Footloose star Jeremy Kushnier assumes the role of Radames in the national touring production of Aida on March 27 when the Disney Theatrical Productions musical opens at Boston's Wang Theatre.
Kushnier, a Canadian native, was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for his work as Ren in the Broadway production of Footloose. The young actor appeared in the original Canadian companies of Rent and The Who's Tommy and was also Broadway-bound in the musical, The Rhythm Club, which played a not-for profit engagement at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, but did not make the expected move to New York.
Patrick Cassidy, who is currently playing Radames, leaves the part at the end of the show's run in Cleveland, OH. When the Elton John-Tim Rice musical comes to Boston, the cast will also include Kelli Fournier as Amneris, Radames' royal girlfriend; Paulette Ivory as the ill-fated Aida; plus Eric L. Christian as Mereb, Robert Neary as Zoser, Mark La Mura as Pharaoh, Anika Ellis as Nehebka and Jerald Vincent as Amonasro.
Produced by Disney's Buena Vista Theatrical Group, the tour — like the Broadway edition — features sets and costumes by Bob Crowley, choreography by Wayne Cilento and direction by Robert Falls. Originally developed at the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, GA, the Broadway company of Aida currently features Felicia Finley as Amneris, Simone as Aida and original lead Adam Pascal as Radames.
Aida began its tour at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre in March 2001. Upcoming tour dates for the next 12 months include: March 27-April 14 in Boston, MA at The Wang Theatre
April 16-April 28 in Providence, RI at P. PAC
May 1-May 12 in Rochester, NY at the Auditorium Center
May 14-May 26 in Buffalo, NY at Shea's PAC
May 28-June 9 in Hartford, CT at the Bushnell
June 12-July 7 in Philadelphia, PA at the Forrest Theatre
July 9-August 17 in Washington, DC at the Kennedy Center
Aug. 19-Sept. 8 in Chicago, IL at the Palace
Sept. 9-Oct. 6 in Detroit, MI at the Fisher
Oct. 7-Oct. 20 in Memphis, TN at the Orpheum
Oct. 21-Nov. 3 in Raleigh, NC at the Memorial Auditorium
Nov. 4-Nov. 24 in Atlanta, GA at the Fox
Nov. 25-Dec. 1 in Norfolk, VA at the Chrysler Hall
Dec. 9-Dec. 22 in New Orleans, LA at the Saenger
Dec. 23-Jan. 5, 2003 in Orlando, FL at the Bob Carr
Jan. 6-Jan. 12 in Jacksonville, FL at the Times Union Center
Jan. 13-Jan. 19 in Charlotte, NC at the Blumenthal
Jan. 20-Feb. 2 in Nashville, TN at the Tennessee
Feb. 3-Feb. 23 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the Broward Center
Feb. 24-March 2 in Fort Myers, FL at the Barbara B. Mann PAC
March 3-March 16 in Tampa, FL at the PAC
Tickets for the Boston run at The Wang Theatre (270 Tremont Street) are available by calling Telecharge at (800) 447-7400.
