Disney's latest musical Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida may have another life somewhere, but it will be with a different creative team. Disney has dismissed the musical's director Robert Jess Roth, choreographer Matt West and design crew, confirmed Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Disney's New York press rep. The office had no further comment on the action.
Elaborate Lives opened at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre on Oct. 7 to mixed reviews and technical problems concerning its central set piece, a large pyramid. A few times, the pyramid malfunctioned, forcing the musical to be completed in concert fashion.
It is unclear what the next step for the musical will be. For a while, there was talk of a second regional outing, possibly in Chicago, and then a Broadway transfer for spring 1999. Those plans appear to be in limbo until a new creative team is selected. The musical's former design team read like a carbon copy of Beauty and the Beast's. Scenic designer Stanley A. Meyer, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward, lighting designer Natasha Katz, and hair designer David Lawrence are all veterans of the original Broadway production of Beauty, as was director Robert Jess Roth.
Elaborate Lives, with music by Elton John and Tim Rice, closed in Atlanta on Nov. 8.
The tale of Aida, made famous by Verdi's 1871 opera, concerns an enslaved African princess, Aida, and her doomed love for the captain of the Egyptian guard, Radames, who is in turn desired by Aida's royal mistress, Amneris. As of Sept. 29, the musical's song list went as follows:
Act I:
"Every Story Is a Love Story"
"Our Nation Holds Sway"
"The Past Is Another Land"
"Another Pyramid"
"How I Know You"
"My Strongest Suit"
"Night of Nights"
"Enchantment Passing Through"
"The Dance of the Robe"
"Elaborate Lives"
"Our Nation Holds Sway" (reprise)
Act II
"A Step Too Far"
"Easy as Life"
"Like Father Like Son"
"The Gods Love Nubia"
"How I Know You" (reprise)
"Written in the Stars"
"I Know the Truth"
"Night of Nights" (reprise) "The Judgement" "I Know the Truth" (reprise)
"The Messenger"
"Every Story is a Love Story" (reprise)
