Lyric Stage Presents AIDA
Music By Elton John
Book & Lyrics by Tim Rice
Director Sasha Maya Ada
Music Director/Music Supervisor Bruce Greer
Choreographer Kelly McCain
Scenic Design Theresa Furphy
Lighting Design Scott Guenther
Sound Design Bill Eickenloff
Costume Design Jasmine Woods
Properties Design Spencer Meador
Production Stage Mgr Maddie Collins
Musicians
Bruce Greer (Conductor and Keys 1)
Benjamin Brown (Bass)
Michael Ptacin (Drums)
Aaron Sutton (Guitar 1)
Raegan Felker (Guitar 2)
Amanda Casper (Horn)
Jimmy Benecasa(Keys 2)
Jeremy Hunt (Keys 3)
Megan Von Dreau (Percussion)
Christian Gonzalez (Reed 1)
Catherine Conlin(Reed 2)
Katrina Glaze (Violin 1)
Rachel Bundy(Violin 2)
Miguel Cantu (Viola)
James Zauner (Cello)
Asst Choreographer Ania Lyons
Asst Stage Mgr Evelyn Dumeer
Wardrobe Asst Maya Ferrer
Intimacy Coordinator Kelsey Milbourn
CAST
Rachel Nicole Poole
Ryan Michael Friedman
Jayden Russell
John Tillman
Maxton Rhys Sims
Natassia Dominique
Ivan Jones
Jason Hallman
Jessica Webba
Jonah Munroe
Alena Cardenez
Monkevis Edwards
Tychelle Bearden
Maya Hernandez-Pearson
Antavius Draughn
Octavian Lewis
Devin Johnson
Jacob Sewell
Pratiksha Tonpe
Taylor D Williams
Sydney Cornelius
Arianna Reed
Thi Le
Hayley Meyer
Alyssa Melton
Sabrina Daly
My thoughts on AIDA or…a star rises over the Pyramids.
There is a star rising over the pyramid that dominates the stage of Lyric Stage’s AIDA and that star’s name is Rachel Nicole Poole who plays the title role. I knew Poole was a major talent before this production, but this pushes her into another realm. We are talking Audra McDonald kind of talent. If you’ve never seen Rachel perform, you are missing a legend in the making. Yes, she’s that good.
And Rachel Nicole Poole is just one of the reasons to see this gloriously produced musical. Director Sasha Maya Ada creates beautiful stage pictures on Theresa Furphy’s majestic pyramid themed set enhanced by Scott Guenther’s dramatic lighting. Music Director Bruce Greer helms the AIDA orchestra that envelops the auditorium with AIDA’s pop score and transports us to Ancient Egypt. Kelly McCain’s choreography is fast paced, exciting to watch, and precisely executed by the dynamic AIDA ensemble. The wonderful costumes from Jasmine Woods evoke the time period with a modern twist or two. The entire creative team has outdone themselves here and made AIDA a stunning production.
There are multiple stars in this tale of a romance that transcends time between Radames, an Egyptian captain betrothed to the Pharoah’s daughter and the slave Aida, a princess from Nubia, who is torn between her love for the Egyptian and her love for her country and its people.
Ryan Michael Friedman, a veteran star of the Lyric Stage, is Radames. Friedman has a fine, strong tenor voice and has the acting skills to create compassion for the character whose forbidden love brings deadly consequences. Friedman was particularly good at showing how his love for Aida grows subtly into an all-consuming passion that causes him to risk everything. Friedman and Poole make “Written in the Stars” an outstanding duet.
Jayden Russell is the Egyptian princess Amneris to whom Radames is betrothed and to whom Aida is a trusted servant. Russell, with her extraordinary vocals and undeniable stage presence, takes her character from a somewhat campy fashionista in “My Strongest Suit” to a woman betrayed in “I Know the Truth” and her journey is heartfelt and convincing. Russell is most definitely another star on the rise.
Mereb, a young Nubian slave who is a servant to Radames, is played by Maxton Rhys Sims. Sims is an audience favorite and deservedly so. Sims makes Mereb an animated character, clever, brave, and caring. In addition to his vocal prowess, Sims has a most appealing presence and a hard to describe endearing quality. There’s no denying that Sims is a major talent.
John Tillman is excellent as Zoser, the father of Radames. Zoser is forceful and power hungry and the talented Tillman makes him easy to despise. Tillman has a rock star voice, and his fiery vocals are showcased in “Another Pyramid” and “Like Father, Like Son.”
Natassia Dominique’s Nehebka, the self-sacrificing Nubian slave who befriends Aida, is unforgettable. Dominique’s soaring vocals and compelling acting make her impossible to ignore on stage. She brings star quakity to a supporting role.
Jason Hallman as Pharoah and Ivan Jones as Amonasro, the Nubian king and father of Aida , do not have a great deal of stage time in the musical, but both of these seasoned veterans are impressive and formidable actors.
AIDA has a large sensational ensemble that is one of the main elements of the musical’s overwhelming power and many in the ensemble have been leads in other productions. Their stirring and moving “The Gods Love Nubia” is still echoing in my head and I can’t wait to hear them again on my second visit.
Director Ada has done brilliant casting here beginning with future superstar Rachel Nicole Poole and her pacing and feel for characters have made this AIDA a gripping, emotional, and exhilarating success. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew and to Lyric Stage for yet another triumph.
