Village Theatre’s Blog

Pre-production photos were taken yesterday on the Mainstage. We are so excited that AIDA is almost here. Let’s start the countdown today: 13 more days until opening night!

Marliss Amiea (Aida) and Michael Murnoch (Radames)

We’ve been getting lots of inquiries, so we’re excited to finally announce our stellar AIDA cast. Without further ado, we’re proud to introduce the cast of AIDA! (drum roll, please….)

Marliss Amiea (Aida)

Michael Murnoch (Radames)                     Ryah Nixon (Amneris)

Fresh from Los Angeles and making her debut performance with Village Theatre is Marliss Amiea in the title role of the courageous Aida. Some of Amiea’s past credits include Disney’s The Lion King, Little Shop of Horrors, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Playhouse Disney Live Onstage, and Dreamgirls. Formerly a back-up singer for Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Kenny Loggins, and Dave Brubeck, Amiea was also the co-host of Disney’s pilot presentation of Playhouse Disney Lunchtime.

Introducing Minneapolis native (currently a resident of New York) Michael Murnoch in his Village Theatre debut as the handsome and brave soldier Radames. Murnoch has previously appeared Off-Broadway as Julio in Magpie. Other past tour credits include Berger in Hair, Kenickie in Grease, and Max in Cabaret. Some of his regional credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, The Pirates of Penzance, and Grease.

Returning to Village Theatre, yet making her Mainstage debut, is KIDSTAGE alum and current Carnegie Mellon senior musical theatre student, Ryah Nixon as the beautiful Egyptian princess Amneris. Past Village Theatre credits include 26 in Piece, Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors, and Louise/Eve in Ruthless!. Some other credits include the role Rusty in Footloose and Lizzie in 110 in the Shade.

Bob De Dea (Zoser)

Last seen on the Village Theatre Mainstage in Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, and Jesus Christ Superstar is Bob De Dea in the role of Radames’ father, Zoser.

Terence Kelley (Amonasro)

Terence Kelley returns to Village Theatre in the role of Amonasro, Aida’s father.

Trent Saunders (Mereb)

Trent Saunders returns to Village Theatre as Mereb, the loyal Nubian, after his debut performance in The King and I earlier this season.

Tanesha Ross (Nehebka)

Tanesha Ross, once an American Idol contestant, returns to the Mainstage as Nehebka, the devout Nubian.

Jim Orr (Pharaoh)

Jim Orr is back to play the Pharaoh, after his hysterical delivery man performance in Barefoot in the Park.

After weeks of careful planning and preparation, AIDA set design is underway. Take a look at one of set designer Carey Wong’s initial models in comparison to what our carpenters and scenic designers are beginning to masterfully install on the Mainstage. It’s going to be incredible!

AIDA set designer Carey Wong’s model setting of Amneris’ closet

AIDA floor design installed at Francis J. Gaudette Theatre (design by Carey Wong)

Sorry for the teaser. We know people are dying to know who has been cast in AIDA. We’re not quite ready to announce it yet, but we wanted to let you know it’s coming soon.

Get excited!

Last week the infamous ‘Meet and Greet’ with the AIDA cast was held; an event that officially marks the first day of rehearsals. Cast members, production and creatives teams, and general Village Theatre staff make their appearances and announcements in order to ring in the new show! On your mark, get set, GO!!!

AIDA cast mingling together at the ‘Meet and Greet’

                     RJ Tancioco (Associate Music Director), Tim Symons (Music Director), Brian Yorkey (Director), Steve Tomkins (Director), and Jay Markam (Production Manager)

The creation of AIDA has been an exciting and new process for Village Theatre. One of the challenges the artistic team has faced is finding a visual connection between the two worlds the show represents: modern day and ancient Egypt.

The design aspect of developing AIDA is a process with many steps, all of which began months before opening night. Director Steve Tomkins teamed up with scenic designer Carey Wong to imagine the world of AIDA. From initial sketches of how this world could be conceived, Carey was able to create a small, very basic mock-up of the stage and set (called a white model). This model evolves over time into the creation of a basic model and finally into a detailed model that is used to convey set design ideas to the Village Theatre production department. The production team is then able to work out the various details such as cost and how this tiny set model can actually be transformed into what audiences will see live on stage. Check out some photos from the beginning stages of AIDA set design below!