Valencia College Theatre is bringing the award-winning Broadway musical “Aida” to the stage as the opening show for the 2019-2020 season. This energetic and romantic rock opera epic will appear in the Performing Arts Center on Valencia College’s East Campus from October 18–26, 2019.
Winner of four Tony Awards when Disney’s Hyperion Theatrical Group first brought it to Broadway, Elton John & Tim Rice’s “Aida” is set in ancient Egypt and tells the story of an enslaved Nubian princess and her blossoming emotions for her conflicted Egyptian captor in an epic tale about the power and timelessness of love.
After being captured and kidnapped from her country, Aida finds her heart entangled with Radames, an Egyptian soldier who is destined to marry the Pharaoh’s daughter, Amneris. As Aida and Radames’ forbidden love grows, both are forced to weigh their hearts’ desire against the responsibility that they face as future leaders of their people. Aida and Radames’ love for one another becomes a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the stark cultural differences between their warring nations.
The show features music by pop legend Sir Elton John with lyrics by Sir Tim Rice, who made his reputation writing hits like “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita”. After their successful partnership writing the score for both the film and stage productions of “The Lion King”, this powerhouse team collaborated again to pen Disney’s first Broadway musical for an adult audience, leading to the inception of “Aida”. The book was written by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang. Valencia College Theatre’s production is directed by Julia Allardice Gagne with musical direction by Tim Hanes, choreography by Eric Yow and fight direction by Bill Warriner.
Valencia College Theatre will present “Aida” in the Performing Arts Center, located on Valencia College’s East Campus 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. A special ASL interpreted performance will be held on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students, Valencia faculty/staff/alumni, seniors and military. Tickets and more information are also available by calling the college box office at 407-582-2900 or visiting www.valenciacollege.edu/arts or call 407-582-2268.