AIDA
at Anaheim High

Reviewed on May 8, 2014

Nikki Tran
Fountain Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Fortune favors Anaheim's ‘Aida'

Nikki Tran is a Senior at Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley

Hidden inside the pyramids of Egypt, mystifying hieroglyphics sprawl across chamber walls and conceal ancient truths. But when stars cross and realign under the Egyptian sky, even the golden empire's best kept secrets prove no match for the mysterious workings of love.

Anaheim unearths this fatal romance between lovers from rival regions in its production of "Aida." With its tender performances and admirable technical efforts, Anaheim unwraps a treasure.

The woeful tale begins after Luis Gomez stomps in as army commander and promising successor to the Egyptian throne Radames. Crossing his arms and barking orders, his guarded demeanor is fittingly regimented. Yet, this militant air soon falters once he captures and enslaves Jaspe Ibarra.

Ibarra is a force to be reckoned with as the bold Nubian princess-turned-slave Aida. Although she drops her head in obedience, her penetrating glares and feisty personality betray her subservient countenance. This is true when she scolds Gomez for his ignorance during "The Past Is Another Land." With her roaring, powerful alto voice, Ibarra brings grit and a wild allure that no one can resist, not even Gomez. The couple's romantic sentiments become palpable in "Enchantment Passing Through" where their hovering hands, held breaths, and stolen glances signal their budding love.

Unfortunately, their affection is forbidden not only because they're on opposing sides, but also because Radames is engaged to the Pharaoh's daughter Amneris, played by Stephanie Rodriguez. A bubbly ball of frothiness, she springs about in a girlish manner. As she poises and twirls in "My Strongest Suit," she provides a playful spirit that remains constant throughout the show.

Nonetheless, it's the ensemble of the Nubian Slaves that breathes life and soul into the production. During numbers like "Dance of The Robe," the group erupts into the hopeful heartbeat of the oppressed with their rhythmic pounding and chanting.

The lighting design of Anahi Elizarraras and Alexia Rosa enhances this scene by casting a wash of red to reinforce the ensemble's building frustration over enslavement. Similarly, the make-up design of Alejandra Tofoya, Jacqueline Rivas, and Yahira Orozco develops the disparities between the two groups. Framing each performer's eyes with winged eyeliner, the team elongates the lines on the Egyptians to give a dramatic flair whereas the Nubians sport shorter and more natural streaks.

Heavy and emotional, Anaheim's "Aida" teaches that despite hardships, love always prevails. After all, it's written in the stars.

Christa Pehrson
University High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Anaheim's Aida is written in the stars

Christa Pehrson is a sophomore at University High School in Irvine.

Aida, an egyptian rendition of Romeo and Juliet, follows the life of the Nubian princess Aida who is captured by Radames who fights for Egypt, Nubia's enemy. Radames quickly falls under Aida's spell and lets her go as one of Amneris, his fiance, handmaiden's rather than a slave. This classic love triangle is eventually resolved when Radames calls off his wedding with Amneris. Clearly upset, Ameris uses her power and orders Aida and Radames to be burried alive. Radames and Aida cherish their last precious moments together inside their tomb. Anaheim's production accurately portrays the iconic love story with an egyptian twist through all elements of the show.

Jaspe Ibarra portrays Aida, she creates strong and powerful character through her vocal and physical traits. When Ibarra walks, she leads with her chest, has a defined heel- toe step, and hold her head high. Ibarra's raised eyebrows and frowned mouth create longing facial expressions, adding diversity to her character. During the musical number ‘Elaborate Lives' Ibarra's controlling character is shown through her bold raspy belt. Mereb (Cesar Roman), Aida's Nubian lover, establishes a foil to Aida's character. Roman's soft and timid nature creates a believable relationship with Ibarra.

Amneris (Stephanie Rodriguez) displays her sassy and girly character in the musical number ‘My Strongest Suit.' As she struts to the upper platform of the set, Rodriguez shakes her hip from side to side with each step. Once she reaches the top, she thrusts out her arms creating a fearless persona.

The Nubian slave ensemble's vocals during God's Love Nubia are solid and supported. The small ensemble creates a loud, clear sound that echoes their desperation to escape slavery.

The stage management (Anahi Elizarraras) for the production is nearly flawless. Each scene transition is short and quiet, keeping the show moving. The music and lights are also together in transitions. The lighting design crew (Omar Sandoval, Alexia Rosa, Anahi Elizarraras) creates an effective lighting design that reflects the mood of the ongoing scene. During the scenes between Aida and Radames, the LED lights have subtle pink tones, representing their love. Contrastingly, the scenes between the Nubian slaves and the guards have red lights to show the tension and conflict.

Anaheim's production of Aida reminds audience members that decisions can be difficult, but if you listen to your heart, the right choice becomes clear.

Megan McCarthy
University High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Love is written in the stars at Anaheim

Megan McCarthy is a Junior at University High School in Irvine.

A pair of star-crossed lovers, a suppressed people and a fight for freedom: such is the tale of Anaheim High School's performance of "Aida". Set in Ancient Egypt, the contemporary musical follows the story of the enslaved princess of Nubia and how she must choose between her duty to her people and a forbidden romance with an Egyptian solider, Radames (Luis Gomez).

Jaspe Ibarra, who portrays Aida, expresses her character's strength and fight through her strong supported belting. As she walks through the gathering of Nubian slaves during "Dance of the Robe" and "God's Love Nubia", she grabs her people's hands, comforting them with tight embraces, to give them hope and reassure them and herself that they can gain their rightful freedom back.

Stephanie Rodriguez, as Amneris, flourishes in "My Strongest Suit" with a glowing smile, content with the luxurious life she has. The Palace Women add to the number's energy with their sharp execution of choreography and excited facial expressions. Rodriguez later transitions to a very different tone during "I Know the Truth" where her pleading sadden eyes yet dignified posture expose her grief of knowing that her fiancé does not love her and her knowledge that she must remain strong as a figure of royalty.

Although she does not have the love she desires, love still remains a strong proponent throughout the course of the show. During "Elaborate Lives" Oliver Rodriguez and Miledid Delgado perform a lyrical duet as Aida and Radames sing of their love for one another. Their graceful lines, fluid transitions to each new step and well executed over the head lift effectively express their beauty of the forbidden love.

Technical elements contribute greatly to the overall mood of the scenes. Red LED lighting (Anahi Elizarraras, Alexia Rosa, Omar Sandoval) during "Another Pyramid" intensifies the power of that Zoser and the guards have over the fate of Egyptian royalty line and the high stakes they have encountered. This greatly contrasts with the blue lighting with a white spotlight on Aida and Radames in their love songs, which effectively creates a gentler and calmer mood.

Anaheim High School's production of "Aida" teaches that despite the differences people have, love will continue to prevail beyond any obstacle and strive for a time and place where only love can exist.