Review from ATC of Adam Pascal's last Aida.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 10:33pm

I'm not his biggest fan, (and I know lots of people here hate him) but I do like him and I love the show, so I got nosebleed seats for this. Yawn. He was telephoning it in. He is cute, I like his voice, but it's time for him to go. There was no emotion from him this afternoon. If it wasn't for the screaming girls in the first two rows, you'd never know there was anything special about today. How do you live in a show for six or so years and then not have it affect you at all? Heather's last the energy was all over the place; you could really tell it meant something to her. Looking forward to Will Chase but NOT Toni Braxton (even the ushers were rolling their eyes about it). As much as people debate Simone in the role, at least she is powerful. Braxton will ruin Dance of the Robe and Nubia. Yikes. I cringe to think about it.


I agree with the comment about Braxton. Just close the show with some dignity and don't kill it with her.
Who would phone in their last performance?? Geez. Couldn't he put energy into it? Then again, Pascal isn't high on my list of favorites for anything, so.

[Rob]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 10:40pm

You can't kill Aida - some of us are greatly looking forward to seeing Mandy Gonzalez in it.



Rob

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 10:42pm

I want mandy to perfrom. I want toni strung up from the flies by her voal chords. She would make a fine pinata.

[RobbO]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 10:47pm

Wow! I totally disagree. This is my second time seeing Adam Pascal in the show and I thought he was as terrific tonite as the first time I saw him. Perhaps it was your seats, as I was in the orchestra and he had the same energy, emotion and intensity tonite as before. While he may not have shown as much emotion as Simone during their final bows, it is safe to say he went out on top (and that Simone may have been more emotional since she lost her mom during her run in the role).

Updated On: 6/15/03 at 10:47 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 10:49pm

OK, NOT my review. I just found it online.

[RobbO]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 10:51pm

frankly, i think people just enjoy having a chance to use the phrase "phoning it in..." plus, adam's been in the role for 3 years not 6!! (the show's only been open for three years...)

Posted: 6/15/03 at 10:58pm

Speaking of killing Aida, what's worse than killing Aida?

Having Aida be remembered as Toni Braxton after it's death! Toni is trying to get Disney to release Aida on DVD with the last Broadway company (of course her). I know I don't want my grand-children discovering Aida with her in the title role. Updated On: 6/15/03 at 10:58 PM

[theaterbuff]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 11:07pm

I'd love to see them make a DVD of Aida. I'll reserve judgement on Toni Braxton till after I see her sometime in July though.

[KB]

Posted: 6/15/03 at 11:48pm

I was never crazy about Adam Pascal but I am looking forward to the new cast, because of their individuals talents and a fresher approach.

KB

[Amneris]

Posted: 6/16/03 at 8:59am

sorry to sound rude but, im very glad pascal finally left...he didn't even want to be up there...this last past year it seemed as if he just phoned in his performance. I hope to see him back on stage in a fresh new role that isn't like Radames/Roger in one.

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 6/17/03 at 1:16pm

Interesting how you only copied the negative comment.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 6/19/03 at 12:04pm

I saw Aida twice with Adam Pascal. I must be in the minority because I loved this show. I was 100% entertained, and that's what's important to me.

[slw]

Posted: 6/19/03 at 12:22pm

No you aren't the only one- I went to to New York 2 weeks ago for that reason- to see Adam peform in Aida. And he is great. I also got to meet him after the show- so that made the night even more wonderful. I'm glad to see him move on and can't wait for him to do something else.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/19/03 at 2:01pm

bdwaygirl,
the reason I copied THAT comment because it was in the minority and I thought it was odd for someone to have that reaction to the show when sooo many people saw it as very emotionally charged and powerful.
Once again, I say I am not an Adam fan, but still, last performances, especially from someone who has been ina show as long as he has tend to be very charged. I just thought it was an odd review.

[scooter38432]

Posted: 6/19/03 at 2:02pm

I, too, love AIDA. Most (if not all) of my snobby theater friends don't like it -- primarily because of Adam's growly voice.

I keep telling them that he has an amazingly powerful tenor rock belt. He knows just how to place those high notes so they soar. He is gravelly, but AIDA is a pop/rock score and requires that kind of voice.

I've seen AIDA three times now (2 with Adam and 1 with Matt Bogart -- who didn't even compare), including one performance on Tony weekend. Adam gave a great performance.

The show is still as sharp as a tack even after three years.

I saw Will Chase in THE FULL MONTY and was not impressed at all. I was shocked when I found out he was to be Adam's replacement. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I don't think I'll be seeing it again now that Adam is gone.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 6/19/03 at 2:23pm

Well, not truly an addict, but it suited the topic line!
I thin kthe show itself stands on it's own with the general audience. It's always in the top 10 grosses. Agree or not it's got the right ingredients 1. Disney, Elton John/Tim Rice. 2. Nice sets, good music, decent story line with a history of opera style behind it. Add a dynamic cast and, well, that's why it's still there....im my eyes.

I covered it for TB in Philly last year and theater savvy audience loved it! Paulette Ivory & Kelli Fournier were AS good if not better than the Bd'w cast! Jeremy Kushnier was "good" once he grew on you! I preferred Adam's performance, at least when it opened.
I saw Braxton in B&TB. dreadfully mis-cast in my opinion. I can't see her in Aida either...but I'm sure some will love her. They always do.

BTW, this seems to be a popular show to audition for. A handful of quality Bd'w people were interested in landing Aida roles. So it rates with some of them as well.