David Marlowe interviews Pat Pearce regarding

THE 2013 CENTRAL CITY OPERA SEASON

   I got a chance to chat with Pelham (Pat) Pearce the other day regarding the upcoming season at Central City Opera. As always it was a pleasure. Central City Opera's General/Artistic Director just received the prestigious 2013 Bonfils-Stanton Award for his contributions to the field of Arts and Humanities. Pearce, who has led Central City Opera since 1996 has received critical praise locally, nationally and internationally for premiering new operas. He has also presented neglected works, as well as having traditional operas staged in innovative ways. Pearce’s reputation has brought us the best talent from the United States and around the world. His ear for excellence, passion for story-telling, and bold experiments with musical theatre have made Central City Opera a vital force on the American and international opera scenes.

     Central City Opera opens its 2013 Festival on June 29 with a brand new production of “The Barber of Seville” by Rossini that has a beautiful set which has Rosina in a two-story bird cage. She’s trapped with only her wits to get her out. Jennifer Rivera will be an amazing Rosina. Now living in New York City she’s had most of her career in Europe. Daniel Belcher who played the husband in Central City Opera’s 2011 “Les Mamelles de Tiresias” and the title character in “Gianni Schicchi” will play Figaro. The renowned Patrick Carfizzi will sing Doctor Bartolo.

             Ned Rorem’s “Our Town” will play the Central City Opera House from July 6 through the 28th. Based on Thornton Wilder’s play, Rorem’s “warmhearted music” tells the tale of the everyday lives of citizens of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire circa 1901. It depicts the landmark events in everyone’s lives: first love, marriage and death. Performed in English, “Our Town” will be directed by Ken Cazan who has directed many of the superb offerings at Central City Opera over the last ten years.  Conductor Christopher Zemliauskas will conduct. Vale Rideout will portray the stage manager. Anna Christy will play Emily Webb, William Ferguson will play George Gibbs and Sally Wolf will portray Mrs. Webb.

     Pearce said that “Rorem really understands what the human voice can and can’t do, and people will feel very comfortable with his opera.” It’s easily accessible and there’s absolutely nothing foreign. The music is superb Americana. He’s mixed in hymns and adapted folk tunes to his particular kind of writing.  There’s a kind of sparse sound to the music in the mold of Aaron Copland. Rorem, who is known for ‘a godzillion’ art songs, is extremely adept at painting pictures with words and music. There’s going to be a realistic costume design and a realistic scenic design that’s extremely minimalist. I think you’ll enjoy director Ken Cazan’s directorial concept.  Pearce laughed saying “It’s a tearjerker anyway.” The libretto by J.D. McClatchy is in our native tongue and a bit more fleshed out than those of some operas. After Wilder died the estate agreed to let Rorem and McClatchy translate the play to the opera stage. We lose some characters and a few chunks of the play and yet these two magicians still manage to keep the things that make it click.

     This is the first and only time it’s been adapted. Pearce saw the show at C.U. Boulder and says that although he enjoyed the production “this will be the first time the opera will have been performed by “artists of this caliber.” This will be the first full-fledged professional production of this show in the Rocky Mountain region and Pearce sounded extremely proud that he was bringing artists of great stature to sing the famous roles.

     The surprise for this season is that “Show Boat” will be done at The Buell Theatre. They’ve been testing the waters about the possibility of doing something down here in Denver for a while now. As wonderful and unique as the Central City Opera House is, it’s been a big loser as far as money goes. This company loses up to half a million dollars on every show they do. Twenty percent of the money comes from the box office and 80 percent comes from contributors. That’s kind of dangerous these days. Both shows of “Oklahoma” sold out at The Newman Center last season. “Show Boat” will be great in the big house. For the seven performances in the Buell they hope to net one million plus. It’ll broaden their audience and begin to move them from the 20/80 percentages to a 65/35 quota that they need so badly.

     There will be a big orchestra on stage that’s actually on the showboat. They’re going to put the musicians out there where people can see them! James Youmans, a very famous set designer from Broadway will make the show a lush treat visually. And of course the genius of lighting David Jacques will be on board with yet another stunner in the illumination department. Soloman Howard will be playing the role of Joe, the advice-giving dockworker who sings “Ol Man River.” He’s an ex football player who was homeless for a time. Placido Domingo found him at the audition and took him into the program. He’s an amazingly talented man. Angela Renee Simpson will play Queenie. This show is full of lots more incredible opera stars including Emily Pulley, Troy Cook and Curt Olds. Ray Roderick, who directed the incredibly successful “Love, Perfect, Change” at The Galleria Theatre will be great directing this one. He loves this part of the repertoire and directs a lot of these kinds of musicals back in Connecticut at the Goodspeed Theatre.

     Pearce is trying a lot of experiments to create new audiences for this spectacular art form. Opera can’t remain static. It has to adapt to survive. So at the end of July they’ll shut down Central and come down here. Pearce wants to make opera as ‘ungrandified’ as it can be. He says they’re going to be singing in a lot of unusual places in the next few years as they look at opera through the prism of story telling. The kernel of what Central City Opera is about is telling stories through song. They want to sing a story for you as an audience. Pearce ended by saying, “In some way we’ve created a lot of trappings that some find off-putting. Now we’re trying to get back to the core of it. That’s the concept of story telling. Let us sing you a story!”

DID YOU KNOW…

Celebrating its 81st year, Central City Opera is the nation's fifth-oldest opera company, located just 35 miles west of Denver in one of Colorado's official National Landmark Historic Districts. The company continues to present artistically excellent professional opera in its annual summer festival; to offer career-entry training to young singers; to produce education and community service programs; and to preserve and maintain the Opera House and 30 other Victorian-era properties.

IN A NUT SHELL:

Central City Opera 2013 Festival

Central City Opera House - June 29 to July 28

The Barber of Seville opens the Festival in Central City on June 29 and runs through July 27. Ned Rorem's operatic adaptation of Our Town is the second offering opening July 6 and running at the Opera House through July 28.

Central City Opera Comes to Denver's Buell Theatre - August 6 to 11

Central City Opera comes to Denver for seven consecutive performances of Kern and Hammerstein II's Broadway classic musical, Show Boat at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex from Tuesday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 11. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.centralcityopera.org or call 303-292-6700.

Marlowe's Musings

Miners Alley Playhouse

Collected Stories

Miners Alley Playhouse: 6/7 – 7/14

                Billie McBride and Devon James

                  Foto Credit: JR Cody Schuyler

     “Collected Stories,” now on view at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden is a thoroughly engrossing drama. On the surface it’s the story of two writers. Ruth is a renowned author who has turned to teaching. Lisa is her adoring student and biggest fan. When Lisa is allowed to meet and be tutored by Ruth she is elated and becomes privy to her mentor’s most closely guarded secrets.

     The acting in this production is truly remarkable. Broadway veteran Billie McBride delivers a performance that is undeniably natural. As Ruth she presents a no nonsense professor whose straight-forward honesty is the very essence of integrity.

     Devon James’ performance as Lisa gives us a young woman of unbridled enthusiasm who bubbles with an adoration for her teacher bordering on sycophancy in the opening scenes. In the six years following she grows from a self-deprecating pupil to confident author. The relationship that develops between the two women allows her to not only become confident but also a trusted confidant.

     The deceptively simple story line belies an intricate human relationship that is illumined beautifully by these two actors.

     Playwright Donald Margulies has crafted an intriguing evening of theatre that asks the viewer to decide whether it is ever ethical to use another person’s private story to further her career.

     You owe it to yourself to see this show for the accomplished and sensitively drawn performances.

Miners Alley Playhouse presents

"Collected Stories"

June 7 – July 14

Are one person's life events suitable for another to use in their own creative process?

Fri. and Sat. @ 7:30 p.m. and Sun @ 6 p.m. (2 p.m. on July 14)

$19.00 - $29.50; senior, student and group rates available.

303-935-3044 or online at www.minersalley.com

Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Avenue (13^th and Washington 2^nd floor entrance on 13^th) in Golden, CO.

HAIR

Town Hall Arts: 5/17 – 6/16

                              Matt LaFontaine

                                Burke Walton

                          Ashley-Amber Harris

Casey Andree

     The production of Hair now on view at Town Hall Arts in Littleton is an exhilarating evening of theatre! Nick Sugar’s direction and choreography lend this classic a freshness that is undeniable. Sugar is a master of all things theatrical and we are all blessed to have his creative fire in our community. His ability to cast a show so impeccably, elicit exquisite performances from those cast and to draw in technical artists who are first rate creates a ‘something more’ unknown to other directors. This is a mystery and to understand what it is you need to go and experience.

     Having seen the show in 1969 on Broadway and then again in London as well as using the lyrics heard on the vinyl of the version francais one is shocked to see and hear a production that is better than all of the aforementioned.

     Donna Kolpan Debreceni and her outstanding onstage orchestra rocks out as never before. John Rivera’s sound design makes itself known in powerful terms when needed as does Jonathan Scott-McKean’s outstanding lighting design and Linda Morken’s well thought out costume design. Likewise Brian Freeland’s sensitively created video design tickles our memory banks and silently delivers us to the faces and events of the time of the United States’ war on Viet Nam.

     Matt LaFontaine’s performance as Leo Berger is what one must call a pinnacle performance. It is utterly astounding and transcends whatever one may have seen previously. LaFontaine is a master of his craft and his portrayal of this character is energizing and electrifying!

     Ashley-Amber Harris is an absolute knock-out! Casey Andree gives a masterful performance as Claude.

     Burke Walton is a memorable Woof.  Norrell Moore (Sheila) ,Rebekah Ortiz(Jeanie) and Tim Howard turn in magnificent portrayals.  Rae Klapperich, Noah Jordan, Tyrell D. Rae(Hud) and Carter Edward Smith enhance the show immeasurably. 

     This is not a show that you can miss. It's one of the two or three top musicals of the season.

Town Hall’s production opens May 17 and runs through June 16, 2013. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (& 2:00 p.m. on 6/1 & Sundays at 2 p.m. (& 6:30 p.m. on 6/9).

Ticket Information:

Reserved seat tickets are currently on sale, priced $20.00-$40.00 at the Town Hall Arts Center box office, 303-794- 2787 ext. 5 (Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to Noon/ 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Noon to 4 p.m. and 1 Hour prior to Shows) or on-line at www.TownHallArtsCenter.com . In a continuing effort to make plays at Town Hall Arts Center accessible to all, ten value seats at $10 each will be made available on a first-come-first-served basis one-hour prior to each published curtain time.

Marlowe's Musings

Dust Storm and

Spirit and Sworded Treks (playing in repertory)

Vintage Theatre: 5/30 – 6/23

     Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA) is the first Asian American Theatre Company in Colorado. Co-founded by Maria Cheng and Tria Xiong, this is a company to keep your eye on. I was lucky enough to get to see their premiere of two new one-acts over at Vintage Theatre and was stunned by the work.

     The first play, Rick Foster’s “Dust Storm,” takes us on a heartbreaking journey that begins with an Asian American schoolboy awakening on the morning of December 7, 1941. The shockwaves in America begin to ripple and soon there is a flood of paranoia directed at the Asian American community. 

     The subsequent journey these innocent immigrants are forced to take from one internment camp to another is told with the strong clear voice of actor Peter Trinh and the thoroughly well written words of playwright Rick Foster. Accompanying Trinh’s poignant performance are slide projections of the images of Chiura Obata, who recorded the tragic story in his sketches. The show is directed by Warren Sherrill and merits your attendance.
                                                
                                                                       Maria Cheng

     The second play written and performed by playwright, director and actor Maria Cheng is “Spirit and Sworded Treks.” This is a magnificent work. Ms. Cheng is an artist of the first magnitude and her performance of this play is a fluid meditation on her observations of Life. It involves what one might assume to be a lifetime study of martial arts , a clear understanding of spirituality and a deep connection with such American institutions as Van Cliburn’s classical music and football. 

     This is a masterful expression of performance art that is not to be missed. As Cheng regales us with her intoxicating wide-eyed storytelling we are mesmerized by her constantly shifting body postures and martial arts moves that mostly include a Samurai sword. 

      This work is richly textured with high energy, pathos and lots of hilarious moments. The audience sits in rapt attention throughout exploding in bursts of laughter as Ms. Cheng injects her monologue with searingly well  aimed and timed bon mots.

Theatre Esprit Asia presents

Rick Foster's Dust Storm (in rep with Spirit & Sworded Treks)

Directed by Warren Sherrill.

Maria Cheng's Spirit & Sworded Treks (in rep with Dust Storm)

Directed by Maria Cheng & Tria Xiong

*mature adult language.May 30 - June 23Tickets are available by calling 303-856-7830 or online at www.theatre-esprit-asia.org. All performances are held at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010 Marlowe's Musings

Long Day’s Journey into Night

Germinal Stage Denver: 5/3 – 6/9

                        Erica Sarzin-Borrillo  

     Eugene O’Neill was awarded the 1937 Nobel Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize posthumously for ”Long Day’s Journey into Night.” It’s an autobiographical play in which O’Neill unveils the family secrets of his devastatingly dysfunctional family. All of these characters are chained to their pasts. Their dashed hopes are fodder for the disillusionment, depression and despair that O’Neill describes in his play. Their inability to forget and forgive fences them in as much as drug addiction and alcohol.

     It’s long! Four acts including two ten-minute intermissions! And it’s dark serious drama that’s harrowing and disturbing. Even so there is a euphoric aspect granted a lover of theatre who is privileged to see a truly great production of a great work such as this one.

     Erica Sarzin- Borrillo is luminous as Mary Tyrone. Her performance gives us a meditation on the devastation reeked upon a family because of a woman’s addiction to the medication prescribed for her by her physician. The subsequent loss of self in a foggy sea of memories allows her a return to childhood, which disallows her presence in the lives of her loved ones.

     As Mary’s husband James, the tight-fisted patriarch of this clan, Ed Baierlein presents a rock solid portrayal of this man who stubbornly clings to his wallet even in the face of health issues with the younger of his two sons. Stephen Kramer draws upon a deep wellspring of stage memories in describing Tyrone’s dissolute actor son James.

     Zachary M. Andrews’ sensitive portrayal of Edmund Tyrone the character representative of O’Neill as a young man here embodies the struggle to be true to his own artistic sensibilities in the midst of the melee.

      Zachary M. Andrews and Erica Sarzin-Borrillo

     Director Baierlein succeeds with the use of layered dialogue as no other director in town. The first time I became aware of his talent in this regard was in his astonishingly well directed production of “Hurly Burly” in 1986 when Germinal was still in the space downtown.

       This reviewer has seen numerous versions of “Long Day’s Journey into Night” including one in which the pacing was so slow a woman dozed off and crashed to the floor.

      You owe it to yourself to experience the greatness of O’Neill’s masterwork in Germinal Stage Denver’s truly grand production.

Germinal Stage Denver, located at West 44th Avenue and Alcott Street in Northwest Denver, presents

LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT

This is the third production of the theatre’s 39th season.

   Performances Friday ($21.75), Saturday ($23.75) and Sunday ($19.75) through June 9th.

ALL PERFORMANCES AT 7:00Marlowe's Musings

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The Wizard of Oz

Boulder’s Dinner Theatre: 5/18 – 8/31

           Sarah Grover

      When Sarah Grover opens her mouth to sing “Over the Rainbow” you will be over the moon. Ms. Grover is an absolute doll of a Dorothy. You will fall in love with her and her little dog,too. 

     However … Toto did steal one scene in which he ran offstage causing her to rush after him to search for him under the dining tables at which patrons were seated. It was one of those unforgettably charming moments that one only gets at live theatre and the squeals of delight from the children were priceless. Once Dorothy had him firmly in hand the show continued seamlessly.

     Shortly thereafter Dorothy is swept up from her home in Kansas and transported to Oz by the astounding tornado acrobatically twirled and twisted by the very talented Jessica Hindsley and Matthew D. Peters.

Seth Caikowski

     Seth Caikowski’s ferociously funny cowardly lion must have Bert Lahr rolling in his grave. Never has this reviewer seen such comic prowess (or should one say meow-ess?) His performance will have you roaring with laughter. Scott Beyette’s portrayal of the Scarecrow is indelible. His ability to perform the physiologically challenging acrobatics that give us the illusion that he is nothing more than a bag full of straw is phenomenal.

     Bob Hoppe’s Tin Man is most memorable. Decked out in Ms. Morken’s awesome metallic armor Hoppe has never been better. His singing and dancing of “If I Only had a Heart” charms.

Scott Beyette and Sarah Grover

All photo credits: Glenn Ross 

     Barb Reeves cackles her way to glory with gleeful abandon as the Wicked Witch of the West. Tracy Warren’s Glinda glitters and shimmers adorned to her scintillating armpits in sparkling Good Witch sequins.     Joanie Brosseau is superb in numerous roles including Nikko, the flying monkey. Wayne Kennedy turns in an Oz-some performance as The Great Oz and Professor Marvel.

     As the Gatekeeper Brian Norber is one belly laugh after another. You won’t be able to keep your eyes off him as he leads his fellow Ozzians in the singing and dancing of the exhilarating “Merry Old Land of Oz."

     Alicia Dunfee’s topnotch direction and innovative choreography enhance this old warhorse with a freshness and verve that is exhilarating.

     The set designed by Amy Campion dazzles and Linda Morken’s costume design is eye-popping throughout.   The outrageously well-done wig design by Debbie Spaur adds a touch of Broadway that is sometimes missing in musicals in Colorado.

     The inclusion of the Jitterbug scene that was cut from the movie enhances this show immeasurably.

     Every man, woman and munchkin in the land should see it!

Marlowe's Musings

Tickets for The Wizard of Oz are on sale now. Prices start at just $35, and include both the performance and dinner served by the stars of the show. All tickets for opening weekend (Saturday, May 18 - Sunday, May 19, 2013) are just $35. Group rate tickets and season subscriptions are available for all performances throughout the year. Call (303) 449-6000 or log on to www.bouldersdinnertheatre.com for reservations and/or additional details about the show.

And then there was nun

Vintage Theatre: May 17 – June 16

     Campy, kitschy and kooky, Vintage Theatre’s “And Then There Was Nun” is a panic!

     She’s got Bette Davis eyes!  Of course I’m referring to that funny, funny actor, Bob Leggett who’s playing Sister Bette in Vintage Theatre’s rollicking new production of “And Then There Was Nun.” Leggett is outstanding as that Bette we all know and adore of “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” fame. Leggett gets loads of laughs just rolling those big ol’ Bette Davis eyes.

     Her sister, Joan (Crawford) is played with tongue in cheek by Shane Delavan.

      Decked out in an ante bellum hoop skirt with tiny four leaf clovers Preston Britten is the hilarious Vivien Leigh of “Gone With the Wind” fame.

Preston Britten and Geri Crawley

                                         All photos by Denver Mind Media
     Geri Crawley is smashing as the incahation of Sistuh Hattie (McDaniel) of the same suthuhn plantatiuhn as Mistuh Britten’s Scahlett.  

     Abby Apple Boes is stunning in her portrayal of Sister Gloria (Swanson.) As the aging star with the bulging eyes always craving her close-up, Apple Boes delivers a juicy performance that’s delicious to the core. 

                                           

                    Abby Apple Boes

     Cathy Washburn’s Sister Katherine (Hepburn) gets high marks as well standing out among these “loons!” (Sorry!)

      In fact the whole cast has gotten into the habit of being deliriously out of control as they portray this convent full of the aging Hollywood Sisters of Saint Andreas. Directed with a light touch and a quick pace by Peter Hughes, this offering is a comedy directed at anybody who loves vintage movies and has even one funny bone in his body.

                              

   The cast of "And Then There Was Nun"

Richard T. Witter’s and Bruce W. Gilray’s play is a send-up of Agatha Christie’s book and subsequent screenplay. As directed by Mr. Hughes and “fleshed out” by this cast of Hollywood nun-stars, the show twinkles and shines!  The script sticks to the bare bones of Christie’s murder mystery as one nun after another meets the grim reaping hand of “Mother Paramount.”  The very funny script also mirrors Neil Simon’s script for the 1976 “Murder by Death” in which a pun-slinging all star cast of famous literary detectives met their maker at the hands of a maniacal Truman Capote.

      I defy you, dear reader, to find all the references to the classics of treasured cinema. There are so many of them that you will not believe your ears. Trust me, dear reader. It’s laugh-filled to say the least!

Vintage Theatre presents

"And Then There Was Nun"

May 17 – June 16, 2013
Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.

$25 ($20 advance)
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.com

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010

Marlowe's Musings