The Magnum Theater Company, a new company whose only previous production was an off-the-radar performance of Rent, is putting on a surprisingly strong rendition of the pop musical Aida. The show, with book by Tim rice and songs by Elton John, is an ambitious project for such a new company to attempt, but Marquee’s interpretation is earning rave reviews. Previously-unkown college sophomore Alexandria Lugo has been especially praised for her turn in the title role, her brassy mezzo-soprano suiting the pop rock score perfectly.
Other elements of the show that have received acclaim are the choreography by Ben Solmor and the musical direction by the veteran Bill Hinton. The Magnum theater Company is a low-budget operation, so creative lighting design and costumes are used to transport the audience to a faraway place without elaborate sets.
Hopefully, this production indicates a bright future for Magnum, and for Palm Beach’s theater scene. The company’s stated mission of producing big scale productions of Broadway musicals on a shoe string budget is hard to pull off, but this Aida shows that this company can make it possible.
Read the full article here: Surprisingly Strong Aida Showcases Memorable Debut For Star Alexandria Lugo