Michelle Williams stars as Aida in the Muny's final production of 2016.
Aida
When: Aug. 8-14, 8:15 p.m. 2016
The Muny closes season 98 in monumental fashion by staging Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida. The musical is based on the Verdi opera of the same name, but John and Rice plunder the world of music for the songs. You'll hear reggae, Motown, gospel, pop and West African melodies in the story of proud Nubian princess Aida and her Egyptian captor, Radames, who is also the pharaoh-to-be. Despite Radames' impending marriage to Amneris, he finds himself attracted to Aida — so much so that he installs her as his fiancée's handmaiden. Can love broach the culture gap and give these two a happy ending? Maybe — but it'll take a while. Aida is performed at 8:15 Monday through Sunday (August 8 to 14) at the Muny in Forest Park (www.muny.org). Tickets are $14 to $90.