Without that shadow of danger, the love story is diminished - though Perez and Adam McCabe, as Radames, are full of longing looks. A simplistic dance number by choreographer Patti Haine doesn't add to their stature and just slows down the plot. This is a romance that should crackle with danger: What if the lovers are caught? Will they be killed? What will Zoser do if Radames won't follow his murderous scheme?īut Ian Clark as Zoser is hampered by the show's two weakest songs and a male chorus of soldiers who are lackluster in both voice and menace. The biggest weakness in GOAT's telling of the tale is the notable absence of any sense of fear hanging over the proceedings.

His evil father Zoser has arranged the match as part of his plan to murder the pharaoh and take control of Egypt. Captured by the Egyptian army captain Radames, Aida and her captor fall in love, but he is betrothed to Egyptian Princess Amneris. But, alas, fortune is fickle: One star does not a show make, and even the strong singing voice and expressive acting of Perez can't hide the wobbliness that dogs this production.īased on the Verdi opera, 'Aida' tells the story of its namesake Nubian princess. So it's a huge undertaking for a local theater company to stage the show in the small Goldman Theatre of the Lowndes Shakespeare Center.įortune did smile on GOAT, as the company is known, when director Paul Castaneda found charismatic Desiree Perez to play the title role. 'Aida' made a splash on Broadway in 2000 with big set pieces, dramatic lighting, athletic dances and extravagant costumes.

'Fortune favors the brave,' sing the Egyptian soldiers in the musical 'Aida,' and Greater Orlando Actors Theatre must have been feeling brave indeed to take on such a show.

2000 musical fortune favors the brave