AMS Makes Most Out Of 'Aida'

American Music Stage has mounted a spirited production of "Aida," the Disneyfied Elton John version of Verdi's tragic opera. Having been a long-running tourist attraction on Broadway, the show is a mishmash of recycled music, banal lyrics and a sensibility that veers uncontrollably between tearjerker and campy spoof. But the AMS production can be recommended as enjoyable, family-friendly entertainment, based on electrifying individual performances and strong ensemble work by director Hans Bachman.

Jade Wheeler is stunning as Aida, a Nubian princess enslaved by ancient Egyptians who falls in love with Radames (Tim Adams), a military leader. Their liaison has fateful consequences both for the lovers and for control of the Egyptian throne. Wheeler brings an understated elegance as she combines sensuous appeal with a graceful presence that allows Aida to remain regal and to plausibly control her fate. Her voice is a magnificent instrument, radiating power and emotion with the pop-rock score, turning insipid ballads into inspiring anthems.

Bachman, a longtime area director with a flair for staging flamboyant, overheated musicals, has seen that the cast rises above mediocre material created by Sir Elton, lyricist Tim Rice and writer Linda Woolverton. The Broadway show was a hit primarily because of the Disney organization's ability with an extravaganza of cinematic special effects. Although Bachman and his team make great use of lighting effects and colorful costumes, their scenic design is stark. It is pleasing, however, because it evokes a feeling of grand scope and epic tragedy through Bachman's compelling storytelling.

Aaron Reeder is masterful as high minister Zoser, father of Radames. Zoser plots against Pharaoh (Jamin Olney), slowly poisoning him to make way for his unsuspecting son to ascend the throne, through marriage to Pha raoh's daughter, Amneris (Lori Staley). Tall and thin, Reeder fills the theater with an almost spectral sense of cold evil and reptilian cunning. His voice soars in the too-few songs he sings, as he manages the task of creating beauty without warmth. Staley is delightful as Amneris, who starts as a one-joke airhead before unexpectedly showing wisdom and depth. Staley negotiates Rice's silly lyrics ("I would rather wear a barrel than conservative apparel") and Woolverton's silly dialogue ("A slave who knows her fabrics? I'm keeping her," she exclaims upon meeting Aida). At one point she leads a stage full of women in John's salute to Motown girl groups, "My Strongest Suit," for a happy highlight.

As Radames, Adams's Clay Aiken-like persona puts a damper on passion, so there's little chemistry between warrior and princess. He sings ballads and love duets beautifully, particularly when he and Wheeler perform "Elaborate Lives" and "Enchantment Passing Through," but his vocal style is ill suited to the rock-infused numbers, particularly the grating duet "Like Father, Like Son," which he struggles through with Reeder.

Mary Jo Webster leads an energetic orchestra that pumps out the pop-rock score, with its gospel and reggae numbers and occasional hints of Egyptian and African motifs. AMS finally may have mastered the acoustics of the Ernst Theatre, with a sound system that allows the singers to be heard over the orchestra, even if the voices no longer come from the direction of the vocalists. Stefan Sittig's active choreography is just as stylized and atmospheric as the scenic design, skillfully mixing angular, modern motion with traces of African dance.

Many of the songs sound stale, as John sticks to his conventional sound. The show thus lacks the intense emotions of opera; the tragic storyline has been reduced to comic-book intensity. Teens may enjoy it, but pre-teens risk boredom.

"Aida" continues through May 28 at the Ernst Theatre, on the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Tpke. Showtime is 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with matinees at 2 p.m. Sundays. For tickets and information, call 703-425-7529 or visithttp://www.americanmusicstage.com.