And in case you need another reason to check it out, Cassidy drops this teaser: I would think Nashville would embrace that and let it soar.” What’s better than to fuse drama and music together? And that’s what musical theater is. “I think Nashville is one of the most promising theater towns around, and the reason is because it’s the epicenter of music. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to collaborate with people of all different levels, experiences and really make this show come together. “I know Nashville will rise to the challenge because we have a lot of local talent in this show as well,” Riley says. Riley is excited to see what the combination of big theatre names and local performers will mean for the city.
“I just want to be a sponge and soak up the music scene around me and hopefully become a better singer because of it, you know?” “I think the city is amazing and I’m in awe of the artistry and the musicianship that almost every single human that lives here has,” says Burns. The production also includes a 14-piece orchestra and a gospel choir.īringing the Elton John musical to the stage in Music City is exciting even for the Broadway stars. They are supported by an ensemble of mostly local dancers and singers. Other featured actors include recording artist and veteran stage actor Rex Smith (Zoser), Mark Cabus (Pharoah), Bakari King (Amonasro), Carli Hardon (Nehebka) and Christian Boyd (Mereb). Tenuous love triangle aside, the musical’s theme is one of transformation and inspiration - highlighted by Elton John’s pop-rock score. “The show is truly at its core about love, how love transcends race,” says Cassidy. Aida, a Nubian slave, and Radames, an Egyptian soldier, fall in love - despite his engagement to the pharoah’s daughter, Amneris, and the cultural clash that forbids their relationship. The three characters are caught up in a love triangle that is a familiar theme in theatrical dramas. Burns is noted as the longest running Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway. Link has performed on Broadway and national tours, as has Jackie Burns, who is cast as Amneris. Nashville native Maya Antoinette Riley plays the role of Aida alongside Ryan Link, as Radames. He and Patrick Cassidy, co-director as well as Studio Tenn’s artistic director, assembled the cast after a mixture of in-person and virtual auditions last summer.
I really like the urgency of it,” says McIntyre. You know, you just have to hit it and quit it.
AIDA BROADWAY PLUS
That plus juggling covid restrictions has been challenging, even for veteran Broadway choreographer and co-director Gerry McIntyre. The pace of this production has been lightning fast, with only two and a half weeks of rehearsals. It brings together local actors and Broadway stars to perform the Tony and Grammy Award winning pop opera. This weekend, Studio Tenn and TPAC will present the Elton John and Tim Rice musical AIDA at the James K.
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