Aida: A Musical of Wonders

            Every year I return to Plainfield, IL to visit old friends. I always manage to come here around the time Plainfield South High School puts on their annual spring musical. This year, they preformed “Aida”, starring Whitney Sampleton as Aida, Kevin Casson as Radames, and Maddie Cooney as Amneris. The show looked promising and I’d never heard of “Aida”, so I didn’t really know what to expect. What I found, was a promising career for the Sampleton, Casson, and Cooney. I had heard rumors that Kevin and Whitney knew how to sing and act, but I was preparing for my hopes to be crushed and to go home not even bothering to think of the show again.

            Let me tell you, none of the cast disappointed me.

            “Aida” is a forbidden love tale about a Nubian princess who falls in love with the captain that took her from her land. No one knows that she is the princess, but her people who have also been made slaves by the Egyptians. Radames falls in love with Aida, but is betrothed to the princess of Egypt, Amneris.

It was truly a moving tale. Never, and I mean NEVER have I been moved this way by a bunch of high schoolers. I was in tears by the end of the show (No, I will NOT give away the ending). I’m going to see it again Saturday, it was that good!

I STRONGLY recommend seeing “Aida” before the curtain closes forever on the show.

March 24^th, 2012: Show beings at 7 p.m. tickets cost $7.

March 25^th, 2012: Show will begin at 2 p.m. Ticket price is the same.

            PS: I know this is not a movie, but it was so good, I had to tell you all about it! J