stayed at number two on the Billboard charts for four weeks.

Disney decided that the show needed another out of town tryout, this time in Chicago. Heather Headley and Sherie Renee Scott would both reprise their roles, with Radames now portrayed by Adam Pascal, of RENT fame.  The production officially opened at Chicago's restored Palace Theater on December 1, 1999 and played the windy city for two months.

After the Chicago engagement, the creative team continued to ready the show for Broadway. The previous summer, Disney had announced that it would move BEAUTY AND THE BEAST to the Lunt-Fonatanne Theater in order to make room for AIDA at the Palace, where it opened on March 23, 2000.

AIDA was an instant audience favorite and also received 5 Tony nominations, winning for Best Original Score, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Lighting Design. The show also won the 2001 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

A national tour was launched in the summer of 2000. and there were also international stagings in Amsterdam, Estonia, Canada, Germany and Japan. Meanwhile, back on Broadway, a plethora of high profile pop stars stepped into the title role, including Toni Braxton, Michelle T. Williams and Deborah Cox.

AIDA closed on Broadway on September 5, 2004, after an impressive run of 1,852 regular performances. The production was seen by over 2.5 million people.

Performances
Thursday, April 23, 2009   7pm
Friday, April 24, 2009  7pm
Saturday, April 25, 2009  7pm
Sunday, April 26, 2009  2pm
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, University of Michigan Campus

Cast

Aida Crew
Opportunities for YPTer’s 14 and older:  Taking applications for Backstage Crew, Lights and Sound.  Get involved in putting a YPT show on the stage!  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 734-222-4006 to express your interest and schedule an interview.