Raging hormones? Vicious fights? Behind-the-scenes intrigue? No, it’s not study hall—it’s Aida, the award-winning Walt Disney musical and Broadway smash hit.

The Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts will offer their version of the modern classic at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. All performances will be held at the Main Stage Theatre (450 Masten Ave, Buffalo).

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. To reserve tickets, please call (716) 816-4220.

Aida burst into national prominence in 2000 when, on the strength of its score by Elton John and Tim Rice, the musical began what would be a four-year Broadway run, garner 15 major theatrical awards including four Tonys, a Grammy, a Drama Desk Award, four National Broadway Theater Awards and a Clarence Derwent Award and tour the United States from 2001 to 2003 and again in 2006 and 2007.

Aida is the story of a Nubian woman who is captured by enemy Egyptian forces and subsequently catches the eye of Radames, heir to the Pharaoh. Radames is already engaged to Amneris, however, and life becomes increasingly complicated when he learns that the Pharaoh is on his deathbed and that Aida is actually a princess. When her identity is revealed, both she and Ramades must choose between love and country in this tragically beautiful tale.

Local theater veteran Lorna Hill directs what is described as “...a classic tale of forbidden love, set against a backdrop of warring nations and cultural differences.”  Karen Williams will serve as musical director for Aida and Rebecca Bateson-Brown is the choreographer.

The Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts “...provides an exciting college preparatory program for students in the arts and academics,” according to the school’s website. Former BAVPA students include such notables as television actor Jessie L. Martin, folk star Ani DiFranco,  television news personalities Claudine Ewing and Pete Gallivan, Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw, Buffalo school administrators Ramona Thomas-Reynolds and Jody Covington, Julliard grad Carmen Intorre and local performance art teachers George Davis and Nicole Jones, among many others.