ARVADA -- When a play's title is the name of one its characters, there's usually a lot riding on the actor or actress who takes that part. Soara-Joye Ross makes it look easy with her sensual, powerful performance in the title role in the Arvada Center's regional premiere of "Aida."

The Elton John/Tim Rice musical takes its story from Giuseppe Verde's 19th-century opera of the same name. It's a timeless "Romeo and Juliet"-type love story set in Egypt as the country is warring with the Nubian kingdom on the other side of the Nile. When Egyptian captain Radames (Peter James Zielinski) captures a woman named Aida (Ross) and brings her home as a slave, he soon learns he's getting more than he bargained for.

The musical, a Disney production, won four Tony Awards in 2000, including best original musical score. Despite some unevenness, the Arvada Center production is a crowd-pleaser, especially for those with a soft spot for love stories.

First the quibbles: "Aida" is a contemporary pop musical, but some of the show's contemporary pop choreography detracts from the story -- in particular, the dance during the song "Another Pyramid." The eight male dancers -- dressed in contemporary-looking garb -- move through a boy-toy, eye-candy routine that would fit into one of Madonna's world tours circa 1990. It's unclear how it fits into a story set in a faraway place in a former century.

In contrast, choreographer Kitty Skillman Hilsabeck blends African and modern dance during the powerful ensemble number "Dance of the Robe," and it makes sense and helps move the story along.

In a color-blind casting move, director Rod A. Lansberry has Zielinski as his Radames, the Egyptian captain and love interest of Aida. Zielinski appears of white European ancestry, and casting him as the man who takes the Nubian Aida as a slave, opposite Ross, an African-American actress, brings a distracting element into play. He comes off more like Captain John Smith from "Pocahontas" than an Egyptian warrior, and it takes a while to remember the story is taking place on the banks of the Nile, not in the Americas.

However, by the time Zielinski is halfway through his first solo it becomes apparent why he landed the role. Zielinski's soulful tenor is a great fit for John's score. The show's musical highlight is Zielinski and Ross' duet "Elaborate Lives" -- the song that most sounds like it could've been pulled from an Elton John album. Zielinski and Ross cultivate great chemistry throughout the show, both in their scenes and their songs.

As the Egyptian princess Amneris, Julie Reiber takes the longest journey -- from glib fashionmonger to regal ruler with the wisdom that fits her position. Reiber's strong comic instincts should flourish as the run continues and the actress gets more comfortable with all the costume business in her first scene -- something that tempered her humor early on opening night.

She's already got the musical part down, though. Backed by a chorus of women, Reiber's upbeat "My Strongest Suit" wakes up the show and kicks it into high gear. Later, her quiet, vulnerable rendition of "I Know the Truth" in Act II is exquisite.

Arthur W. Marks also stands out as Mereb, Aida's countryman and valued servant to the Egyptians.

But there's no doubt this is Ross' show. The actress gives a stirring performance in the title role. Ross exudes dignity, intelligence, strength and beauty, and that's exactly who Aida needs to be for the story to work.

While she captures the essence of the Nubian princess named Aida, maybe there's something to the actress' name, as well. Whether bringing elegance to her ballads ("The Past Is Another Land," "Easy as Life"), show-stopping power to the rousing gospel of "The Gods Love Nubia" or great sensitivity to her duets with Zielinski, Soara-Joye Ross soars joyfully through her performance.

Contact Camera Theater Critic Mark Collins at (303) 473-1369 or theater@dailycamera.com.