It makes no sense. Looking at the shows that were nominated..it seemed like a pretty weak year. Was Broadway still on the old "we hate Disney" bandwagon? It just seems odd that it won best score and best actress and didn't even get nominated for Best musical. The book isn't even bad!
Uh, they definitely nominated 4 musicals: CONTACT, JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD, SWING!, and THE WILD PARTY. Not only should AIDA not have been nominated for best musical, but I cannot think of a single reason as to why AIDA's score was better than the flawless score to THE WILD PARTY
Anything regarding shows stated by this account is an attempt to convey opinion and not fact.
I feel like I've read over the years that many felt its lack of a nomination was a bit of a conscious decision. That there was fear that if it was nominated, it would absolutely win (due to road voters etc.), so the nominating committee put a stop to that early in the game. It did up winning all of it's nominations though, so maybe there was some truth to the fear, but I doubt it was an actual conspiracy of any kind. I enjoy the show a lot, but I mean, the book is not great.
I feel like I've read over the years that many felt its lack of a nomination was a bit of a conscious decision. That there was fear that if it was nominated, it would absolutely win (due to road voters etc.), so the nominating committee put a stop to that early in the game. It did up winning all of it's nominations though, so maybe there was some truth to the fear, but I doubt it was an actual conspiracy of any kind. I enjoy the show a lot, but I mean, the book is not great.
If any of that is true then wouldn't their not nominating it for fear that it might win be a conspiracy? How can you say that and then doubt it?
I actually saw a really fantastic production of Aida when i was small. The score is definitely great, and the numbers in the show are wonderful. I remember crying when Aida and Radames die together in the end. I can't say much about the book, but i definitely think this show deserved a best musical nomination.
I loved this show. The first non-children's show I ever saw and was the show that influenced me the most in becoming an actor. Holds a special place in my heart, no matter anyone else's opinions :)
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
I found the show to be something of a mess. It had some nice and interesting moments in its staging and score. Sherie was truly the one shining beacon in the entire production for me and Heather's singing was gret (though her acting was a mess). But the book, score and design all seemed at odds with each other as if the creative team never actually met with each other until opening night.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
There was also still a lot of backlash at the time from the critics against Disney from Lion King beating Ragtime two years earlier. And there was a lot of controversy surrounding the production, especially out of town (actors being injured, (rightfully) refusing to do the nude scene that ended up being cut, etc.).