John Rice Musical

Elton John, Tim Rice musical 'Aida' hits local stage

By Jessica Wiant- jwiant@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER-Take a classic, well-known opera and throw in a little glamour and rock 'n' roll and you've got the makings for Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre's next offering: "Aida."

"Aida" tells the story of an Egyptian warrior who falls in love with a Nubian slave serving as maid to an Egyptian princess, according to director Hal Herman.

Many people know the story of "Aida," Herman said, but it's exciting to entice audiences to come out and see it for themselves. The audience did vote to bring the show in, after all, and it is Shenandoah's first attempt at producing it.

"A lot of people really know the opera and would like to see that story told," he said.

But unlike the age-old opera version, in the musical, the score's music is by Elton John and lyrics are by Tim Rice, "both of whom are extremely talented artists," Herman said. "I would not have called myself an Elton John fan, but I really do love the score."

From the choreography to the costumes, an Elton John version of the "Aida" story lends itself to a more contemporary, rockin' feel, according to those involved with the production.

The third of four musicals being staged by the program this summer, "Aida" will premiere Wednesday and run through July 17 at Shenandoah University's Ohrstom-Bryant Theatre.

Costume designer Joe Kucharski, an alumni of the program who came in from southern California to do the wardrobe for "Aida," described the show as rock 'n' roll-meets-Egyptian times, and said the music even includes electric guitars.

That allows for a more modern take with the show, letting them borrow from today's fashions with a Greek/Egyptian feel, especially for the princess, who in one scene holds her own fashion show, Kucharski said. The slaves, on the other hand, have a dirty, distressed look, he said.

The choreography, by longtime Summer Music Theatre contributor Robin Higginbotham, also gets to run the gamut, including some rock 'n' roll moves and some more exotic numbers featuring moments of African-style dancing.

Higginbotham is a working actor in New York who comes down most summers to participate in the program, according to Herman.

This summer she has roles in "Curtains" and "Oliver," while choreographing "Aida." "We like to have her do double duty during the year for us," Herman said.

Actors with lead roles in the production include Felicia Curry, as Aida; Lou Steele, as Radames; Erika Conaway, as Amneris; and Ted Anderson, as Zoser.

Elton John, Tim Rice musical 'Aida' hits local stage - Lifestyle ...

By Jessica Wiant- jwiant@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER-Take a classic, well-known opera and throw in a little glamour and rock 'n' roll and you've got the makings for Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre's next offering: "Aida."

"Aida" tells the story of an Egyptian warrior who falls in love with a Nubian slave serving as maid to an Egyptian princess, according to director Hal Herman.

Many people know the story of "Aida," Herman said, but it's exciting to entice audiences to come out and see it for themselves. The audience did vote to bring the show in, after all, and it is Shenandoah's first attempt at producing it.

"A lot of people really know the opera and would like to see that story told," he said.

But unlike the age-old opera version, in the musical, the score's music is by Elton John and lyrics are by Tim Rice, "both of whom are extremely talented artists," Herman said. "I would not have called myself an Elton John fan, but I really do love the score."

From the choreography to the costumes, an Elton John version of the "Aida" story lends itself to a more contemporary, rockin' feel, according to those involved with the production.

The third of four musicals being staged by the program this summer, "Aida" will premiere Wednesday and run through July 17 at Shenandoah University's Ohrstom-Bryant Theatre.

Costume designer Joe Kucharski, an alumni of the program who came in from southern California to do the wardrobe for "Aida," described the show as rock 'n' roll-meets-Egyptian times, and said the music even includes electric guitars.

That allows for a more modern take with the show, letting them borrow from today's fashions with a Greek/Egyptian feel, especially for the princess, who in one scene holds her own fashion show, Kucharski said. The slaves, on the other hand, have a dirty, distressed look, he said.

The choreography, by longtime Summer Music Theatre contributor Robin Higginbotham, also gets to run the gamut, including some rock 'n' roll moves and some more exotic numbers featuring moments of African-style dancing.

Higginbotham is a working actor in New York who comes down most summers to participate in the program, according to Herman.

This summer she has roles in "Curtains" and "Oliver," while choreographing "Aida." "We like to have her do double duty during the year for us," Herman said.

Actors with lead roles in the production include Felicia Curry, as Aida; Lou Steele, as Radames; Erika Conaway, as Amneris; and Ted Anderson, as Zoser.

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