Theater preview: Aida

by Kip Mooney of North Texas Daily

War. Slavery. Betrayal. Murder. Romance.

"This is a story of love that flourished in a time of hate," the opening song from Aida declares.

Music Theatre of Denton's production, based on Giuseppi Verdi's opera of the same name, opens tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The show portrays a timeless tale of forbidden love set to the music of Elton John and Tim Rice.

In the musical, Aida is taken from her native land of Nubia and forced into slavery. She and Army Capt. Radames fall in love during a time of political and social upheaval while Radames is engaged to Amneris, princess of Egypt.

"This story is the ultimate love story," director Vicki Kirkley said. "It's about life and love and sacrifice and everything that's fantastic in our world, and I think it has heart and motivation to move us toward being better."

Kirkley said she feels the cast assembled for this production exceeds even the original New York cast.

"You'll never find a more talented group of individuals ever put together on stage," Kirkley said. "You could have a Broadway cast, and they wouldn't be this good."

Other members of the cast agree that it's top-notch.

"Everyone is so incredibly talented," Ally Poole, who plays Behepka, said. "Everyone can do so many things it's kind of ridiculous."

The cast includes high school and college students, as well as others from the area.

In his musical theatre debut, Kennon Pickett plays Zoser, the musical's villain.

"He's mean, he's a killer, he puts people to death," Pickett said. "He's very ambitious; he's extremely conniving and plotting."

Pickett says the role was enjoyable because it allowed him to go against type.

"It's actually opposite my real personality, so it's a lot of fun."

Adding to the enjoyment is the unfamiliarity of being involved in this type of production.

"This is my first experience in musical theater," he said. "It's not my first experience in music. I'm actually the worship leader at Faith United Methodist Church."

Pickett said he would participate in another production again in a heartbeat, despite the challenges performing produced.

"It's long hours; it's a lot of work" he said. "It's actually a lot harder than I imagined, but totally worth it. The payoff's a lot bigger."

Poole said she feels being involved with the musical gave her more than experience. It gave her new friendships.

"I love the people. This is one of the best casts I've ever been in," she said. "I've made so many friends."

And the friendships formed on and off the stage are truly magical moments, the director said.

"Any time that you get a group of people together that are as passionate about something as you are, it is a gift," Kirkley said.

Theater junior Garrett Jones said that even non-Broadway fans will enjoy the show.

"The tunes are not like Cats, and all that," Jones said. "They're not Andrew Lloyd Webber; it's Elton John who wrote it. So they've actually got a touch of rock in there, a little hip-hop."

Overall, Kirkley feels that while the show challenges and engages the audience, it's still an escape from the trials and tribulations of the world.

"It's truly about expressing life in a time where we are all striving to find something to live for and something to be happy about," Kirkley said. "You know with the economy crashing and all the bitterness about the election and everything else, why not come and lose yourself in a love story that, in the end, makes you want to do better and make a difference in somebody's life?"

The musical starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances will be on Oct. 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.