RACINE - The Racine Unified School District Summer Musical Theatre summer performance will be the popular Broadway musical "Aida."

Aida is based on Giuseppe Verdi's opera of the same name. Disney Theatrical produced the musical, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1, and 2 p.m. Aug. 2 in the Gilmore Middle School Auditorium, 2330 Northwestern Avenue.

The musical originated from a children's storybook version of Verdi's opera. It tells the story of a forbidden and unrequited love. When a contemporary young man and woman are independently visiting a museum, they are swept from the exhibition of Egyptian artifacts back in time to ancient Egypt. The man finds that he is now Radames, prince of Egypt, and soon to be married. The young woman discovers that she is Aida, princess of Nubia, Egypt's longtime enemy, who has been captured by the Egyptians. Radames and Aida soon fall in love. The prince learns his forbidden love could cost him his throne. Aida must choose between Radames and betraying her country.

Students interested in participating as a cast or crew member should apply online on the district's Web site at http://www.racine.k12.wi.us, selecting the link for summer school registration. They can also fill out an application at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Center, 2220 Northwestern Ave. Students can earn 1 credit for participating.

Tickets to the show cost $10, with a special rate of $5 for seniors. Anyone interested in tickets should call (262) 631-7077. No seats are reserved, but early sale ticket holders are admitted into the theater first. For more information, students should call director Elizabeth Steege at (262) 631-4246.

For more about Racine Unified, go to http://www.racine.k12.wi.us