Liggett students rise to the challenge of staging ‘Aida’

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — The University Liggett School Players are tackling a sweeping tale of love and betrayal in their spring musical.

The school is producing “Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida” March 9-12 on its main stage. It’s the story of Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her homeland and enslaved; Amneris, an Egyptian princess; and Radames, the soldier both women love.

At Liggett, while students still have help from faculty, the plays are largely led by students. Mallory Childs, of Grosse Pointe Farms, a junior, is a student leader and assistant director of this production. For her, “Aida” is an important show for the school on multiple levels.

“It’s very different for Liggett to have a predominantly Black cast and to have a Black female lead,” Childs said.

Phillip Moss, Ph.D., is the Performing Arts Department chair and director. He said each year the school discusses which shows it might want to do. Including shows with strong female characters is one consideration — especially given the number of strong female performers at the school. Having diverse casts is another consideration.

“Selection (of shows) is less about what cool Broadway show can we do,” Moss said.

Olivia Johnson, of Detroit, a junior, stars as Aida. Her voice and acting chops were up to the complex role.

While Aida is a slave, her character is multifaceted, as is this story, which allows Aida to be strong yet sensitive.

“Our history is so much more than slavery and all of the oppression and depression that we’ve gone through as a community,” Johnson said. “It’s important to recognize that we are a community that lifts each other up.”

Childs expressed a similar sentiment.

“What I want people to take away is that the Black community being vulnerable doesn’t take anything away,” Childs said. “There’s room to be strong-minded and vulnerable. … We’ve had to fight for everything.”

Senior Dahlia Medvinsky, of Grosse Pointe Woods, plays Amneris. She has been in every Liggett show since middle school and plans on majoring in musical theater when she heads to college.

“Amneris starts off as the stereotypical, shallow princess who is blinded by love,” Medvinsky said in an email interview. “But, when that is taken away, she is forced to step into her power and become the strong and empowering leader that she was always meant to be.”

Giovanni “Gio” Thams, of Grosse Pointe City, a junior, plays Radames. He’s been impressed by seeing his classmates step up to leadership roles in student productions.

“The chance to take on leadership (roles) has challenged us (in a positive way),” Thams said.

While this version of “Aida” isn’t the opera some audience members might be familiar with, it’s still musically and vocally difficult.

“This is hard music,” said senior Sophia Balaya, of Macomb Township, a student leader and flutist who’s helming the student pit orchestra. “It’s a hard show, so portraying it in the right way is important.”

Balaya said the musicians need to “make sure we complement” the actors.

Balaya, who’s been involved in every Liggett play since eighth grade, said they’re using different instruments for this show, including a bamboo flute from India they acquired for this production. She said one of the musicians even learned how to play a new instrument for this show, for which the students have transposed all the music.

Moss said the school orchestra, band and theater programs collaborate on these shows.

“It highlights the talented students in all of the programs,” Moss said.

Audiences can expect a powerful show produced by powerhouse performers on stage and behind the scenes.

Johnson is also an award-winning playwright, as is Childs. Moss said both students have won playwrighting honors at the state level.

“The message that I want people to take away from this is, the world will not get any better … if we do not have the difficult conversations,” Johnson said.

She said Aida has to fight for what she wants.

“As a woman, it’s important to know that I’m heard and my voice matters,” Johnson said.

Thams said this show “is just so impactful.”

For some students, like Medvinsky, this marks their final bow on the Liggett stage.

“I have been a part of the player’s program at Liggett for 7 years, and I am so excited to be doing Aida as my final show with the players,” Medvinsky said.

University Liggett School is located at 1045 Cook Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. Tickets to “Aida” cost $8 and can be purchased in advance by visiting search.seatyourself.biz/webstore/accounts/uls/buy-tix.