By Dan Marois,Special to the Sun Journal

BRUNSWICK – The Maine State Music Theatre’s production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” is every bit as dazzling and enchanting as any contemporary Broadway musical.

This show offers a wide range of musical styles, exceptionally strong vocals, elegant but simple sets and a classic love story that’s as engaging as it is entertaining.

John and Rice are far better-known for their smash hit, “The Lion King,” but “Aida” is far more intricate in its musical variety and storytelling. The MSMT production is gifted with an amazing orchestra that rattles sound off the walls in high-energy numbers: “Fortune Favors the Brave” and “Like Father, Like Son” and waxes melodic in “Every Story is a Love Story” and “How I Know You.”

This production has strong lead actors and an extraordinary ensemble cast. Whether involved in a jam-packed dance number or in the back row of a chorus routine, this troupe always gives a center-stage effort. In fact, this year’s MSMT ensemble seems to be the most consistently talented in recent years.

Loosely based on the grand opera “Aida,” the story tells of the Nubian princess (Tonya Dixon) captured by Radames (Gregg Goodbrod), leader of the ancient Egyptian forces. Her unusually independent spirit is intriguing and catches Radames’ attention.

Radames decides to give Aida as a gift to Amneris (Amy Bodnar), the Egyptian pharaoh’s daughter and Radames’ longtime betrothed in an engagement that’s lingered for nine years. There’s nothing very regal about Amneris who is a fashion-conscious blonde more interested in ruling her wardrobe than ruling the Nile.

While Radames deals with a strained relationship with his father, Zoser (Stuart Marland), and the loyal, supportive attention of his Nubian servant, Mereb (Arthur W. Marks), it doesn’t take long for Aida to captivate his heart in a love affair that’s doomed but manages to reign eternal. Director and choreographer Donna Drake is the mastermind of this MSMT masterpiece. Every detail gels wonderfully from Charles S. Kading’s scenic design to Irene Kay Peterson’s costume design and on to Jeffrey S. Koger’s lighting scheme. Brian Cimmet heads up a solid and powerful orchestra.

While every dance number is stunning, ensemble member and assistant choreographer Ben Franklin performs a Cirque du Soleil-type routine that is like nothing ever seen on the MSMT stage. It is breathtaking.

The lead actor trio – Dixon, Goodbrod and Bodnar – make this production soar. As the doomed lovers, Dixon and Goodbrod could not be more convincing in their chemistry or stronger in their vocals. To call them a powerhouse of talent would be an understatement.

Bodnar, a six-production veteran of MSMT, has pure fun as the airhead Amneris. She’s pretty and appropriately giddy as the fashionista of ancient Egypt. Fresh from his role as Lumiere in the MSMT production of “Beauty and the Beast,” Marland plays an impressive father figure in his standoffs with Radames.

The hidden gem of the show is Marks as the kind-spirited Mereb. You’ll be amazed at the vocals that can sound out from this wiry young fellow.

Leave any notions of the original opera at home when setting out to see this “Aida.” Elton John’s tunes, Tim Rice’s lyrics and a perfect MSMT cast could make “Aida” the high point of the summer musical season and a show worth seeing more than once.

Dan Marois is a producer, director and actor for Main Street Entertainment and Mystery for Hire. He can be reached at dmarois@fairpoint.net.

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