The Ballad of Baby Doe

Central City Opera: July 9 through August 6

                           

Marlowe's Musings

L-R: Susanne Mentzer, Grant Youngblood and Anna Christy (Photo Credit: Kira Horvath, provided by Central City Opera)

 In 1956 Central City Opera premiered an opera which it had commissioned entitled “The Ballad of Baby Doe.” That opera, composed by Douglas Moore and with libretto by John Larouche,  is being revived this summer in repertory with Giacomo Puccini’s "Tosca." 

     It’s the 60^th anniversary of its premiere and this season’s production is visually magnificent! Peppered with American folk tunes, Mr. Moore’s composition is one of the best liked in the repertoire of the American opera. It’s the quintessential riches to rags scenario set at the height of the Colorado mining boom.

     Lighting maestro David Martin Jacques has headed up the technical end of this production in which projections of the actual locations are seen as backdrop for the singers. These not only include the colorful mining town exteriors, but also vistas featuring Colorado’s skies. One must be aware of the happiness of those backstage. Having seen them have to drag the gargantuan set piece describing The Clarendon Hotel on and offstage in the last productions, they must be doing cartwheels and hand stands knowing that this is all taken care of by Mr. Jacques. The few pieces of furniture required for this production are whisked on and off with true professional alacrity.

Anna Christy’s ribbon of silk soprano soars magnificently as Baby Doe. Grant Youngblood’s resonant baritone delivers a strong and arrogant Horace. Susan Mentzer was effective in the role of Augusta, but had not yet achieved the fire provided by Joyce Castle, her predecessor in the role. Ms. Mentzer, who has sung in the Met’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” will, one is certain, deliver her own firebrand reading by next weekend. In supporting roles Donald Hartmann sang with exceptional brio as William Jennings Bryan. Sarah Barber’s mezzo soprano is most memorable as Mama McCourt.

Ken Cazan’s direction, which has us viewing the story as scenes flashing before the eyes of the dying Baby Doe, conveys a truly haunting vision of the opera. Conductor Timothy Myers paced the proceedings in such a way that the orchestra below and the singers onstage were in perfect alignment. Sara Jean Tosetti’s costumes are eye-poppers.

Locations: Central City Opera House, Central City, Colorado

For tickets call 303-292-6500 or go online at www.centralcityopera.org

“No Sex Please, We’re British”

Spotlight Theatre Company: 6/25 – 813

 L-R: Christian Mast and Rachel White

The current offering at the John Hand Theatre on Lowry is Alistair Foote’s and Anthony Marriott’s “No Sex Please, We’re British.”

     A close relative to such shows as “Run For Your Wife,” “Caught in the Net” and “Move Over, Mrs. Markham,” it’s the kind of British farce with which the fledgling Spotlight Theatre Company began its journey.

     Now that this troupe is maturing it returns from time to time to revisit this genre of theatre. For us as audience it’s a great pleasure to see the result of the honed skills both in direction and in acting.

     Director Luke Allen Terry has done a superb job in his casting and pacing. The piece de resistance however, is the director’s casting of Christian Mast as Brian Runnicles. Why? Mr. Mast is a comic genius and his twitchy, fidgety hilarious performance will have you grinning from ear to ear all evening long.

     The show begins with an unsolicited package of pornographic literature being delivered to the apartment of newlyweds Frances(Rachel White) and Peter Hunter(Tony Ryan.) Horrified at the contents of the package, they do everything possible to keep anyone from discovering this carton’s contents. The unexpected arrival of Peter’s nosy mother, Eleanor (Ann Myers) complicates the situation exponentially. When it seems that the newlyweds’ struggle to keep up appearances can’t get any worse it gets amped up even more when they enlist Mr. Runnicles, a jittery, high-strung friend from Peter’s workplace to help dispose of them.

    , Kelly Dwyer, Dan Connell, package, wyer, Dan Connell, Randy Diamon and Rachel Whyte and Tony Ryan.es becomes exponentiali     Even the supporting roles in this bright evening of farcical whimsy are filled with actors who relish the play’s silliness. They are: Wade Wood, Susan Rahmsdorff, Kelly Dwyer, Dan Connell and Randy Diamon.Marlowe's Musings

Tickets are $12 - $22

720-530-4596 or online at www.thisisspotlight.com

The John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, CO 80230

Free parking.

INTIMATE APPAREL

VINTAGE THEATRE: JUNE 8 – JULY 10

     Lynn Nottage’s play about Esther, an African American seamstress living in New York City in 1910, is writing that is full of fire. 
     Director Seth Rossman was able to elicit powerful performances from his cast.

      Lisa Young is luminous as Esther. 

      Simone St. John creates a portrayal of Mayme that gives us a vibrant sensual lady of the evening.

    L-R: Cris Davenport and Lisa Young

    Cris Davenport is a dramatic dynamo who simmers slowly at first and builds to create a frightening maelstrom of conflict. 

Left-Right: Lisa Young and Seth Maisel

     Seth Maisel is endearing as a Jewish tailor with whom Esther has an abiding friendship.

    Debbie Faber’s costume design is exceptional. The colorful corsets, bustiers, smoking jackets and robes she has created are stunning.

     There is not a weak link in the cast. 

     Alex Polzin’s well appointed scenic design and Rick Reid’s sound design conspire to place us directly into the world of 1910 New York City. 

     Vintage once again delivers a high quality theatre experience. 

    

Vintage Theatre presents

"Intimate Apparel"

June 3-July 10

A young African-American woman travels to New York to pursue her dreams.

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2:30 p.m.

$24-$30

303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.org

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010