Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida: The Making of a Broadway Musical

by Michael Lassell

Enthusiastically anticipated as the latest Disney stage production, following the astounding success of Julie Taymor's breakthrough production of The Lion King, Aida is certain to be a hit. Celebrated songwriter Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice present their version of the classic tale of Aida -- the story of a love triangle in which the three main characters -- Radames, Aida, and Amneris -- are torn between love for each other and greater duties.This colorful book contains all the excitement of this lavish production, detailing all the action on the stage and behind the curtain. You'll find spectacular costume sketches, fabric samples, and set designs, as well as interviews with the actors, directors, producers, and composers. Best of all are brilliantly photographed scenes that convey the full breadth of the show's beauty and drama and offer readers the next-best thing to a front-row seat.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre, Musicals

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Michael Lassell has written extensively in the fields of design, travel, the arts and GLBT studies. His poetry, stories, essays, and reviews have appeared in newspapers, magazines, books, journals and anthologies in the U.S. and abroad, as well as numerous college and university textbooks.

He has been most often anthologized for his poem, written at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, "How to Watch Your Brother Die."

His work behind the scenes on Broadway with Disney have been described as some of the most honest accounts of production life.

He was the features director of "Metropolitan Home" from 1992 until 2009. And has served as managing editor of Interview and L.A. Style magazines, as well as a theater critic for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and L.A. Weekly.

Lassell currently resides in Greenwich Village, New York City.

Also writes as Michael Lewis.

Reviews

[Juan Camilo Velandia Quijano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aida is my favorite Broadway musical. I got the chance to see it twice, and since then I've been obsessed with it. I was expecting the book to cover more about the creative process in detail, it's quite interesting to read and the pictures are amazing, but I still wanted a bit more. They had runs in Atlanta and Chicago before opening in New York, stage accidents, songs that were taken out, sets and wardrobes were completely redesigned... I would've loved to see more of that!

I keep thinking about the Hamilton book, which is still my favorite book about a musical, and compare it with Aida. I know I shouldn't do that, but that book from Lin-Manuel Miranda really takes you inside and backstage of a musical, giving you hundreds of details and anecdotes that the fans adore. I w a expecting something like that here.

But even so, the story about the birth of Aida and how it became the fabulous musical is still here, and I oved reading about it!

[Cedric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an exquisite and artistic look at the making of one of Broadway's most pristine shows. The pictures of the show's gorgeous sets and inspiring costumes wil take your breath away.
Definitely take a look at this book if you're a fan of theatre, or even if you're just curious. :)

[Ed Wagemann · Rating 1 out of 5]

What Elton John song were you listening to when you realized he was a homo?
http://generation-add.blogspot.com/20...

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

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