Behind The Ears: The History of AIDA on Broadway - Disney’s Unlikely Broadway Hit

[@wizzy615]

Imagine this as a cartoon with Prince of Egypt style animation

[@chrissyr8387]

OMG that would be an astronomical masterpiece 😲😍

[@wengu6975]

Imaging showing children burying people alive😢

[@TimoteoDeBaum]

Ooh epic! Let’s bring back 2D musical animation 🎉❤

[@Bdaychick]

Although I’m in love with the original Broadway cast album I was too young to see this live... I wish they would upload this on Disney+. Hopefully after the success of Hamilton Disney will allow more musicals to be put on their streaming service!

[@BehindTheMagic]

I hope so too!

[@bloodmoon0205]

@@BehindTheMagic I would love that but I don't think they ever filmed a pro-shot of Aida

[@ColtonMyers1]

I have always wondered why Disney hasn’t adapted AIDA as an animated feature yet. It would be absolutely breathtaking as either hand drawn or CGI animation. I just hope we get a revival of this show in the US soon!

[@JB-df9it]

I still want an animated version with the same music..I love this musical.

[@BehindTheMagic]

I’d love to see that happen, too!

[@FormalFilmsProductions]

Me too

[@darrenhales6094]

Honestly, I am tired of crappy writers becoming critics to destroy other people's works. Reviewers should be required by law for the headline to start with "this is my opinion". I saw Aida 3 times in NYC in the late 90's and friggin' LOVED IT! I loved the music, the performances, the staging and designs, and Headley, Pascal, and Scott were incredible. Watching Headley and Pascal sitting in their small tomb at the end of the musical singing the reprise of Elaborate Lives as the entire stage closed in on their tiny tomb where they were buried alive together still brings tears to my eyes...even just listening to the cast recording. I am so proud of Disney for not giving up on this musical. All the changes were worth it and I would be thrilled to see it again. Congrats to all involved!!

[@BehindTheMagic]

The critics really had it out for this show. I’m so happy it persevered!

[@queenmedesa]

Screw the critics!

[@michaelsmith4616]

L

[@aclark903]

@@queenmedesa The critics got #Feldstein sacked from #FunnyGirl. They say it as they see it.

[@natbuchbinder3249]

The headline does not have to start with “this is my opinion” because that is already conveyed by the section title “Reviews.”

[@lyloabeniteznyssen4315]

They could have made this a movie. But no, we got CATS

[@thomasbradley4505]

Aida is so underrated. It has some great songs, especially Elaborate Lives and A Step Too Far

[@kamerynshadden5451]

I saw a touring production as a child in like 2001 and I’ll never forget the ending. Radames and Aida are in a box and the box starts getting smaller and smaller while zooming in on their embrace. It finally closed in a sliver of light left from within as if they finally perished and it’s stuck with me to this day.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Such a beautiful, but sad, ending! 😭😭😭

[@BehindTheMagic]

@caitlyncarvalho7637 Maybe it is in the opera, but in the musical it’s definitely EYE-EE-DA! 😊

[@greenskittles8627]

I saw Aida on Broadway back in 2004 on a school trip, the day after seeing Beauty and Beast. It was for a writing class so we had to critique both shows. I was one of the few who liked Aida better (but both were good obviously). I didnt know anything about the story and it was amazing! It's still in my top 3 to this day.

[@BehindTheMagic]

So awesome! Wish I’d been able to see it on Broadway!

[@MISSJHON]

this was and still is my all-time favorite musical. would love to see it live again

[@BehindTheMagic]

MISSJHON One of my favorites too! Hopefully the revival will be a success and we’ll all get to see it again!

[@tru3293]

They were supposed to revive it this year but because of covid it might be another 20 till we see it again How sad

[@katiek619]

Saw this as a child on Broadway and it was life changing. Disney....I’m STILL waiting on an animated version of this so I can watch it over and over!

[@tin9600]

Same, literally changed my life

[@beethovensfidelio]

2:40 Imagine instead of Princess Tiana, AIDA would have been *Disney’s first animated black princess!* One can only dream! 😊 (Then again, Aida doesn’t come with fancy gowns that Disney could market; and she’s not virginal like the other Disney animated princesses are, since she eventually *sleeps with Radames,* therefore not making Aida part of the “Disney Princess Collection” might have been all for the best!)

[@BehindTheMagic]

She would’ve been a really cool Disney princess! But I’m glad Disney took the more “adult” route with the musical. Still, it’s neat to think about what an animated AIDA would’ve been like!

[@queenmedesa]

Actually, it was going to be an animated film, instead of a musical

[@TimeandMonotony]

This was really interesting! I just watched Aida on YT and I absolutely loved it! I'm going to buy the OBC recording off Amazon so I can listen to the wonderful songs over and over again. Shame that the critics are so harsh on Disney musicals, but ah well, such is life. The Mouse is crying all the way to the bank.

[@BehindTheMagic]

The cast recording is wonderful! It’ll be money well spent!

[@mehmetadembarissever]

It is one of my fav albums. I'm still hoping a movie adaptation will happen someday soon.

[@TimeandMonotony]

@@mehmetadembarissever Same here! Wonderful album for a wonderful musical. Here's hoping Disney will make a movie of it someday, it deserves a wider audience!

[@iliekmegapie]

Aida was my first Broadway love and holds a MASSIVE place in my heart. This video is incredible! Thank you so much. Here’s hoping for an Aida revival once Broadway is back up and running!

[@misaamane7425]

my mother took me to Aida i was thrilled seeing a Broadway show and heather headley and adam pascal were electric. taylor dayne was amneris and she was great. i have such fond memories of this show. i wish it will come back to Broadway

[@BehindTheMagic]

I think it definitely will someday!

[@mlizp]

This is the first musical I ever saw on Broadway if they did a revival I would definitely want to see it again.

[@tru3293]

I saw this show 4 times in the Palace Theater New York City in the 2000, this show brings me to tears every time. Still does! It's been 20 years and in my eyes and in my heart this show will never die!

[@BehindTheMagic]

Wow! I’m so jealous! AIDA is definitely on my list of shows I wish I could’ve seen on Broadway! I’m so glad this show moved you so deeply!

[@vinceinelkins]

I saw the final night on Broadway with the complete OBC. It was electric. The most beautiful theatre experience I have ever viewed.

[@jasonpower6578]

I’m glad they put a play regarding Ethiopia. The country gets overlooked and underrepresented

[@rlallkissoon426]

Aida is so underrated. I loved EVERY aspect of it.

[@richardhirshberg5659]

This was one of my favorite musicals ever. The music is fantastic and the story just wonderful. Would love to see a revival.

[@msp_isyourteacher6139]

My first and favorite Broadway show! I saw this as a junior in HS when my choir went to NYC. I saw it again when my sister’s university put it on. I loved it again. I feel so blessed to have heard and seen the OG cast performance. It still doesn’t get old listening to it! On further note, I grew up classically trained as well as being in Musical Theatre. I actually saw the Opera for Aida before seeing the musical. This adaptation did it SO much justice it in my opinion. I just can’t with the new adaptations (with the exception of Menzell doing “Strongest Suit”)

[@BehindTheMagic]

Such a great 1st Broadway show! And how awesome that you had the opera to compare it to!

[@victoriabell9546]

I am a simple woman. I see the queen, Heather Headley, I click.

[@Chaundramukhi-Li]

I saw The Lion King on Broadway first and then Aida! I have great memories as a child with my mom ❤️

[@zima04]

Aida will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first Broadway show ever. I’m still longing to perform this show. No one does it nearly enough. I saw alot of fantastic folks in it including Adam, Cheyenne Jackson, Felicia Finely, and Simone just to name a few.

[@aaronfletcher8745]

I spotted a clip from The King's Academy's production in there. I love their productions! Seriously, if any of you want to watch a high-quality production of Aida, that's where to look. They're high school kids, but they are incredible! That was my introduction to this wonderful musical and to many others! I love Aida so much.

[@BehindTheMagic]

The videos I’ve seen from them have been amazing!

[@raymondbutiong7663]

I was lucky enough to see this on Broadway with the OBC right after they won the Tony that year. It's amazing show that needs to have a revival. Thank you for putting this together. Very interesting story.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Oh, if only I had a time machine, I think I would’ve tried to see this at least three times! 😂

[@jennyg5767]

I vividly remember that Aida was snubbed and not nominated for a Tony

[@raymondbutiong7663]

It was Heather Headley who won theTony for AIDA.. was lucky enough to see her performance after her win.

[@wouldntyouliketoknow5342]

Out of all the Broadway shows I’ve seen in my life. This is the true standout in my memory when I used to live in Atlanta I have the good fortune to be able to see it live. I’ve always wondered if they would ever bring it back and truly wish they would!

[@Porter5habazz]

Absolutely LOVE Heather Headly.

[@barbarastansbury9670]

I saw this 3 times on Broadway while in college. They did an amazing $20 front row rush ticket.

[@justimagine2403]

I saw this in Chicago. I still listen to the soundtrack. It was amazing. Both Adam Pascal and Heather have such amazing and distinctive voices. Amazing show!

[@natbuchbinder3249]

Saw this as a ten year old and it blew my mind! This made me nostalgic

[@natashad3418]

One of the best musicals ever!!!

[@BehindTheMagic]

Agreed!

[@candaceharmon2919]

Oooommmmmgggggg if Aida could be revived on Broadway..... I would sooo go to see it! I played Aida my senior year in high school! ❤❤

[@melm6797]

I was so excited to see Aida again. It was scheduled to be in my city during the national tour in 2021. How disappointed I was when covid changed that possibility.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Fingers crossed the tour will happen some time in the future! 🤞🏾

[@fangirlfortheages5940]

My mom played this soundtrack when I was a kid and it just sends me right back. Although now when I hear my strongest suit I can’t help but remember a disastrous audition I did with it :)

[@lonellfletcher]

Aida not being nominated for and winning Best Musical is one of Tony's dumbest decisions.

[@FidesAla]

Oh please please please a new production -- shows are already back up here in Japan, and it's a lot more popular here than it is in NY so maybe the new production will come here, too-- ... hopefully with a better translation than before... This is probably my favorite musical other than Les Miz, I'm really sort of just... head-tilt "why?" at the reviews that hate the music, because it just... structurally... emotionally... *works*, more than at least 90% of musicals. Broadway critics do just have a *thing* against Disney and Disney-esque/non-Disney shows, Anastasia got the same treatment much more recently.

[@BehindTheMagic]

I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that the new production will be a hit and will be produced all around the world! And I agree, critics do seem to have it out for Disney and similar shows. PS: I got to perform in Japan back in 2015 and absolutely fell in love! What a beautiful country! ❤️

[@YLTxoxo]

Just came from a showing of the Dutch version(one of it’s last shows too) in 2024. And I really want this to be an animated or a live action film for everyone to enjoy!

[@ericjanssen394]

Our local theater group, which would put on scaled-down recent Broadway hits, did a version of Aida built for a standard high-school style stage. Turns out the show didn't absolutely NEED an onstage swimming pool, or a fashion catwalk, or gigantic pyramid scenery to tell the story with the songs. Told Disney about it, and that started them licensing school-theater versions of their hit Broadway shows.

[@danielharrison7426]

I would love to see this live. The music is so amazing.

[@KM-ql4eb]

I was so fortunate to see it several times, lucky enough to be a train ride away from Manhattan. It was incredible.

[@thomasbradley4505]

It was going to be revived in London before moving to broadway, but has been postponed due to covid. I hear it will still be done, probably next year. 🤞

[@TheItachiIshtar]

Really enjoyed this video, and look forward to checking out more from your channel! I'd love to see you do a History of the stage musical version of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, because it's so fascinating, despite never receiving a proper run on Broadway. It started out in Berlin from 1999-2002, and wouldn't receive another production until the La Jolla Playhouse/Papermill Playhouse productions in 2014/2015. Allegedly, one of the main reasons Hunchback never transferred to Broadway was because the use of an onstage choir would have been too expensive due to union rules on Broadway. So instead, Disney produced a Cast Recording Album and started licensing Hunchback out to other theatres and schools. Still think it's a crime Hunchback never got a chance on Broadway, cause it deserves it for the music alone.

[@dublinjohn2379]

I saw Aida 8 times at the Palace Theatre a nd everytime i loved it more and more Heather Headley made this show and the music and staging were amazing Next to Sunset Boulevard its my favourite Broadway Musical !

[@PILOSOPAUL]

I really just wished that Elton John and Tim Rice did what Larson did on Rent wherein Larson quoted a famous melody from the reference material, La Boheme (Musetta's Waltz being played by Roger)

[@bardlover6]

It’s a gorgeous show. Came on tour once to my town but I knew nothing about it. Once I heard the cast album, I couldn’t stop kicking myself for not seeing it

[@mosesfloyd3223]

1:20 chills!!!

[@sherripatterson8115]

This is one of my very favorite musicals and I so wish I had gotten the opportunity to see it on Broadway especially with the original cast. I hadn’t even heard of it until my daughter’s high school put on the production. Love listening to the cast album and would love to see it brought back to Broadway. I so wish there was a film of the original production too. I think all Broadway shows should film their original cast productions - perhaps not quite as elaborately as they did with Hamilton but in some way to immortalize the original cast and open up the opportunity for more people to see the performances once the show has stopped playing on Broadway or Broadway tours. Hopefully it would make these shows more accessible to people who aren’t able to travel to NYC or afford expensive show tickets but still showcase these amazingly talented performers.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Agreed on all fronts!

[@turkoala9193]

They actually do record every single Broadway musical now, but it's done with a small camera way in the back of the house and the quality is pretty low. The videos are then stored in a specific library in NYC and are super hard to access as they are for purely archival purposes thus are not allowed to be viewed by the general public.

[@scottharrison7857]

Great video. I saw it on Broadway and I absolutely LOVED IT!!!! It made me cry. It sounds like it had the same history as "WICKED." In a video I watched on Wicked. It opened to mix reviews both on Broadway and the West End in England. Yet it well loved and a following also. Another similarity to Wicked is that Wicked also got snubbed at the Tony's believed to be due to the critics. Both shows have had a long run. If Broadway wasn't shut down Wicked would still be running and it will be back. As it stand right now Wicked is the 5th longest running show on Broadway and it opened to mix reviews. What the heck do critics know. They are just another person's opinion. Some of the best shows, movies and television programs have gotten bad reviews.

[@queenmedesa]

Screw the critics!

[@Bowiebonolennon1982]

I saw it in Atlanta in the 90’s... it was phenomenal.

[@singsingsing22]

This is the one show I long to see more than any other!!!

[@BehindTheMagic]

Me too! If only we had a time machine!

[@inkpage3769]

I am so excited that you made a video about this show! It was one of my first Broadway shows in NY and the cast was incredible. This show is not talked about enough. I loved getting to know more about the early history of the show in your video. I’ve been binge watching this Broadway series today and can’t wait to see what video you make next!

[@hellopumpkin86]

Your videos are so professional and so well narrated. I love it. :)

[@lorealroache7034]

Wow wow wow!!!! This makes me so happy, what a freaking cool story!!

[@lakesideparkplace]

omg they need to make a movie based on the musical. 😭

[@JPG.Co7379]

I watched this cast around 2003 ish and they have been by far one of my favorite and best cast I’ve ever watched.

[@Chaundramukhi-Li]

I saw the lion king first then Aida was my second ! I had great memories with my mom ❤️

[@flleathercop]

Love this show!!!

[@BehindTheMagic]

Chris Congdon Yay! It’s one of my favorites! Aida, Wicked, and Hairspray were my first Broadway obsessions!

[@KM-ql4eb]

So amazing. Dance of the Robe gives me chills.

[@katiehickey4539]

Wait a minute, New Dream Aida Collection; 1 Aida Book, 1 Aida Opera, 1 Elaborate Lives; The Legend of Aida, and Aida Broadway Musical.

[@user-bq7ch9fg1m]

I watched the last AIDA last year, in Korea. I really miss the show:(

[@cathya7045]

this is actually supposed to play in Philly for the season this year was going to go but thank you covid hopefully I got a chance to see it one of these days

[@PapaLobo94]

Can this show for the love of God please come back to Broadway already?

[@Gbrk56]

Disney’s new adaptation of Aida just premiered in The Netherlands!

[@emmanuelventura4252]

wow this is a great behind the scenes look! thanks! Im going to subscribe to this channel !

[@RR49-01]

This is the movie that Disney should make! Animated or live action! It would kill!

[@chrissyr8387]

I would love to see this come back to broadway after rona. It has a really good plot!!!

[@Lizwindsor]

I saw Aida with Adam, Heather and Taylor. It was remarkable!

[@Kaytee-miow]

Would love to see this live b4 i leave this life

[@gstone8255]

I never know Idina was in this show ❗️ She is one of my favorite actress 🥰

[@franciscomoviebuff1368]

13:58 Correction! Idina worked with disney prior to this. She had a minor role in Hercules the animated series

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

She did?

[@MarcusMartn]

Beauty and the beast was my first broadway show at the palace theater here in nyc

[@BehindTheMagic]

Amazing! It was my second Broadway show, after WICKED, but I saw it after it had moved to the Lunt-Fontanne. The Beast’s transformation at the end blew my mind!

[@tin9600]

My favorite 💕

[@tayloredwards4968]

I actually saw this show it was so good. It should be made into a movie and be brought back on Broadway

[@rafael2212]

I just saw Adam Pascal on frame and clicked so fast

[@simmonedavis98]

When I hear Idina Menzel's voice, all I hear is Let It Go

[@BehindTheMagic]

She’s definitely got a super distinct voice!

[@PILOSOPAUL]

OMG I didn't know Idina played Amneris

[@aericabison23]

I hope you guys do an episode on how The Lion King came to Broadway.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Definitely planning to! Will probably do a vid on every Disney musical eventually!

[@queenmedesa]

I would love to see that animated version

[@victorr6871]

i hope my school will do a number from aida for their anniversary, they were going to do aida last year, but covid came and so they never did, and so this year they are doing a anniversary for all the shows they’ve done, don’t think they’ll be doing an aida number though since they never performed it, if they do, i’m set for Radames😈

[@BehindTheMagic]

I hope they do too! I’m sure you’ll be a great Radames!

[@OrisStories]

Gee! Sure hope that Germany premiere will work!

[@barron8180]

I hope they make into a live action film

[@BehindTheMagic]

Me too!

[@queenmedesa]

No, thanks, the PC hypocrites would ruin it

[@Jrsdigest]

Disney should make this into an animated musical like Moana/Encanto/Tangled/Frozen!

[@overnightsiren]

Where did you get that footage from the preview shows? I'd love to see it!

[@BehindTheMagic]

Here ya go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJrEZpqDa5ppbKs

[@ZoraTheberge]

Disney does this thing where they develop shows exclusively for licensing. They did it with Hunchback, Freaky Friday, and it was planned for Newsies. (But then it went to Broadway). Considering Frozen on Broadway was a failure by Disney’s own standards, (plus Covid downturn) it doesn’t seem likely really that they’d want to dump a ton of money into a brand new Broadway production of Aida for a while. And I think they’re happy with how it does on the regional/school licensing circuit. A staged concert/live Tv special a la The Wiz Live seems like a logical step for Aida. You could get your a list cast like Ariana Grande as Amneris and Halle Bailey as Aida because a one night production is an easier commitment than a Broadway run. Air it on ABC or straight to Disney+. You could use it to gauge interest in a Broadway production and reignite licensing.

[@erinskelly3714]

I would love it if they would do a live TV performance like was done with The Wiz.

[@Donde_Lieta]

Leontyne Price 😍😍😍 MY QUEEN

[@gabrielledemoulin5787]

We loved Taylor Wayne in Aida.

[@gamingcaleb9779]

These have been great. Are you going to do Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, and Mary Poppins?

[@davidpacheco7124]

One of my favorite musicals 💕😊 Beyonce & Christina Aguilera 👍 Would love to hear that!!!

[@user-zd7bc9oo6m]

Aida

[@Someone-bw9gn]

At 14:46 was part of TKAs version! It’s amazing! You can watch it on KZbin kzbin.info/aero/PLzvdeRjhZpVkDcQXydWJTPHBnVpjQxs7Q

[@BehindTheMagic]

That’s so awesome!!! I actually watched a couple of clips from your production when I was making this video, and they all blew me away!

[@aaronfletcher8745]

@@BehindTheMagic I love TKA so much! So many incredible productions! I highly recommend taking the time to watch a few full productions of theirs. They've introduced me to lots of incredible musicals such as Ghost the Musical and of course Aida.

[@startingupthemusical1067]

Where is the orchestral portion from 10:00 from? Sounds so good!

[@BehindTheMagic]

It’s from the concept album!

[@startingupthemusical1067]

@@BehindTheMagic Ah thank you!

[@ajmalaika1287]

I feel like they need a revival The music sounds amazing but personally, I feel like the OCR needs better mixing cause the music often drowns the vocals I'd love to see the stage production maybe it would fully sway me to love it like most

[@ajmalaika1287]

I WANT THE BEYONCE MOVIE!!!!!

[@BehindTheMagic]

I definitely hope the revival and the movie happen eventually!

[@sableindian]

Hey! I have that book.

[@mj6962]

Anyone with good taste should know by now that “Critics” are ALWAYS full of crap and are NEVER right!!

[@BehindTheMagic]

If you’re enjoying my videos, don’t forget to subscribe!

[@lisaschaffel266]

You should make Behind the magic history and Legacy of Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King

[@MasonThomas_yt]

Sherrie is my indina

[@CindersSpot]

Ethiopia? Isn't the show about a conflict between Ancient Egypt and Nubia? As far as I can tell, Nubia is in modern-day Egypt and Sudan. Where does Ethiopia come into play?

[@RobertPahlavi-ko4gj]

Opera diva ? #disney #Diva

[@simonyanga9551]

Sorry but why did Heather leave Aida?

[@BehindTheMagic]

She stuck with the show for over a year once it came to Broadway (from February 2000 - September 2001), which is a pretty long run for an original cast member. The role was EXTREMELY demanding, and she had been a part of the show since workshops, so I’m sure she was ready for a break!

[@simonyanga9551]

@@BehindTheMagic ohw okay, I'm getting interested in broadway and stuff, I thought original cast members play till the show ends or is cancelled. Thank you for the info

[@LynnHermione]

Critics are so unnecessary.

[@queenmedesa]

And the people who follow their advice

[@jamespearse4512]

Thank god they didn’t make the Beyoncé / Xtina movie they’re not the right ones. Would love to see Cynthia Erivo and Renee Rapp do it