Every city a new backdrop for 'Aida'

State Theatre offers Elton John's rock opera, Zoellner center offers Bulgarian State Opera.

Friday, January 19, 207

By SUSAN KALAN

The Express-Times

"Aida" is coming to the Lehigh Valley -- not once but twice with performances telling the classic Egyptian love story in both contemporary and operatic styles.

The State Theatre in Easton will welcome the national tour of Elton John and Tim Rice's modern musical interpretation of "Aida" 7 p.m. Sunday.

This contemporary "Aida," based on the story from the classic Verdi opera, won four Tony Awards in 2000 plus a Grammy Award for its pop-rock score.

The story unfolds of a love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. It is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal.

However, this "Aida" is not opera but a pop musical with dialogue and song types ranging from rhythm-and-blues to gospel and pop rock.

Two weeks after this performance, Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University in Bethlehem will present the Bulgarian State Opera's classical version of "Aida" 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4.

Verdi's operatic masterpiece, "Aida," is set against the majestic backdrop of ancient Egypt. It's supported by the venerable 100-member Bulgarian State Opera and full orchestra.

This is the company's fourth tour of the United States and is a combination of talent from all the major opera houses in Bulgaria including Sofia National Opera, Plovdiv Opera Philharmonic Society and the Stara Zagora Opera Theaters, plus opera houses and symphonies from around the world.

Touring life a challenge

Leah Allers is portraying Amneris in the nine-month national tour of "Aida" coming to the State Theatre. The tour will end in April.

During performances in Florida and Georgia, the Boston native took time to say this was her first national tour and it was "an adventure."

"The touring life is the most challenging," says the blonde, 5-foot, 10-inch Allers, who graduated from UCLA and studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. She's in eight shows a week with no days off. Life, she says, is pretty much "performing and traveling."

But she wouldn't have it any other way.

"You've got to keep the momentum -- eat well, get enough sleep," she explains. "Watch those vocal cords. And keep hydrated with water."

She says it's "absolutely recommended" to warm up with vocal exercises -- especially on a nine-month tour.

"I've probably kept the Ricola company in business," she laughs, referring to her preferred throat lozenge.

Allers describes her character Amneris as "such a treat and so fun" to portray.

Candy store for an actress

"It's like a candy store for an actress," she says.

"She's fluff in the beginning shallow and naïve and thinks the world revolves around clothing and beauty. When Aida comes into her life, she learns there's more to herself. She has some hard knocks, but she evolves into an empowered, noble woman. She becomes a heroine, altruistic in the end."

Allers calls "Aida" one of her "top three shows," followed by "Chess" and "Wild Party." Her favorite songs from "Aida" include the solo intimate ballad "I Know the Truth" and "Elaborate Lives," sung by the two leading characters.

Allers calls herself "bicoastal." Once the tour is over, she says she'll be "hitting the pavement" in New York for more acting jobs.

What she'll remember most about the "Aida" tour, she says, is "the complete excitement of being live and reaching so many people."

For Allers, "every city is a new backdrop. Each performance brings a different crowd and a different exchange of energy. It's like dancing with the audience -- I'm aware of them. I'm creating something for them. If they're responding, I'll go farther."

Allers says that as an actor, "honesty is so important. You have to live the life. You're always discovering. There is an innocence you have to keep it fresh and real."

The "Aida" audiences have such an age range, she says, with "the youngest crowd being the most vocal. Then there are the diehard fans who wait for us at the stage door."