December 19, 2003
AIDA star
Michelle T. Williams of Destiny�s Child will be the featured guest and performer on LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY's special holiday show, airing nationally on
Wednesday, December 24 (9AM-10AM, EST; all other areas, check local listings).
Williams will perform "O Holy Night" from the Destiny's Child "8 Days of Christmas" album, and discuss her starring role in Elton John & Tim Rice�s AIDA. Williams solo album entitled �Do You Know,� will be released January 27, 2004 on Music World Music/Columbia Records.
Williams is scheduled to appear in AIDA through January 25.
AIDA is the winner of four 2000 Tony® Awards for Best Score (Elton John & Tim Rice), Best Actress (Heather Headley), Best Set Design (Bob Crowley), and Best Lighting Design (Natasha Katz).
AIDA is consistently one of Broadway�s Top Ten grossing shows and remains the only production still running on Broadway from the 1999-2000 theatrical season. AIDA began performances at the Palace Theatre on February 25, 2000 and officially opened on March 23, 2000. The show will celebrate its fourth anniversary on Broadway in March 2004. Following a successful 53-city North American tour and a recent production in Amsterdam, Holland this past August, AIDA is now an international sensation with all new productions in Essen, Germany (opened: October 5, 2003), and Osaka, Japan (opening December 21, 2003).
October 22, 2003
Disney Theatrical Productions (Thomas Schumacher, producer) is pleased to announce that
Michelle Williams, solo artist and Destiny's Child member, will make her
Broadway debut in the
title role of
Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA beginning
Tuesday, November 18 at Broadway's Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway, NYC), for a 10-week limited engagement. Williams is a Grammy®-winning recording artist, and member of international musical sensation, Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time. Michelle's
second solo album entitled "
Do You Know?" will be released
January 2004 on Music World Music/Columbia Records.
AIDA tells the story of a love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess forced into slavery, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love.
Michelle Williams' co-stars will include Will Chase (Radames) and Mandy Gonzalez (Amneris). Williams takes over for Toni Braxton, who completes a successful 4-month run as Aida on Sunday, November 16.
For Michelle, performing on Broadway is a step forward in the evolution of her career. "I think it's every performer's dream to one day be on a Broadway stage. To play Aida is a dream come true," said Williams. "I'm very excited for this opportunity. Aida is a woman with such strength, and there are so many things about her that I relate to. I love this character and can't wait to truly find her within myself."
Producer Thomas Schumacher said, "We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Williams not only to AIDA, but also to Broadway. Michelle's talent makes her a perfect choice to play Aida."
MICHELLE WILLIAMS (Aida) is a best-selling pop/gospel star and part of the R&B trio known as Destiny's Child. With their impressive vocal harmonies, consecutive number one hits, 3 Grammy� Awards and a myriad of distinguished music-industry honors, Destiny's Child is one of the best-selling female groups of all time. Led by founding members Beyonc� Knowles and Kelly Rowland, Destiny's Child burst onto the music scene in 1997 (signed to Columbia Records) with the multi-platinum single, "No, No No," from their self-titled debut album. Following Michelle's brief musical stint with R&B singer Monica in October 1999, Destiny's Child phoned and asked her if she was interested in joining the group. Her affirmative answer has become musical history. Since welcoming Michelle in February 2000, Destiny's Child has taken home Grammy� Awards; Soul Train Awards (including the Sammy Davis, Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year, 2001); Billboard Music Awards (including Artist of the Year in 2000 and 2001); American Music Awards; a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Singing Group (2001); Blockbuster Entertainment Awards; and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group (2001 and 2002). Released to stores on May 1, 2001, "Survivor," the third Destiny's Child album, debuted at #1 on the Billboard album chart with the highest first week's sales figures of any female group, and the highest first week's sales figures of any album in Columbia Records history. Over the course of the group's career, Destiny's Child has sold more than 35 million records worldwide.
Michelle Williams' debut solo album "Heart To Yours" rose to the #1 slot on the Gospel Album Sales chart, and is still charting in the Top 10. Released in April 2002 on Music World Music/Columbia Records, "Heart To Yours" is the first of many gospel albums Michelle hopes to release during breaks from Destiny's Child. Michelle's singing aspirations began to take form when, at the age of seven, she delivered her first solo - a rendition of "Blessed Assurance" at the St. Paul Church of God In Christ, in her native Rockford, Illinois. Inspired by the artistry and success of famed gospel singers like Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, the Clark Sisters, and Marvin Winans (her favorite all time male singer), Williams became a driving force in two church based groups: United Harmony and Chosen Expression.
Michelle's second solo album entitled "Do You Know?" will be released January 2004 on Music World Music/Columbia Records.
ABOUT AIDA
With a Tony� Award-winning score by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics), AIDA is directed by Robert Falls, and features a book by Linda Woolverton and Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang. Wayne Cilento is the choreographer. Set and costume design is by Tony� Award-winner Bob Crowley; lighting design is by Tony� Award-winner Natasha Katz, and music produced and supervised by Paul Bogaev.
AIDA is the winner of four 2000 Tony� Awards for Best Score (Elton John & Tim Rice), Best Actress (Heather Headley), Best Set Design (Bob Crowley), and Best Lighting Design (Natasha Katz). AIDA is consistently one of Broadway's Top Ten grossing shows and remains the only production still running on Broadway from the 1999-2000 theater season. AIDA began performances at the Palace Theatre on February 25, 2000 and officially opened on March 23, 2000. The show will celebrate its fourth anniversary on Broadway in March 2004. Following a successful 53-city North American tour and a recent production in Amsterdam, Holland this past August, AIDA is now an international sensation with all new productions in Essen, Germany (opened: October 5, 2003), and Osaka, Japan (opening December 21, 2003).
Performance Schedule & Ticket Information
AIDA performs Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8PM, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2PM, and Sundays at 3PM. Tickets are available at the Palace Theatre Box Office (1564 Broadway, NYC), through Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747, or online at www.ticketmaster.com
December 11, 2003
The cast of
Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA claimed the coveted prize for
Best Presentation at the 15th Annual
GYPSY OF THE YEAR.
The number entitled "Un-done" was a stirring dance number choreographed and staged by AIDA cast member Slam (Salim Gauwloos) and featured AIDA cast members Terra Lynn Arrington, Afi Bryant, Mahi Kekumu, Grasan Kingsberry, Krisha Marcano, Brooke Wendle, as well as Janelle Abbott.
The presentation featured costumes by Facundo Gabba and Leah Redmond, makeup by Facundo Gabba and Deana Marie Kirsch, and music from Mondobeat and Masters of Percussion.
This marks the first time that AIDA has been honored with an award for Best Presentation at Gypsy of the Year after participating in the competition each year since AIDA opened in 2000.
November 5, 2003
Elton John & Tim Rice's
AIDA recently celebrated its 1,500th performances at Broadway�s legendary
Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) on
Sunday, November 2.
AIDA currently stars six-time Grammy award winner Toni Braxton in the title role. Following Braxton's acclaimed run in the show, on November 18, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child will take over the role of Aida.
AIDA tells the story of a love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess forced into slavery, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love.
AIDA is the winner of four 2000 Tony® Awards and is the only production that opened during the 1999-2000 theater season still running on Broadway. AIDA began performances at the Palace Theatre on February 25, 2000 and officially opened on March 23, 2000. The show will celebrate its fourth anniversary next March.
With a Tony® Award-winning score by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics), AIDA is directed by Tony� Award-winner Robert Falls, and features a book by Linda Woolverton and Robert Falls & Tony® Award-winner David Henry Hwang. Tony� Award-winner Wayne Cilento is the choreographer. The sets and costumes are by Tony® Award-winner Bob Crowley, the lighting design is by Tony� Award-winner Natasha Katz, and music produced and musical supervision by Paul Bogaev.
In addition to the Broadway production, AIDA can currently be seen in Amsterdam and Germany. A new production will open later this year in Japan.
April 14, 2003
Disney Theatrical Productions is pleased to announce that internationally acclaimed recording artist
Toni Braxton will return to Broadway in the title role of
Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA beginning
Monday, June 30 at Broadway's
Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway) for a four month limited engagement.
"I am very excited to be coming back to Broadway as Aida," Braxton said. "Ever since I was a little girl, I have been a fan of Elton John's music and to be able to sing the wonderful score he wrote with Tim Rice will be a terrific challenge both as a singer and as an actress." Elton John said, "Toni Braxton has one of the best voices anywhere. It's a voice I've fallen in love with ever since her first album. I think she is going to be amazing as Aida."
This will mark Braxton's second appearance both on Broadway and at the Palace Theatre. She previously played the role of Belle in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" in 1998.
With a Tony® Award-winning score by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics), AIDA is directed by Tony® Award-winner Robert Falls, and features a book by Linda Woolverton and Robert Falls & Tony® Award-winner David Henry Hwang. Tony® Award-winner Wayne Cilento is the choreographer. The sets and costumes are by Tony® Award-winner Bob Crowley, the lighting design is by Tony® Award-winner Natasha Katz, and music produced and musical supervision by Paul Bogaev.
The performance schedule for AIDA is as follows: Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.. Single tickets for AIDA are available at the Palace Theatre Box Office (1564 Broadway), through Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747, or online at www.ticketmaster.com
December 2002
Simone�s road to Broadway has been packed
with experiences fit for a princess.
Simone is the only child of world-renowned chanteuse, Nina
Simone and husband Andrew Stroud in Mount Vernon, New York.
Simone saw quite a lot of the world as a young girl. At age
nine, she lived with her mother's family in North Carolina. When
she was 11, she traveled with her mother to such places as
Japan, Barbados and Africa, where she ended up attending school.
She continued her education at a boarding school in Switzerland,
and finally at age 14, she returned to New York City.
Shortly out of high school, Simone joined the U.S. Air Force,
and spent 11 years in service. While serving in Germany, Simone
began her singing career part-time, touring Europe as a back-up
singer for various artists, eventually landing her own solo
gigs.
Simone eventually returned to the U.S. and made her theatrical
debut in a national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar." From there,
Simone landed a role in the original Broadway cast of a
legendary musical - "Rent," as a swing and Joanne/Mimi understudy.
She eventually went on to play Mimi in the national tour, and in
2000, joined the Broadway cast of "Elton John and Tim Rice's
AIDA." In fact, AIDA is not Simone's first Disney production; she
performed in the workshop productions of "The Lion King" as 'Nala'
and AIDA in the title role.
During a two-year hiatus from the theater, Simone joined the
Chicago-based band, Liquid Soul. She both wrote and performed
for their album "Here's The Deal," which was nominated for a
2000 Grammy Award as Best Contemporary Jazz Album.
Simone's new solo album "Simone Superstar" is due to be released
in 2002. Much of the album is original music, written by Simone
herself. Simone and her husband, Robert Kelly, launched their
own entertainment company, Organic Entertainment, Inc. on whose
label Simone's new album will be released.
February 8, 2002
Starring
SIMONE, ADAM PASCAL &
FELICIA FINLEY
"Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA" is now playing at Broadway's legendary Palace
Theatre (1564 Broadway, at 47th Street), starring SIMONE, ADAM PASCAL, and
FELICIA FINLEY.
With a Tony� Award-winning score by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics), AIDA is directed by Tony Award-winner Robert Falls, and features a book by Linda Woolverton and Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang. Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento is the choreographer. The sets and costumes are by Tony Award-winner Bob Crowley, the lighting design is by Tony Award-winner Natasha Katz, and music production and musical direction by Paul Bogaev.
AIDA tells the story of a love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess forced into slavery; Amneris, an Egyptian princess; and Radames, the soldier they both love.
SIMONE (Aida) is the only child of world-reknowned chanteuse Nina Simone.
She made her theatrical debut in a national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and went on to become a member of the original Broadway cast of "Rent." As a member of the Chicago-based band Liquid Soul, Simone was nominated for a 2000 Best Contemporary Jazz Album Grammy� Award for "Here's the Deal." Later this year, her new solo album, "Simone Superstar," will be released under her own label Organic Entertainment Inc., which she launched with husband Robert Kelly.
ADAM PASCAL (Radames) made his theatrical debut as Roger in the original New York Theatre Workshop, Broadway, and London productions of "Rent." He received the 1996 Theatre World and Obie awards, as well as nominations for the 1996 Tony and Drama Desk awards for Best Actor in a Musical. Adam was a coproducer of the recent hit Off-Broadway play "Fully Committed." Last year, Adam released a solo record on SH-K-BOOM Records.
FELICIA FINLEY (Amneris) returns to the cast of "AIDA" after appearing in the
Papermill Playhouse production of "Red, Hot, and Blue." She previously appeared in "Forbidden Broadway," where she playfully lampooned the production of "AIDA." She has also appeared on Broadway in "Smokey Joe's Caf�" and in Cy Coleman's "The Life." She was featured Off-Broadway in the Playwrights Horizon's production of "The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin" and the Manhattan Theatre Club's presentation of Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party."
"AIDA" began performances on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on February 25, 2000, and officially opened on March 23, 2000, starring Heather Headley as Aida, Adam Pascal as Radames, and Sherie Rene Scott as Amneris.
The performance schedule for "AIDA" is as follows: Tuesday through Saturday at
8 p.m., with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Single tickets for "AIDA" are available at the Palace Theatre Box Office (1564 Broadway), through Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747, or online at
www.ticketmaster.com
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February 2001
The original Broadway cast recording of Elton John & Tim Rice's "Aida" won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards, held February 21, 2001, in Los Angeles. Visit the "Aida" music section to learn how the music was created, hear song excerpts, and order your own copy of the "Aida" cast album.
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September 1, 2000
Elton John & Tim Rice's "Aida," Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical love story, is now on national tour. First performance was at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on April 27, 2001.
Although the entire tour is yet to be scheduled, stops have been confirmed for the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, and the Keller Auditorium (formerly known as the Portland Civic Auditorium) in Portland, OR.
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June 4, 2000
Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," currently playing at the Palace Theatre on Broadway, scored wins in four categories at the 54th Annual Tony Awards. Elton John and Tim Rice, who co-wrote the score to the musical about a Nubian princess and slave who falls for an Egyptian prince, received the Tony for Best Score. Heather Headley was named Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Aida. (She has also received the Drama Desk and Drama League Awards, and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award for this role.) Bob Crowley, honored for Best Scenic Design, and Natasha Katz, Best Lighting Design, rounded out "Aida"'s awards.
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May 15, 2000
Heather Headley, in an acclaimed performance as the title character in Elton John & Tim Rice's "Aida," has just won the Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The awards were presented May 14, 2000, in a ceremony held at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and broadcast live in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tri-state area. Ms. Headley's performance of "Easy as Life" was one of the event's many highlights.
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