Conejo Youth Theater presents Aida

LEAD ROLES- Chris Calhoun portrays Radames, left, and Jenna Gillespie plays the role of Aida in the Conejo Players production of "Aida" now playing in Thousand Oaks. Elton John and Tim Rice's Tony-winning production of "Aida" is the first of the classic Broadway shows to be staged by the high school and college age youngsters who make up the Conejo Players' new Conejo Youth Theater company. Here the company performs a stunning rendering of the musical adaptation of Verdi's famed opera about love and redemption.

Several story line elements in the musical "Aida" parallel those of other Broadway shows, including star-crossed lovers ("West Side Story"), a proud female leader of a devoted nation ("Evita") and an ancient Egyptian theme whose score is skewed by a variety of anachronistic musical styles ("Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"). The production even has its own dreamcoat, the multicolored robe worn by the Nubian princess Aida.

The second musical written by the team of John and Rice, "Aida" followed the massive success of their initial effort, "The Lion King." The show won four Tony awards in 2000, including Best Original Score.

The songs, all presented in a pop-rock framework, range from reggae ("Another Pyramid") to Motown ("My Strongest Suit") and gospel ("The Gods Love Nubia").

The unequivocal star of the show is Jenna Gillespie, who plays the title role, the proud Nubian princess who passes herself off as a slave when captured by Ramades, the captain of the Egyptian army. Gillespie, a sophomore at Moorpark College, plays Aida with style, power and grace. The best part of her performance is her magnificent voice, which is displayed most effectively in solos such as "Easy As Life" and "The Past Is Another Land." Gillespie radiates quiet pride and defiance, a Spartacus-like leader of her people, the enslaved Sudanese tribe of Nubia.

As Aida's romantic counterpart, Chris Calhoun is the Egyptian warrior with a conscience who falls in love with Aida despite his betrothal to the fashionconscious Princess Amneris. Calhoun is effectively regal and passionate as a man caught in a love triangle.

Jillian Lawson, who plays Amneris, provides the only comic relief in the universally tragic plot as she displays her passion for clothes in the song "My Strongest Suit." Singing to a Motown beat, Lawson is Diana Ross to her bodacious handmaidens' Supremes as they parade down an ancient catwalk, sporting outrageously tacky outfits and hats that would make Anatole of Paris envious. Her wonderful portrayal of Amneris invigorates every scene she's in.

Also noteworthy is the performance of Tyler Burk as Radames' loyal Nubian servant Mereb, who struggles to protect both his master and the real identity of Aida. Mereb's clear tenor is displayed best in his duet with Gillespie, "How I Know You."

Other key roles are played by Mark Suarez as the menacing, black-clad Zoser; Jeremy Hanna as the Nubian king Amonasro; and Adam Rayzor as the dying Pharoah, slowly being poisoned by Zoser so as to hasten his son Radames' ascendancy to the throne.

"Aida" is capably produced by Karen Graham-Hanna and Karen Staitman, with Shawn Lanz's equally professional direction. Conejo Players' always noteworthy choreography was designed by Arryck Adams and Tami Keaton, and the marvelous handmade sets were supervised by Shawn McCabe, Dan Martin and Jimmy Green. Special kudos to Ken Patton and McLane Martin for the fabulous costumes.

Since Conejo Players is an allvolunteer organization, everyone pitches in on everything from sewing costumes to painting sets. "Aida" is highly recommended for all audiences.

"Aida" continues through July 18. For more information, call (805) 495-3715 or visit www.conejoplayers.org.