Aida: Noah Perito Caught in a Love Triangle

has been acting since seventh grade and has really come into his own in his recent roles in last year’s spring musical, and this year’s fall play, . He will take the stage in as Radames – an Egyptian army captain caught in a .

Though he said in his personal life, the love triangle thing hasn’t come up too much, he can relate to his character through the universal struggle of love verses dreams.

Perito is currently the tenor section leader in the choir and president of the Student Council. Perito also played soccer for three of his four years at Branford High School. A high-honor student and a CAPT scholar, Perito won the Connecticut Young Writer’s Award for Prose in New Haven County, and was a finalist in the same statewide competition.

When he graduates this June from BHS, Perito may head to UConn or Pace University, but is still waiting to hear from several universities. He plans on studying Music Performance, Musical Theater, and/or Music Production after high school.

Branford Patch: Congratulations on your hard work through the years on the BHS stage. Do you have plans to continue performance after graduation?
Noah Perito: I absolutely LOVE musical performance of all types. And after high school, I plan on majoring in musical performance and HOPEFULLY becoming a professional musician.

Branford Patch: How are you dealing with the fact that Aida will be your last time on the BHS stage?
Noah Perito: It hasn't completely kicked in yet that this will be my final musical on the BHS stage, but I can at least say I have no regrets from all the high school musicals I have been in. I'm working hard and focusing on my work to keep my mind off the fact these are the last shows I'll be doing in high school!

Branford Patch: If you had to offer one small piece of advice to aspiring young actors hoping to head to the stage what would it be?
Noah Perito: I've said it before and I'll say it again. Go for it. There is nothing that a person with ambition can't accomplish, and in this town, there are so many ways to be a part of any and everything. Branford is the place to explore your interests and see what you're good at! There's so few reasons NOT to try! So get out there and seize the day!

Branford Patch: Can you pick one defining moment of your BHS stage career and tell readers a little about it?
Noah Perito: That's a tough one... Every moment I step up on that stage I put out my best work, and I find every time so rewarding. But last year during "Phantom," I remember this little kid came up to me after one of the performances and tugged at my costume asking if he could have a photo with me. I felt like I really inspired that kid that day, and now, I actually have a copy of that photo on my desk at home!

Branford Patch: You’re gearing up to play Radames, Captain of the Egyptian Army, next in line to take the Pharos’s throne; he’s conflicted between the Pharos’s daughter Amneris. How do you feel about portraying someone who would potentially sacrifice such a huge opportunity for love? Do you identify with Radames or not?
Noah Perito: I'm an amateur in every sense of that word, so bear that in mind with this answer! When I got the part of Radames, I immediately tried to put myself in his shoes, but I ran into a small roadblock. I don't live in ancient Egypt. But the conflict of love versus dreams? That's universal. We all will face decisions like that, and putting myself in a place like that, as a senior in high school, was a LOT easier. I identify with Radames in the ways that I have extreme passion for what I love and for what I want to do. I can definitely see myself in a position where I would have to make sacrifice such as his.

Branford Patch: How does it feel to have two women to pine after you at once? Ever found yourself on a real-life love triangle? If so, how did you handle it?
Noah Perito: It certainly makes scenes interesting! Ali and Katrice are absolutely amazing to work with, and they certainly make these scenes easy to act in. I personally try my best to keep my love life simple, so the "love-troubled" side of Radames is based off of TV and movies with love triangles!

Branford Patch: What has been the hardest obstacle to surmount while performing?
Noah Perito: The hardest obstacle for me was definitely convincing myself it doesn't matter what others think, but what I think of how I've done. Now I focus on how to convince myself I've done well!

Branford Patch: In a few words, why should people come out to this show?
Noah Perito: People should come to this show for two reasons. First is the music. It is absolutely AMAZING. From gorgeous ballads, to gospel, to reggae, this show has got it all! Second are the themes. Love is universal, and this tale of love is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I think the words, lyrics, and key themes of "Aida" can speak to all of us, which is why this show is so great!