Candace Delancy has never formally acted on a stage in Southwest Florida.
But the success of the Manatee Players premiere of “Aida” will largely rest on her bare shoulders when the Disney musical opens Thursday at the Riverfront Theatre in downtown Bradenton.
The 24-year-old landed the title role originated by Heather Headley, who won a Best Actress Tony Award in 2000 for playing the Nubian princess in the Broadway smash.
Delancy’s only other acting experience came a couple years ago when she appeared in “Ragtime” at the Cocoa Village Playhouse.
Delancy moved to Bradenton from Titusville two years ago and teaches second grade at Jessie P. Miller Elementary School.
“I love musical theater even though I’m a newcomer to it,” Delancy said. “I was checking the Manatee Players’ website and saw ‘Aida’ and just thought I would audition. I’d never seen it but I’m a big fan of Heather Headley.”
Delancy also admires the character she’s portraying.
“There’s this internal struggle for the people she loves and the man she falls in love with,” she said. “Aida handles the situation with such bravery and determination, being that kind of person is just remarkable.”
The production known for its elaborate set designs, demanding dance numbers and songs such as the hit single “Written in the Stars” is being directed and choreographed by the Players’ artistic director Rick Kerby.
“She has the vocal ability, the physical look and this quiet kind of power inside of her that’s crucial for the role of Aida,” Kerby said of his new leading lady.
The Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) show, based on the Giuseppe Verdi opera of the same name, tells a classic tale of forbidden love.
Enslaved with a group of her Nubian handmaidens, Aida quickly catches the eye of the conquering Egyptian captain, Radames.
He’s played by William E. Masuck, who played Captain Von Trapp earlier this season in the Manatee Players’ production of “The Sound of Music.”
“I’m a real jerk in the beginning and have no feelings -- just conquer -- but through Aida my character really changes,” Masuck, 30, said. “He throws it all away for love.”
Radames is unenthusiastically engaged to Amneris (Trina Rizzo), the daughter of the Pharaoh (Rodd Dyer). Amneris is famous for her fashionable ways but it’s eventually revealed her beautiful exterior masks insecurities.
Rizzo was previously seen on the Players’ stage last season in “Shout! The Mod musical.”
“It’s interesting how she goes through a major transformation,” said Rizzo, a senior at Manatee High School with nearly a decade of local theater experience. “It’s something I look for in roles. I like characters that change. I don’t like playing the static ones.”
In typical tragic manner, Radames and Aida pay the ultimate price to be together.
For the show to work, theatergoers must empathize with the passion driving the princess.
“I used to always sing pretty,” Delancy said. “But for this show I’m really bringing out the emotion so the audience feels what I’m trying to portray as the character.”
Wade Tatangelo, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-745-7057. Visit heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com.
IF YOU GO
What: “Aida”
When: Feb. 23-March 11; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Manatee Players Riverfront Theatre, 102 Old Main St., Bradenton
Tickets: $25/$11 students
Information: 941-748-5875 or www.manateeplayers.com
