Aida
at SOCSA Dana Hills

Reviewed on April 23, 2015

Joyce Lee
Northwood High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

‘Aida' shows off SOCSA Dana Hills's strongest suit

On a stage swathed in warmth and elegance, SOCSA Dana Hills's "Aida," a pop rock adaptation of an opera, entrances with a story rich in tragedy, love, and second chances.

Centered on the star-crossed romance between Aida, a Nubian princess in disguise, and Radames, an Egyptian general, the tale questions the boundaries of love as the couple grapple with their duties as the successors of rival nations.

Kyla Stone is phenomenal as Aida, her uplifted head and elongated vowels adding a sense of regality to her bearing. Her vocal ability is equally stunning as she varies from rich, powerful belting to a softer dynamic, inspiring hope at the Nubian camp in "The Gods Love Nubia."

Stone's defiant strength counters Ashley Patrick as Amneris, Egypt's fashion-savvy princess, whose impeccable comedic timing and sassy flair lighten the mood of the show. Stone and Patrick harmonize beautifully, especially in "My Strongest Suit" (Reprise), deepening the connection between the two misunderstood princesses.

Radames (Andrew Fajardo) possesses confidence in his long strides and firm voice. Despite exhibiting mannerisms of superiority, Fajardo transitions from arrogant to loving through the course of the story and further ignites the connection between Radames and Aida.

Jeremy Ingraham as Mereb cuts a distinct persona with his slouched posture. However, at the peak of conflict, when Aida chooses love over her people, Mereb asserts a commanding, yet grief-stricked presence, the wavering quality in his voice signifying betrayal.

Ensembles of Nubian natives, palace guards, and servants do not distract from the leads' actions, their presence comfortably filling up the stage.

Designed by Liz Nee, the stage lighting textures the scenes to add a better perception of the time or each character's moods; Zoser's (Jason Rothman) "Another Pyramid" is saturated heavily in shadows and reds, reflecting a demonic, villainous atmosphere. The costumes, designed by Robyn Takeshita, Emily Forster, and Stephanie Argent, communicate the character of each person, as seen with Amneris, whose outfits are bright, like her vitality.

Olivia Gherardini's choreography uses sharp arm movements to add another dimension of life to every character. Although the dances could have had better synchronization, overall the choreography keeps up the energy of the musical.

A story of sacrifice and self-discovery knit together with love, SOCSA Dana Hills's "Aida" truly amazes with an array of strong vocals, intricate design, and a resolve that love can transcend lifetimes.

Paul Smith
La Habra High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

SOCSA Dana Hills struts their "Strongest Suit"

Two people in love, two rivaling backgrounds. Will their love succeed, or fail? In the Elton John musical, SOCSA Dana Hills' enchanting production of "Aida" is packed full of romance, pyramids and talent.

Adapted from the Italian opera of the same name, "Aida" tells the story of young Nubian princess named Aida who is captured by an Egyptian captain, Radames, whom plans to gift her as a handmaiden for the Egyptian princess, Amneris, his betrothed. The other Nubian slaves soon discover who she really is and look to her for inspiration. As the story unfolds, the Captain starts falling for the Nubian slave, not knowing of her true identity.

The powerful Kyla Stone plays Aida, the young and tough protagonist. Using her suffering grin, hand digging into her heart and stunning voice, Stone makes the role of Aida passionate and strong. Stone enchants the audience with her rousing rendition of "Easy As Life" using her conflicting actions and commanding voice to make the audience feel her pain.

The delightful Ashley Patrick portrays the comedic, yet miserable Amneris. Being The Princess of Egypt, Patrick manages to hold her to that title and remains proper, but still cuts loose in her breakthrough song "My Strongest Suit". Patrick truly shows how distraught she is when witnessing her soon to be husband, with another woman and sings the emotional and breathtaking song "I Know The Truth".

Playing the inspiring Nehebka is the small, but mighty Stephanie Argent. Argent remains towards the back in the beginning, but steps forward and takes action when she truly finds out of the troubles in her native country, belting the final notes of "The Gods Love Nubia".

Liz Nee designs the stunning lighting, displaying lighter tones during the happier moments, but slowly revealing dark and villainous red when the antagonist of the story develops his evil plans.

At times, actors were inaudible due to not pausing for laughter or not projecting, but they make up for it with their high energy and talent.

With a strong and a talented cast, SOCSA Dana Hills succeeds in telling the beautiful and powerful story of "Aida".

Caitlyn Sampley
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Aida is Dana Hills High School's Strongest Suit

In Dana Hills' recent take on Sir Elton John's and Tim Rice's Aida, a bright array of student designed lights, sets, and costumes transforms a simple theater into a great Egyptian empire about to enter a new age.

The story revolves around the enslaved Nubian princess Aida (Kyla Stone) and her efforts to free herself and her people, although she gets caught up in a forbidden love with an Egyptian royal guard, Radames (Andrew Fajardo), along the way. The pair have great stage chemistry as lovers; this is seen best in a scene where Aida absentmindedly mentions to Radames from afar that she loves him, only to have him playfully rush to her and "demand" that she declare her love again. In addition, Stone's and Fajardo's voices together produce a very full sound that could give you chills. Stone, individually, possibly has the most powerful voice in a cast full of powerhouse singers.

Another great addition to the talented cast is the bubbly, fashionable Princess Amneris (Ashley Patrick). Patrick's voice has a strong, almost rock-n-roll sound to it, and her endless array of jewel-toned outfits make her character stand out and very literally shine under the stage lights even more than she already does.

The show's ensemble helps to widen the world around the leads with their numerous costume changes and group numbers. The variations in character outfits (costumed by Robyn Takeshita, Emily Forester, and Stephanie Argent) between Egyptians and Nubians makes it much easier to identify both peoples and separate the brightly-colored and barbaric Egyptians from the imprisoned Nubians in earth-tones.

Even in her plain earthy colors, the Nubian Nehebka (Stephanie Argent) is a definite standout. Nehebka is a very minor character written only to give Aida something else to motivate her escape; however, Argent not only nails the loyal attitude any peasant would grant to their benevolent ruler, but also nails a high note in the Act I finale, "The Gods Love Nubia."

The show's use of lighting (designed by Liz Nee) is also important, as the red, orange, and yellow lights used create the illusion of Egypt's desert sands and small spotlights make it seem as though a cave is closing in around you.

It's productions like these that remind us why stories like Aida are so timeless and so entertaining.