Moonlight Stage Production opened its 2017 season Wednesday with a series of firsts. The Disney-born rock opera Aida is the first show of the summer season; this is the musicals first staging at the Vista amphitheater; and its the first Moonlight production to feature a cast made up almost exclusively of people of color.

But the opening night audience on Wednesday clearly witnessed another first: the sexiest onstage coupling in a Moonlight production this reviewer has seen in more than 20 years. Co-stars Daebreon Poiema and Richard Bermudez, who play the star-crossed lovers Aida and Radames, steam up the stage with their romantic chemistry. One passionate kissing scene conducted near the front rows brought gasps, embarrassed giggles and hearty hoots of encouragement from the crowd.

Credit: Ken Jacques Photography

Daebreon Poiema, center, as Aida with the company in Moonlight Stage Productions "Aida" at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista.

Daebreon Poiema, center, as Aida with the company in Moonlight Stage Productions "Aida" at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. (Credit: Ken Jacques Photography)

First produced in 1999, Aida is based on the 1871 Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The victorious Egyptian general Radames is betrothed to the princess Amneris, but falls in love instead with her slave, Aida, who is secretly the princess of Nubia, a rival African country. The musical adaptation features a score by Elton John and Tim Rice. Johns signature songwriting style start quiet with piano, then sweep to a high-note crescendo can be heard in many of the numbers. And the more dramatic talk/sung numbers bear a strong lyrical resemblance to Rices work with Andrew Lloyd Webber in Jesus Christ Superstar.

The ballads and duets have fared well with time, but some of the ensemble numbers and orchestration feel like theyre stuck in the 80s. Director/choreographer John Vaughan has modernized what he can, particularly with his African- and Middle Eastern-inspired choreography and his cast, which is almost entirely actors of color.

Aida is rarely staged because its vocal demands are so specific. You need multi-octave, rock-trained voices that can belt to the extreme. Fortunately, Poiema and Bermudez are more than up to the task. Virtually unrecognizable from her starring turn in last seasons Sister Act, Poiema acts with subtlety and naturalism and her vocal beauty is unmatched. The ultra-fit (and often bare-chested) Bermudez a Moonlight veteran who continues to grow in vocal power and technique easily navigates the tortuous score and never misses a note. Theyre well-matched in song and romance.

Credit: Ken Jacques Photography

Daebreon Poiema, left, as Aida and Bets Malone as Amneris in Moonlight Stage Productions "Aida" at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista.

Daebreon Poiema, left, as Aida and Bets Malone as Amneris in Moonlight Stage Productions "Aida" at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. (Credit: Ken Jacques Photography)

Vista-raised Bets Malone stars in the tricky role of Amneris, a character who transitions in two hours from ditzy, fashion-obsessed teen to mature, benevolent queen. Malone is a fine actor and vocal interpreter and shes very funny in her characters comic scenes. Yet while she sings well in the lower-range solo Every Story is a Love story that opens and closes the show, some of the higher notes in her first-act number My Strongest Suit sounded shrill.

Theres nice support work from vocalists Terrance Spencer and Gabrielle Jackson as the Nubian slaves Mereb and Nehebka, as well as big-voiced Bill Ledesma as Radames father, Zoser. Conductor and musical director Lyndon Pugeda had his work cut out for him with the hard-charging score, but the orchestra and vocal ensemble sounded crisp.

The productions design team includes lighting by Jean-Yves Tessier and sound by Jim Zadai. The rented costumes (coordinated and executed by by Carlotta Malone, Roslyn Lehman and Renetta Lloyd) and sets have a look that blends antiquity with futurism.

Aida isnt a perfect musical. Although much of the music is beautiful, some numbers are cheesy and over-dramatic. Still, theres no denying the talent onstage and the progressive thinking of Moonlights artistic team, which continues to push boundaries with new musicals and fresh ideas.

Every show this season, and the just-announced 2018 season, are new to the Moonlight stage. Still to come this summer: Disneys The Little Mermaid (July 19-Aug. 5), Andrew Lloyd Webbers Sunset Boulevard (Aug. 16-Sept. 2) and Lin-Manuel Mirandas In the Heights. Next summers shows are Mamma Mia, Disneys Newsies, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Chicago.

When: 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, through July 1.

Where: Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista.

Tickets: $23-$55, reserved. $17-$22, lawn seating.

Phone: 760-724-2110

Online: moonlightstage.com

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com. Twitter: @pamkragen

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Actors' chemistry heats up Moonlight's 'Aida' - The San Diego Union-Tribune