Review: 'Aida' by GetUp Stage Company

Pictured above: Shannon Sullivan as Aida in GUSCO's AIDA Photo by Kenneth Sullivan

Dedicated to the memory of my father, whose influence was written in the stars

New Britain, CT - GetUp Stage Company is presenting Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA the timeless love story this weekend at Trinity on Main in New Britain. The musical with a book by Linda Woolverton and Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang, was originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatricals and is based on the opera of the same name by Giuseppe Verdi. It originated from a children's storybook version of Verdi's opera written by the soprano Leontyne Price. The Walt Disney Company acquired the right to the book for a proposed animated feature film, but instead it was turned into a musical originally entitled Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida.

AIDA is a show I have always wanted to see, but I really knew nothing about it before I was invited to attend a performance by the talented young performers of GUSCO. In the story, conflict between Egypt and Nubia gives birth to a star-crossed love affair between Aida, the captured princess of Nubia, and Radames, the Egyptian captain who enslaved her people. With love and responsibility at odds, Aida and Radames must decide to follow their hearts or lead their people.

I missed the premise of the opening scene being set in the present time and a statue of Amneris coming to life to tell the story of the star-crossed lovers. By the time we got to the final scene, it all made sense. Some parts of the action became a little slow for me, but the wonderfully diverse score maintained my interest, as did the spectacular performances of the young people telling the story.

Director Lindsey DiPietro has long wanted to produced this show and she was grateful to be able to do so with this particular cast. Her loving direction was apparent throughout the two acts and her pride in each and every cast member was infectious. Belle Pons served as both choreographer and production assistant; the dance numbers were very nicely designed. Joe Marturano was in charge of sound design and worked with the director on the fine lighting design. Ms. DiPietro designed the lovely Egyptian/Nubian costumes that were era-appropriate without being over the top. The set designed by the director and Lea McCabe featured long white pieces of suspended fabric that were moved to suggest various locations with the help of the lighting.

I enjoyed the princess Amneris’ fashion show in “My Strongest Suit,” and the rousing first act closer “The Gods Love Nubia” in the Nubian Slave Camp. The trio of “A Step Too Far” that opened the second act was simply beautiful.

Shannon Sullivan performed the title role of Aida with an admirable maturity and a wonderful singing voice. At 21, this Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts graduate is a musical director for school and summer programs which bring theatre to young children. She lit up the stage whenever she appeared.

Victoria Santiago, who will be a senior at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, brought a lot of poise to the role of Amneris and showed off her great singing ability in the role. Greater Hartford Academy student Kayla Rush made her GUSCO debut as the Nubian slave Nehebka and nailed her vocal solos.

Kyle Reidinger (King Charles in PIPPIN at CCSU) made his GUSCO debut in the role of Radames’ father Zoser. The college graduate was just old enough and tall enough to play the commanding role and was most effective in the war room of the palace when he sang the duet “Like Father, Like Son.” Alexander Niatopsky was simply amazing as the military captain Radames. The Equity Membership Candidate who appeared in JCS at 7A will be a sophomore at WCSU in the fall.

Kevin Michaud, who will be a sophomore at WCSU, played the reigning Pharaoh in his fifth GUSCO show. Miles Messier (INTO THE WOODS last year) gave a very strong performance in the role of the devoted slave Mereb and provided some comic relief. Mr. Messier studies at The Hartt School and is a pit musician as well. Jordan Cyr, a sophomore at Southington HS and Greater Hartford, did well as Aida’s father Amonasro.

Ensemble members included Sarah Tynan, who is headed to Southern Utah University, Ryan Vaitkus, who is heading to UConn, Kristi Yurko, in her GUSCO debut, Alonzo Santiago, who is headed to Capital Community College for ECE, and Hannah Shapland, a rising senior at Bristol Central HS. Also in the ensemble were New Britain senior Claire Palin, Bristol Central senior Marissa Pecorelli, Sam Plourde in her GUSCO debut, Morgan Greger, a Bristol Central junior, Miranda Matos, a St. Paul Catholic HS student, Matthew Babicz, who is headed to WCSU, Sarah Ford, a Greater Hartford/Plainville HS sophomore, and Leah Gaffney, a rising senior at New Britain HS.

The AIDA band was under the direction of music director Marissa Levy, who played a wonderful keyboard. Nick Stanford was on keyboard as well, Richard Buyak, Jr. played guitar, Dominic Borrelli was on drums and Mariah Santana played lots of chimes on percussion. The musicians were seated at audience level house right and did not overpower.

AIDA closes on Sunday at 3pm.

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417