“It’s been a blast working under Michelle and Dean. They’re top notch people who really know their stuff but are also very open to new ideas from the cast. We’ve been in great hands these past couple of months and I’m real excited to get things started up next week.” - Unger
Virden Collegiate presents the timeless love story, Aida, playing at the Aud Theatre, May 11, 12 and 13,with music by Elton John, and lyrics by Tim Rice, from the novel written by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang.
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The cast is as follows,
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The production staff,
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Unger said, “I am real excited to be playing Radames. It’s my first lead role in a musical, so I’m [going to] take this chance and make the best of it. It’s been a lot of work, but even more fun with a real great group of people.”
Aida premiered in 2000 and ran for 1,852 performances becoming the 36th longest-running Broadway musical. According to Aida Music Theatre International, the musical is a timeless love story about an enslaved Nubian princess, Aida, who finds herself in love with Radames, an Egyptian soldier; he is betrothed to the Pharaoh’s daughter, Amneris. As, their forbidden love blossoms, Aida is forced to weigh her heart against the responsibility she faces as leader of her people.
When Unger was asked if this was the part he originally wanted he explained, “Yes, I did want this part, auditions were back in December and I think I already had three of his songs memorized. Michelle had put a bug in my ear in late summer to look at his songs so I definitely put a bit more work on his songs than others. The music has been really fun and at times not the easiest to learn, but Elton John and Tim Rice put together some great music.”
The 18-year-old Virden Collegiate student originally from Germany, Johanna Sachs, is the other lead role, playing Aida. This is not the first lead role for Sachs; she also played Mitchie in Disney’s Camp Rock, and one of the main roles in Grease, as Rizzo.
Working with Producer, Michelle Chyzyk is nothing new for Sachs. “This is not my first time being in a production with Michelle Chyzyk. I have been in Camp Rock, Grease, and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with her as well. This will be my fourth and final production with her as a high school student.”
The production started practicing for Aida in January, just after Christmas break. They usually practice once or twice a week. “Overall, I have really enjoyed working with Michelle and Dean again. This musical is a great practice for future musicals because of its challenging and professional music. I’m excited for people to come out and see what great work VCI has put together again,” said, Sachs.
