AIDA: Love Divided at Toby's

Not to be confused with the opera by Giuseppe Verdi which debuted in 1871, AIDA the musical (with music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice) is yet another spin on the popular "Romeo and Juliet" theme of star-crossed lovers. While in Shakespeare's tale, the insurmountable hurdle of true love is two warring families, in AIDA, it is two warring nations, in this case, Nubia and Egypt.

Billed as a "timeless love story," AIDA tells the tale of a Nubian princess, Aida (Ashley Ware), and her captor, an Egyptian captain named Radames (David Jennings).

Ms. Ware is extremely well-cast as the princess-turned-slave Aida, small in stature but titanic in heart and voice, Ms. Ware shook the stage with her vocal talents as she sang her pain of a woman held captive, not merely by chains, but by love, honor and duty to country. Her co-star, Mr. Jennings, is not quite Ms. Ware's equal in terms of voIce Talent, but purports himself well, a commanding presence on stage

The play begins where it ends, in a museum, as the statue of Pharoah's daughter, Amneris (Jamie Eacker) comes to life to belt out "Every Story is a Love Story," and I suppose that's true, especially when it comes to American musicals. Sets are quickly wheeled on and off stage, transporting us back to ancient Egypt where Radames and his soldiers triumph over the Nubians with "Fortune Favors the Brave." Here, Radames first encounters Aida, who proves herself proficient with a sword, besting several Egyptian soldiers. The choreography of the dance and fight scenes is crisp, swift and energetic, as is the entire production.

While Radames' father, Zoser (Darren McDonnell), plays the villain with arched eye brow and Snidely Whiplash smirk, declaring its time to build "Another Pyramid" (kill Pharoah and replace him with Radames), and Amneris and her handmaidens display the fineries of costume designer Janine Gulisano-Sunday in the number, "My Strongest Suit," Radames and Aida slowly fall in love.     

The first act concludes with "The Gods Love Nubia," a show-stopper as Aida, faithful slaves Mereb (David Gregory) and Nehebka  (Shayla Simmons), and the Nubians as chorus, sang out their love of country, simultaneously demonstrating the range and power of their voices.

Following a 25-minute intermission - a bit longer than one might expect, but then again, this is Toby's Dinner Theater, which means a full bar, buffet, salad bar and make-your-own-sundae station - the second act kicked off with "A Step Too Far" as Amneris, Radames and Aida sing of their struggles to find love and keep it in the face of war, honor and duty.

When Amonasro (Leanto Jones), the Nubian king is captured, it's not long before Aida's true identity as a princess is revealed. Will Radames sacrifice all that he owns, his career, his chance at becoming Pharaoh to free Aida's father and run away with his true love? Will Zoser's plot to kill Pharoah be discovered? Will Aida be true to her heart and escape with Radames or put her people first, and deny him? Will Amneris be merciful to Aida and Radames or will she be an angry, jilted lover? What will happen to Radames and Aida?

Well, I did say this story was akin to Romeo and Juliet, and we know what happened to them. However, AIDA is about a "love that never dies," and perhaps, centuries from now, these two lovers will be reborn and find each other again...while touring an Egyptian exhibit at a museum.  Could be...

Toby's does its usual fine job, putting on a nearly 3-hour show featuring 21 separate songs/productions that kept the audience enrapt and at curtain's end, on their feet in applause. The entire cast performed with twirling, leaping, hands-to-the-sky enthusiasm which made the time fly by.

Performances run Thursdays through Sundays at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore, located on the 2^nd level of the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center at 5625 O'Donnell Street. Doors open at 6 p.m. for evening shows, 5 p.m. on Sundays, and 10:30 a.m. for matinees. Reservations are required. For reservations or more information, ticket prices, etc., call 410-649-1660 or 1-866-99TOBYS, or visit www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

 

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