Vienna Youth Players Bring Elton John to Town

Elton John is coming to Vienna.

Well, not literally- his music will serve as the soundtrack when the Vienna Youth Players perform the popular Broadway musical 'AIDA' in August.

The show will open on Friday, August 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Vienna Community Center. The show will run again at the same time on August 3, 9 and 10, with a special Sunday matinée at 1 p.m. on August 11. Tickets cost $14 and are available at the Community Center box office.

The musical tells the story of Aida, an Ethiopian princess who is taken into slavery by the Egyptian military commander Ramades. As if an enslaved princess doesn't complicate things enough, the show kicks up a notch as Ramades falls in love with his captive and must weigh his emotions with his loyalty to the Pharaoh.

'AIDA' is the 20th production by director Babs Dyer, who has been with the Vienna Youth Players since the group's inception in 1993. Many alumni of the Vienna Youth Players under Dyer have gone on to study theater, musical theater or voice in college before beginning careers as performers.

"Babs is just absolutely amazing at what she does with these children, for these children, developing their talents," producer JoEtte Fletcher said. "She really makes it a lot of fun for these kids."

Sarah Chapin stars as Aida opposite co-lead Robert Rivera, who portrays Radames. Both Chapin and Rivera are veterans among the Vienna Youth Players, having acted together in the Players' production of 'Into the Woods' in 2008. Next year, Chapin will go on to study at Yale University, while Rivera begins his studies at George Mason University.

Elton John wrote the music for this Broadway rendition of 'AIDA', which was originally an Italian opera composed by Verdi in the 19th century. Time Rice wrote the lyrics to the music for this performance, helping turn this dramatic opera into a powerhouse musical. 

After nearly two months of rehearsals, the cast and crew are eager to debut the show to a live audience, and feel confident that it will be another entertaining performance this summer.

"I have a million things I'm looking forward to about the show," Chapin said.