This weekend, Studio Tenn and TPAC will present the Elton John and Tim Rice musical AIDA at the James K. Polk Theater for a two-night run. It brings together local actors and Broadway stars to perform the Tony and Grammy Award winning pop opera.
The pace of this production has been lightning fast, with only two and a half weeks of rehearsals. That plus juggling covid restrictions has been challenging, even for veteran Broadway choreographer and co-director Gerry McIntyre.
“This is really fast and furious. You know, you just have to hit it and quit it. I really like the urgency of it,” says McIntyre.
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. Nashville native Maya Antoinette Riley plays the role of Aida alongside Ryan Link, as Radames. Link has performed on Broadway and national tours, as has Jackie Burns, who is cast as Amneris. Burns is noted as the longest running Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway.
The three characters are caught up in a love triangle that is a familiar theme in theatrical dramas. 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 show is truly at its core about love, how love transcends race,” says Cassidy. “It transcends a country. It transcends family. It transcends hate. And that’s what Romeo and Juliet was. That’s what West Side Story is. And that’s what AIDA is.”
Tenuous love triangle aside, the musical’s theme is one of transformation and inspiration — highlighted by Elton John’s pop-rock score. 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). They are supported by an ensemble of mostly local dancers and singers. The production also includes a 14-piece orchestra and a gospel choir.
Bringing the Elton John musical to the stage in Music City is exciting even for the Broadway stars.
“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. “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?”
Riley is excited to see what the combination of big theatre names and local performers will mean for the city.
“I know Nashville will rise to the challenge because we have a lot of local talent in this show as well,” Riley says. “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. It’ll be great for the community.”
Cassidy agrees.
“I think Nashville is one of the most promising theater towns around, and the reason is because it’s the epicenter of music. What’s better than to fuse drama and music together? And that’s what musical theater is. I would think Nashville would embrace that and let it soar.”
The show runs for two nights only: Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. And in case you need another reason to check it out, Cassidy drops this teaser:
“By the way, Elton John is appearing at Nissan Stadium Oct. 2. That’s the day after we close. Hmmmm, I wonder what that means?”
For more information on AIDA: In Concert at TPAC, visit Studio Tenn’s web site.
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