Ok folks here's the scoop if you want play information. Tickets go on sale for the Alliance theater production (here in Atlanta) on Saturday, August 8th. The play opens September 17th ( a Thurs.) Prices for what they call preview time Tues.-Thurs. of the first week and Sunday eve. are $24.00 or $17.00. After these couple days the prices will be, Fri eve and Sun matinee, $30.00 or $23.00, and Sat night show is $36.00 and $27.00.
This is a very small playhouse and holds only about 2000 people. Due to the size of the theater, they are having a closed to the public, private official opening night on October 7th, also a Thursday. This will be press only, corporate sponsors, and special patrons according to a theater office worker. I imagine this is when Sir Elton and Tim Rice will attend. ( I'm keeping my fingers crossed he'll also appear on Sept. 17th.)
Elton is back in Atlanta now and was spotted by a friend shopping in where else ... Tower Records today. One radio station today was actually giving away play tickets to callers when they heard an EJ tune, so this may be a hard ticket to come by due to size of the theater and EJ's prominence in Atlanta. Best of luck.
LJM
Just returned from getting my Aida theater tix today, and was able to find out more info and tidbits.
It was open house at the Alliance theater today so after getting my tix I was able to tour the theater and see my seat locations and get a peek at the stage set as it was being constructed. Staff was on hand to answer questions as well.
First of all, the theater is very small. About the size of a large movie theater. Not one bad seat and even the balcony over hangs about the 11th row. I've got 10th row center, for opening and two tix for front row balcony another day. (These may be up for sale, I'll keep you posted.)
General info I learned - The Lion King Broadway female lead, will be the lead female for Aida. The actors are currently rehearsing in New York and will begin full cast rehearsals here on Aug. 25th. (Could be that many may be pulled from the Lion King cast, hence N.Y. rehearsals.) This production is costing approx. 5 million dollars. They were busy putting together an elaborate pyramid that opens and closes for the stage set. Staff reports the set alone will take three weeks to put together. Staff report the music is wonderful, but provided no other details. There were large columns and tile work with Egyptian motif, and the effects are to be typical Disney magic.
I had the opportunity to meet artistic director of the Alliance theater, Kenny Leon. We chatted about the upcoming production and he's thrilled to have Disney involved and to be working with Elton. (There are many local long term supporters that were not for it, and thought Disney would take over all artistic control, so there was a small controversy when the play was announced.) We chatted awhile about Elton, and he provided no specific info on the songs but also said EJ was great to work with and asked if I had seen him at Lakewood. He too was at the spring concert a few rows behind me and had a great time. He appears to be a big fan as well.
He happened to be sporting an Elaborate Lives baseball cap which had EJ's and Tim Rices' name on it. I asked about it, hoping to get one, and although that one was for director and cast he assured me there will be some similiar to it and most likely other memorabilia, afterall it is a Disney show. Staff did say it is not focused so much for young children as the Lion King. It is more adult themed and subject matter may be over childrens heads.
So that's the scoop on Aida. After todays preview, I can't wait to see the production. The Atlanta run will be Sept. 17th thru Nov. 8th.
LJM
Today's Atlanta paper had a small photo of EJ on the front page with headline: "Sneak peek at Elton's Aida" and then had a large cover story on the front page of the Living section and the back page. In very large print in the living section, the headline read - "A first look at Elton's new musical."
From the headlines you'd think it was all EJ's doing, with no mention of Tim Rice, the Alliance theater or Disney. Not to fear, they all were well covered in the article. (Get one from your large newsstands if you can. Well worth it if this post gets out to you in enough time.) Just 2 little photos of EJ though.
If you are unable to get one, here's the lowdown and some quotes - The show is labeled as a pop-rock musical. (ROCK musical is a surprise to me.) "Judging by portions of 3 songs, John's Lives score is more reminiscent of his classic 1970's sound, both in the uptempo rockers and love ballads, than the family oriented numbers he wrote with Rice for The Lion King. Wow, can't wait to her them. I expected Broadway like tunes.
Aida is played by 27 year old Heather Headley - original Nala in The Lion King Radames - Hank Stratton, and Amneris - by Sherie Scott, a veteran of Rent.
The article went on to say that - "...John, who has said he wanted the premiere in Atlanta, his adopted hometown 'so that I can keep an eye on it' - a remark that didn't amuse Disney producers. John reportedly will watch rehearsals when they move to the Alliance next month." Now was Disney not amused about Atlanta or EJ's wanting some influence over it... hmmm.
The article also said there is a tender duet, which seems destined to melt teen hearts, including the books writer Linda Woolverton. She is quoted as saying she grew up with Elton's music and is such a fan. When she met him at his ATL apt to meet him and hear the songs he wrote she said "He was so excited and nervous." Director of the play Robert Jess Roth, had this to say about Elton - "For a man who's never written directly for the stage, his theatrical instincts are astonishing."
Included in the article where glimpses of costume design for the show, and mention that there is no firm deadline for the show to go to Broadway. Disney will take it there when they think it's ready, timeline set for after X-mas/spring at this point. So if you can't wait that long to see it ,come on down.
Regrettably there was no mention about releases of the music either by EJ and band or the stage soundtrack. Hopefully we'll hear about a release of these songs soon.
1970's style rockers from Elton....wow, now that's worth waiting for.
LJM
If you'd like to read more on Aida and I believe there will be a photo of Elton with the stars of the cast, then get to a large newspaper outlet on Sunday and pick up the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
In the sports section of today's paper (of all places) it listed some main articles featured in this upcoming Sunday's paper, and in the Arts and Books section will be an article entitled:
"The question about Aida - Can an ancient saga of forbidden biracial romance work as a sleek, hip, crowd-pleasing pop-rock musical in 1998? - Staff writer Dan Hulbert on the Elton John/Walt Disney/Alliance Theatre's new show."
It showed a photo of EJ and 3 cast members, so I assume the photo will be reprinted. (It's a good one of him.) Anyway just a heads up on those who wish to read more.
A couple radio stations and media will begin allowing the public to special showings over the weekend (dry runs so to speak) before it opens to the public next week on the 17th. I'll post more after I see it then, but keep your eye out for theater trade rag reviews in the next week or two.
LJM
Return to the details of the musical.