Show Synopsis:
A man and a woman in a contemporary museum see each other in an Egyptian exhibit, and Amneris begins to narrate the story of Aida as it unfolds onstage. The Egyptian army, captained by Radames, have captured a group of Nubian women, including Aida. Radames' servant Mereb recognizes her as a Nubian princess, and she asks him to keep her identity a secret. Radames prepares to become king, not knowing his father is poisoning the Pharaoh so that Radames can rule. Aida is asked to serve Amneris, who is engaged to Radames, but Aida and Radames begin to fall in love. The Egyptians capture Aida's father and Aida sneaks into his prison cell, but Aida realizes she will have to betray Radames to free her father during his wedding. Radames wants to call off the wedding, but when Aida tells him about the plan, he agrees to marry Amneris if it means Aida will be safe. Amneris overhears them and realizes that Radames does not love her. Radames and Aida are arrested for treason and they are sentenced to be buried alive together. Back in the present-day museum, the man and woman (Aida and Radames reincarnated) introduce themselves to start a new life.
Character:
Aida, a beautiful Nubian princess in her 20s; immensely proud of her country's strength; extremely loyal to her family and those she loves; selfless.
Song Context:
Mereb has explained to Aida and her father Amonasro that Amonasro will be freed during Amneris and Radames' wedding. Aida realizes that she is going to have to lie and betray Radames, who she knows she's deeply in love with, and Amneris, who has been very kind to Aida. She grapples with the decision to let down these Egyptians or save her father and give the Nubians back their hope.
Fun Facts:
1) The plot of this Disney musical was based on Giuseppe Verdi's opera of the same name, which was originally performed in Cairo, Egypt.
2) Heather Headley originated the role of Aida and won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
3) In an interview with CNN, composer Elton John described the score's evolution from Verdi's opera to a contemporary musical: "Obviously, there is the opera by Verdi that is very solemn and operatic and theatrical. This is also very theatrical, but it's very ... I would say, very camp. More along the lines of 'Dream Girls' or 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.'"
"This is the moment when the gods expect me
To beg for help but I won't even try.
I want nothing in this world but myself to protect me
But I won't lie down, roll over and die.
All I have to do is to forget how much I love him.
All I have to do is put my longing to one side,
Tell myself that love's an ever-changing situation,
Passion would have cooled and all the magic would have died.
It's easy, it's easy.
All I have to do is to pretend I never knew him
On those very rare occasions when he steals into my heart.
Better to have lost him when the ties were barely binding,
Better the contempt of the familiar cannot start.
It's easy, It's easy
Until I think about him as he was when I last touched him
And how he would have been were I to be with him today.
Those very rare occasions don't let up they keep on coming.
All I ever wanted and I'm throwing it away.
It's easy, it's easy as life.
But then I see the faces of a worn, defeated people,
A father and a nation who won't let a coward run.
Is this how the gods reward the faithful through the ages?
Forcing us to prove the hardest things we've done
Are easy,
So easy.
And though I'll think about him 'til the earth draws in around me
And though I choose to leave him for another kind of love
This is no denial, no betrayal but redemption
Redeemed in my own eyes and in the pantheon above.
It's easy
It's easy as life
It's easy as life
It's easy as life"