ArtsCentric Presents Elton John And Tim Rice's AIDA

This August, ArtsCentric, the dynamic theater company that brought Baltimore the nation's first African-American cast production of Chicago, the Musical, does it again with Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida!

ArtsCentric will launch the Tony Award-winning musical August 3rd through 26th in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. The production will feature an African-American cast that includes native Marylander and local favorite, Awa Sal Secka as the formidable princess, Aida. Awa was most recently seen as Glinda in Ford Theater's production of The Wiz. Her arch nemesis, Amneris, is portrayed by Kanysha Williams, a consummate artist who returns to the DMV area after a national tour with Amazing Grace, The Musical. Their love interest Ramades is portrayed by a talented New Jersey native and equity actor Jonathan Michael. He recently made his off-Broadway debut in Bella: An American Tall Tale and is excited to make his ArtsCentric debut.

Performances will run Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Saturday matinee performances begin at 2:00pm, and Sunday performances are at 5:00pm.

All performances will take place at Motor House located at 120 W. North Ave. in Baltimore. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by calling the box office at (410) 205-5130 or online at www.ArtsCentric.net.

Based on the opera of the same name by Giuseppe Verdi, Aida chronicles the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her home country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Ramades, the soldier they both love. The star-crossed lovers Aida and Ramades are faced with the choice between love for one another and the responsibilities they have as leaders of their warring nations. Jonathan Michael pours his heart and soul into Ramades. He sums up the driven and complex character in a few words, "Ramades does all he can to be what everyone else wants or needs him to be, but never really gets what he truly wants."

Director, Kevin McAllister, Music Director Cedric Lyles, and Choreographer Shalyce Hemby spearhead the production team. McAllister envisions an ancient Egypt museum exhibit that comes to life to form the backdrop of the tale. Set designer Ryan Hasse and Lighting Designer Lynn Joslin are certainly up for the challenge. The production team, adamant about the need to draw audiences into the world of ancient Egypt, insisted on casting African-American artists as the storytellers for the work. "I find it ironic that a show set in Africa isn't traditionally cast with a majority African-American cast," states McAllister.

"We are doing our part to change that narrative. This is a timeless love story, and the story tellers we've chosen are truly committed, to breathing new life into this age-old tale." Musically, the work is filled with lyrical, inspiring love ballads and show stopping dramatic moments that will leave audiences breathless. Witness an all-star cast bring Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida to life as only ArtsCentric can! F

ounded by twelve aspiring young artists in 2003, ArtsCentric is an 501c(3) nonprofit theater company bringing quality artistic works and creative services to the community at large. Its members consist of talented artists, musicians, educators, composers, and playwrights.

Tickets for Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida are $30.00 and can be purchased online at www.ArtsCentric.net or by calling the Box Office: (410) 205-5130. For special group rates email: ArtsCentric@gmail.com

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