'Aida' on the Way to Branford

Signs have cropped up in front of Branford High School (BHS) in advance of Aida-the Musical and in a few more weeks, many businesses will be displaying another show of support, during Aida's Phavorite Pharaoh merchant display event.

Merchants are encouraged to contact the show's publicity committee now to sign on for this popular pre-show event with a big community presence. BHS Performing Arts Co-Director Toni Cartisano said this year's merchant display event will help the school's musical bring ancient Egypt, the setting for Aida, to Branford.

"We've taken you to a lot of places with these shows, but we've never been to Egypt before," said Cartisano, who once again is teaming up with BHS music teacher Cathyann Roding to direct yet another amazing BHS musical.

Recent shows include last year's wildly successful performances of Phantom of the Opera, set in a gilded Paris opera house; as well as 2010's On the Town, a story of sailors in World War II-era New York City; and Pirates of Penzance in 2009-that sea-faring farce hoisted the sails on the first merchant display event and had Branford awash in pirates. Now, businesses will be encouraged to contribute to a phalanx of pharaohs for the town to enjoy.

"Once again, we're inviting merchants in town to participate in this community event," said Cartisano

Cartisano's a retired Branford educator and she and Roding are particularly interested in helping residents learn a bit about the history of the time in which this year's show is set. The powerful story of love involves a Nubian princess, Aida, captured and enslaved by an Egyptian solider, Radames, who is betrothed to Amneris, the woman who'll become the next pharaoh of Egypt.

Cartisano said one of the most fascinating aspects of that ancient time was that a woman, as well as a man, could take the role of the all-powerful pharaoh and it's from that point that the merchant's display event takes off. Merchants will be provided with a pharaoh's crown to top whatever type of female pharaoh they can create and display, enhanced with wares from their own business or shop.

Once the displays begin appearing, fans of the pharaohs can vote for their favorite on The Sound's website Zip06.com and be entered to win two tickets to the show.

Merchants interested in participating in Aida's Phavorite Pharaoh contest must register their interest by contacting the publicity committee by Thursday, Feb. 9 at bhsperformingarts.aida@aol.com. More details for the online readers vote for Aida's Phavorite Pharaoh contest will be announced soon.

BHS Performing Arts presents Aida-the Musical from March 21 to 25. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 students and seniors. A special public ticket sale event Saturday, Feb. 4, runs from 9 a.m. to noon in the BHS lobby, 185 East Main Street. Tickets are also available by calling 203-315-7998, ext. 2500.