Aida (2000), a musical play by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, David Henry Hwang (book), Elton John (music), Tim Rice (lyrics). [ Palace Theatre, still running.] Only the basic story of Verdi's celebrated opera is retained in this soft‐rock version of the tragic romance between the slave‐princess Aida (Heather Headley) and the Egyptian prince Radames (Adam Pascal). Notable songs: Every Story Is a Love Story; Elaborate Lives; My Strongest Suit. Bob Crowley's creative, anachronistic sets and Natasha Katz's dazzling lighting contributed greatly to the musical's modern temperament, and Headley's Tony Award–winning performance certainly helped. Generally trounced by the critics, the Disney production was an audience favorite from the start. Elton JOHN [né Reginald Kenneth Dwight] (b. 1947) was born in Pinner, England, and educated at London's Royal Academy of Music. Since 1970 he has been an internationally famous rock star who performs his own music (usually with lyrics by Bernie Taupin). John's first theatre venture was writing additional songs for his movie score for The Lion King when it was adapted for Broadway in 1997.

The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. Copyright © 2004 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.