The Alejandros of 'Aida'
MANILA, Philippines - His is the voice that defined OPM and Manila sound in ’70s and ’80s that made many a lady swoon with such classic OPM hits like Nakapagtataka and Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika. Hers is a voice that followed closely in her father’s footsteps and made its way into showbusiness at the tender age of 12.
He is Hajji Alenjandro and she is Rachel Alejandro. That talent can run in the blood is certainly proven by this father-daughter tandem. Father and daughter — after numerous successes in the recording, concert and TV scene — now take to the stage together in Atlantis Productions’ staging of the pop rock musical Aida.
Aida is the Tony Award winning musical by Elton John and Tim Rice. It tells the story of the Nubian princess, Aida who is captured by the Egyptians. In Egypt, she becomes handmaiden to the Egyptian Princess, Amneris who is bethrothed to her captor, the Egyptian Captain, Radames. This love triangle forces the star-crossed trio of lovers to choose between their passions and their devotion to their countries, face death and ultimately choose to forgive so that love survives and stands the test of time.
Rachel Alejandro stars as Princess Amneris, daughter of the Egyptian Pharaoh and fiancée to Radames.
She says “I watched Aida on Broadway and then just had to go and see it again, and each time, I cried buckets. From then I knew that I wanted to play Amneris. She is like the narrator of the story. She opens the show and at the end, her character’s transformation is critical to the story’s tragic yet somehow satisfying resolution. As Amneris, I get some of the funniest lines in the show. I am looking forward to hearing the audience laugh and cry with me.”
Rachel is no stranger to an audience laughing and crying with her after taking on such roles as Mimi in Rent, Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q, and, most recently, Kira/Clio in Xanadu. Among all those raving and laughing at those shows was Hajji Alejandro, proud father.
This time, the proud father joins his daughter in Aida as Zoser, chief minister of Egypt and father of Radames, who will stop at nothing to assure his son’s rise to the throne.
“Rachel and I saw Aida on Broadway when we did a concert together in New York and we both fell in love with it. I think it’s a love story that all Filipinos will be able to relate to. To be able to do this show with Rachel here in Manila is a dream come true. We hope to see all of you at the show,” says Hajji.
Chari Arespacochaga who directs the show says, “I am thrilled to have Hajji and Rachel in the show. Theirs are the voices that will certainly do the beautiful songs of the show justice. Rachel and I have worked together on numerous shows in the past and I could think of no other Amneris that I wanted. It will be wonderful to see Hajji take on the stage once again after a long, long time and in such an interesting role.”
They join the previously announced Ima Castro, who will play the title role of Aida.
Aida runs at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza from June 24 to July 10. For Show-buying, fundraising opportunities and tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 8927078. For news and updates, follow AidaofManila on Twitter.
