Mike Skerianz JACKSON — With music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, Jackson Memorial High School’s performance of “Aida” is ready to take the stage for four performances.
“Aida” will be performed at Jackson Memorial High School, Don Connor Boulevard, at 7 p.m. March 12, at 7:30 p.m. March 13-14, and at 2 p.m. March 15.
Tickets for “Aida” will be $10 at the door. Individuals may email their ticket request to [email protected].
Include name, telephone number, number of seats requested, date of performance and preferred seating location. Tickets can be left at the “will call” for pick-up on the afternoon or evening of the performance.
“Aida” is based on the Verdi opera and was made into a Broadway production.
The play tells the tragic legend of the Nubian princess Aida, who is taken as a slave by Radames and given as a handmaiden to Radames’ betrothed, Amneris. Aida and Radames fall in love and Aida is torn between love and duty when the slaves look to her to lead them to freedom.
Anu Mysoree Director Jacqueline Somodi said, “This is a powerful story and the students have put together a powerful production to showcase it. They have worked very hard and are ready to put on a great show.”
Anu Mysoree, 17, will play Aida, and Mike Skerianz, 17, will play Radames.
“This role is not like any other part that I’ve played, read or seen,” Mysoree said. “It’s a really, really strong character. I think a lot of musical characters are seen as weaker and Aida is one of the strongest females I have ever read about.”
Mysoree has performed in her sophomore and junior years at Jackson Memorial and she performed in community theater at the Strand Theater, Lakewood, in “Footloose.”
“Everything about (“Aida”) is incredible, from the music to the choreography and the beautiful sets that please the crowd and everybody else,” Mysoree said. “It’s going to be quite a show.”
Speaking about his role, Skerianz said, “In the beginning of the show Radames is very stern and hard-headed. He doesn’t know what he really wants in life. But in the end he realizes his life is being thrown at him and he wants to change it. I like that he is taking his own powers.”
PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN Members of the stage crew prepare the scenery for the Jackson Memorial High School production of “Aida.” The Jackson Memorial High School cast of “Aida” also includes Cori Bott as Amneris, Brianna Pendergrass as Nehebka, Eric Hamilton as Mereb, Stephen Puccio as Zoser, Timothy Costa as Pharaoh and Jursy Wallace as Amonarso.
More than 100 students, between cast and crew, are involved in the production.
“We hope the community will come out and see the talent that exists here in Jackson,”‘ Somodi said. “It is an amazing show.”‘