Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA (2010) • Bailiwick Chicago

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Elton John & Tim Rice’s AIDA

Directed by Scott Ferguson

Musical Direction by Robert Ollis
and James Morehead

Choreography by Gary Abbott and Kevin Iega Jeff of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater

Performed July 1 – August 1, 2010

American Theater Company

AIDA tells the story of a high-ranking Egyptian soldier, engaged to the Pharaoh’s daughter and next in line for the throne, who falls in love with the Nubian slave Aida. When he discovers that she is the daughter of the King of Nubia, each is forced to choose between love for country and love for each other. With a driving pop-rock score by Elton John, the story challenges audiences to consider the question: “What would you sacrifice for eternal love?”

In its first Chicago production since the national tour, Bailiwick Chicago’s newly envisioned production features stunning choreography by the modern dance company Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, a six-piece band, and a cast of 20 talented actors, singers, and dancers.

★★★…This deeply rooted new ‘Aida’ would take Elton John by surprise…copious amounts of competence, creativity and truth…with a powerful and independent point of view.– Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2010/07/aida-bailiwick-chicago-american-theater-company-elton-john-time-rice.html …the richly expressive Afro-infused choreography by Gary Abbott and Kevin Iega Jeff (of Chicago’s Deeply Rooted company) far outstrips that created for the show’s Broadway edition.– Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weiss/2491378,CST-FTR-Weiss13web.article HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…[A] high-octane production with an earthy, powerful take on the title role.– John Beer, TimeOut Chicago, http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/theater/87239/aida-at-bailiwick-chicago-theater-review …Bailiwick Chicago has given it an intimate, unpretentious production…that boasts clever costumes, imaginative lighting, solid dancing, strong lead vocals, and truly impressive choral singing.– Albert Williams, Chicago Reader, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/aida/Event?oid=2030551 …there is much to recommend the Bailiwick production, which does do a fine job of communicating the music, such as it is, and an even better job of revealing the drama of the work…– Dennis Polkow, NewCity Chicago, http://newcitystage.com/2010/07/12/review-elton-john-and-tim-rice%E2%80%99s-aidabailiwick-chicago/ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…soaring harmonies in a variety of contemporary styles, athletic Afrocentric dances, women wearing Ricky Lurie’s dazzling period-inspired frocks…the intimacy of the ATC space allowing for character-driven nuances absent in larger venues…– Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times, http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=27443 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…From the emotion-packed singing to the traditional African dance moves, this production of Aida rises above the superficial and connects with the audience.– Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, Centerstage Chicago, http://centerstagechicago.com/theatre/shows/9665.html HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…Bailiwick Chicago rediscovers a buried AIDA…the company primarily works in the business of new discovery, digging up the dramatic tendons of a musical that has too long been buried.– Alissa Norby, ShowBiz Chicago, http://showbizchicago.com/bailiwick-chicago-rediscovers-a-buried-aida/ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…This Aida is for more enjoyable than the last national tour and for a quarter of the price…AIDA is a major summer triumph not to be missed.– Tom Williams, ChicagoCritic, http://chicagocritic.com/aida/ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED……This production, a major undertaking for a company to pick as a first musical is mind boggling!– Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago, http://www.aroundthetownchicago.com/theatre-reviews/aida/