Thursday, April 5, 2012

Aida, Cumberland Theatre Teens' First Production

Sunday April 2, 2012 marked the conclusion of the Cumberland Theatre Teens’ first musical, Aida. The cast was made up of 24 teenagers, 13 – 19, from 6 different area schools.

Music and lyrics for this production were written by Tim Rice and Elton John after their collaboration on The Lion King had been such a success.  The Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway show was based off of Guiseppe Verdi’s opera, Aida.

The musical is set at a time when Egypt and Nubia have been at war for many years. The Egyptian army returns home after soldiers capture a group of Nubian women. Aida, the most outspoken and strong-willed of the group makes an impression on Radames, the captain of the army. Because of Aida, he saves the group from being sent to the mines and sends them to the palace groundskeepers instead. He sends Aida to Princess Amneris, who he has been engaged to for nine years.

It is revealed to the audience that Aida is actually a princess too; her father is the Nubian king. None of the Egyptians can know her true identity, for she would immediately be put to death or used as ransom.

The story-line continues as Radames and Aida fall in a forbidden love just as Radames and the princess are finally scheduled to say their vows.

This story of love, war, friendship, and hope is filled with both humor and sadness.

The music of the production is diversely influences modern and eclectic mix. Songs vary from pop to reggae, and from Motown to Gospel. There are strong African and Middle Eastern undertones throughout many of the tunes.

The Cumberland Theatre Teens are directed by Bob Thompson, well known in the area for theatre. He directed musicals and plays at Fort Hill High School for many years.

“I think it’s wonderful that Bob Thompson brought kids from the area together to form this group,” said Tiffany Mock, an Allegany County teacher, during the 15 intermission between Acts 1 & 2 of the musical.

“These kids really have a lot of talent,” she added.

According to a crew member’s mother, the Cumberland Theatre Teens plan to do one production each year.

The Cumberland Theatre is celebrating its 25th year of existence this year. The theatre started as a project of Frostburg State University to revitalize their summer theatre program.

Productions originally took place on the downtown mall until the theatre was given a home in a renovated church building on Johnson Street.

The theatre is a nonprofit organization owned by a board of trustees. William H. Macy, a famous actor who attended Allegany High School in Cumberland joined the board in 2003. Macy is an award-winning actor, and has been in numerous Broadways, television shows, and movies.

He is currently a main character in the Showtime series, Shameless.

Next, the Cumberland Theatre will feature Romeo and Juliet. The show will run from April 12- April 29, 2012. Showtimes will be Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets will be $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for students.

For reservations, call 301-759-4990.

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