Aida had several stages of development, and played Atlanta and Chicago before opening at the Palace Theatre in New York on March 23, 2000. The show was nominated for, and won, four Tony Awards, for Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, and Best Actress in a Musical (Heather Headley). This production closed on September 5, 2004.

A U.S. national tour began in March 27, 2001, and concluded on August 24, 2003. A Dutch production opened in the Netherlands in October of 2001. The show premiered at the Colosseum Theatre in Essen, Germany, and went on to tour nationally there. The show has also been seen at the Osaka MBS Theatre in Osaka, Japan, and in South Korea. In total the show has been translated into 12 languages.

Rights are available for regional productions in the U.S. - information on regional productions can be found at the Music Theatre International site.