Overview
Synopsis
At the Nile’s edge, the enslaved Nubian princess, Aida becomes romantically entangled with the Egyptian captain, Radames, who is betrothed to the Pharaoh’s daughter, Amneris. As their forbidden love grows deeper, Aida is forced to find balance between her heart’s yearning for Radames, and her responsibility to lead her people.
Based on the opera by Giuseppe Verdi, Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida is a timeless love story, featuring an award-winning pop/rock score from the seasoned pop duo who brought musical life to Disney’s The Lion King. Rousing rock numbers and heart-wrenching ballads bring the ill-fated lovers into a new era.
Show Information
- Music
- Elton John
- Lyrics
- Tim Rice
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Verdi's opera Aida
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2000
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical, Romance
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 3100 bc
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida is based on Giuseppe Verdi’s opera of the same name. The concept came from a children’s storybook version of Verdi’s opera. Walt Disney acquired the rights, which were originally intended to be used for an animated feature film. However, the idea for the animated film was shelved while still in the development phase, and the material evolved into a musical for the stage. An initial reading was presented to Disney executives in April of 1996, and the first full
to read the context for Aida and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
In a major museum’s Egyptian exhibit, contemporary museum patrons admire ancient Egyptian artifacts. A crowd gathers around an ancient burial chamber. Emerging from the crowd, a beautiful man and woman approach the chamber as if they had seen it before; the estranged couple are Radames and Aida. As they lock in a gaze, Amneris emerges from a nearby artifact to introduce the legend of their ancient love (“Every Story is a Love Story”). The museum visitors trickle out of the exhibit
to read the plot for Aida and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either or Both |
Variety |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either or Both |
Variety |
Songs
Act I
- "Every Story is a Love Story" – Amneris
- "Fortune Favors the Brave" – Radames and the Soldiers
- "The Past is Another Land" – Aida
- "Another Pyramid" – Zoser and the Ministers
- "How I Know You" – Mereb and Aida
- "My Strongest Suit" – Amneris and the Women of the Palace
- "Fortune Favors the Brave" (Reprise) – Radames
- "Enchantment Passing Through" – Radames and Aida
- "My Strongest Suit" (Reprise) – Amneris and Aida
- "Dance of the Robe" – Aida, Nehebka and the Nubians
- "Not Me" – Radames, Aida, Amneris and Mereb
- "Elaborate Lives" – Radames and Aida
- "The Gods Love Nubia" – Aida, Nehebka, Mereb and the Nubians
Act II
- "A Step Too Far" – Amneris, Radames and Aida
- "Easy as Life" – Aida
- "Like Father, Like Son" – Zoser, Radames and the Ministers
- "Radames' Letter" – Radames
- "Dance of the Robe" (Reprise) – Orchestra
- "Halfway to Heaven" – Aida, Amneris, Nehebka, Mereb and the Nubians
- "How I Know You" (Reprise) – Mereb
- "Written in the Stars" – Radames and Aida
- "I Know the Truth" – Amneris
- "Elaborate Lives" (Reprise) – Aida and Radames
- "Enchantment Passing Through" (Reprise) – Radames and Aida
- "Every Story is a Love Story" (Reprise) – Amneris
- "The Gods Love Nubia (Finale)" – Full Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
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