Braxton, who made her Broadway debut as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, will join another Disney hit, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. Beginning June 30 Braxton will star in the title role of the musical for a four-month engagement.
In a statement, Braxton said, “I am very excited to be coming back to Broadway as Aida. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been a fan of Elton John's music, and to be able to sing the wonderful score he wrote with Tim Rice will be a terrific challenge both as a singer and as an actress." Composer Elton John returned the compliment: “Toni Braxton has one of the best voices anywhere. It's a voice I've fallen in love with ever since her first album. I think she is going to be amazing as Aida."
Aida — at the Palace Theatre — features a book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang, sets and costumes by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, choreography by Wayne Cilento and direction by Robert Falls. The company currently features Adam Pascal as Radames, Felicia Finley as Amneris and Simone as Aida. Former Full Monty star Will Chase will replace original cast member Pascal in June.
The Palace Theatre is located at Broadway and 47th Street, and tickets are available by calling the Disney hotline, (212) 307-4747. A Dutch language production of Aida opened in Amsterdam in the fall of 2001, and a touring company is currently making its way across the country. On Broadway, Aida plays Tuesdays at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.