If you have had the good fortune to see one or all of Explayarte's previous productions you know what kind of powerhouse talent to expect from the performers and the amazing team of directors, musicians, choreographers and designers. AIDA will be the 7th full-scale musical presentation by Explayarte whose previous successes include Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Cats, Seussical, All Shook Up and Les Miserables. If you have enjoyed any or all of these productions, you won't want to miss AIDA!

In the spring of 2014, the Riviera Maya's premier music and performing arts school, Explayarte Escuela de Musica, will present Tim Rice and Elton John's AIDA. There will be three presentations in the Foro Abierto at Xcaret in Playa del Carmen, March 19, 20 and 23 and, or the first time, two additional shows have been added to the run to be performed at the Teatro de Cancun on April 4 & 5. 

This exciting production, directed by Fernando Gonzalez, will feature the talents of 30 young dancers, singers and musicians. Most are middle and high school students from local schools. The stylistically eclectic score will be conducted by Musical Director Aldo Sotomayor and performed live by Explayarte's orchestra.

AIDA Explayarte 2014 

AIDA is an adaptation of the classic 1871 opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The new rock-opera took Broadway by storm in 2000, going on to win five Tony Awards, including Best Original Music Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actress. AIDA is a rock-opera in every sense of the term. Elton John spans musical genres, going from pop, reggae, gospel and African sounds to contemporary love ballads. The music is quintessential Elton John and blends seamlessly with Tim Rice's sophisticated and soulful lyrics. The book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang is contemporary and accessible to a modern musical theatre going audience while remaining fairly true to the original legend.

AIDA tells the story of three star-crossed lovers; two African princesses and an Egyptian military captain, in what may best be described as a "love pyramid." Aida, the princess of Nubia (Celia Domínguez), is captured by a group of Egyptians led by Captain Radames (Nestor Sánchez) and is enslaved. Aida is then given as a gift by Radames to his fiancee, the Egyptian princess, Amneris (Ana Rubio). A plot by Radames' father to kill the Pharaoh and elevate his son into power through a marriage to the princess begins to unravel when Aida and Radames become lovers. Together, they set a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Torn between their desires for personal affection and doing what's right for their peoples, Aida and Radames go through a journey of duty, honor and ever-lasting love. The young lovers are finally forced to make the ultimate decision: face death or part forever.

The book and lyrics have been translated into Spanish for this production but English speakers unfamiliar with the plot can familiarize themselves with the synopsis, which will be printed in the playbill.

Discounted pre-sale tickets (180 mn) are available now at Explayarte and from members of the Playa del Carmen Seaside Rotary Club. Full price tickets (200 mn) will also be available on the dates of the performances from the box offices at Xcaret. Several ticketing options will be available at the Teatro de Cancun. Choose from Preferente 180mn, General 160mn or Mezzanine 140mn for seats purchased in advance. Ticket prices will be 200mn, 180mn and 160mn the day of the show. Please click here for the Teatro de Cancun seating chart.

A portion of all proceeds from all AIDA performances will go to support Seaside Rotary programs and charitable initiatives in the community. Group discounts are available. For more information call 984 668 0461.

 

Michele Kinnon
Michele Kinnon and her husband Rob are the owners of BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors and FurnitureMEX, both based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Michele is a member of Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside, the organizer of Kick 4 Kids and participated on the founding committee for Taste of Playa, the Riviera Maya's largest and longest running culinary festival. She also supports numerous local non-profit organizations, blogs, writes local interest articles and administrates the Riviera Maya Events Calendar. Michele and Rob have lived in Playa del Carmen with their two children since 2004. Follow her updates on Google+.