Guardian

Issue date: 5/9/07 Section: Feature

Muscial theater majors, Richard Jarrett and Desi Shurelds take on the leading roles in this spring season production of Aida.

Rock opera Aida will end the theater department's spring season with one of its biggest productions so far, featuring music by Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice. Aida is a story about the love between Egyptian Captain Radames and Nubian slave princess Aida.

They meet when Radames is already betrothed to Pharaoh's daughter Amneris. Pharaoh wants them married so that Radames can take the throne.

"I represent the state and the duties that you have, and Radames and his love for a slave girl Aida stands for fighting against the standard of what should be right," said musical theater major Jerome Doerger, who plays Pharaoh.

Aida was captured by a group of Egyptians, led by Captain Radames, while out with her friends, against her father, Amonasro's wishes.

"Nobody knows she's the princess, except for her people, and so the people, the Nubians that are captured and are living in Egypt want her to take over the responsibility of being their princess, you know, find a way for them to get out," said musical theater major Desi Shurelds, who plays Aida.

The roles of Amonasro, played by musical theater major Shavey Brown, and Pharaoh are challenging for the two twenty-something actors who had to act not only like old men, but also like kings.

"He (Amonasro) just wants to make sure everybody's okay. I also like to make sure that all of my friends who I go to school with and in the play are okay," said Brown.

The huge set, which Doeger described as "a cool mix of ancient influences with like a modern twist," and the costumes were handmade.

Aida's directed by Greg Hellems (Grease), with music by Rick Church (Three Penny Opera) and choreography by Teressa Wylie McWilliams (Ragtime). The set was designed by Pam Lavarnway and junior Christopher Mumaw and costumes are by D. Bartlett Blair.

"This is about a love that crossed war and I think that being in the state that we are now, with war, it's always interesting to see other effects that war has," said Doerger.

Showings are May 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 at 8 p.m., May 13, 19-20, 26-27 at 3 p.m., and May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Festival Playhouse. Tickets are $19 for adults and $17 for students and seniors.

For additional information, call the Box Office at (937)775-2500.

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