FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE

VINTAGE THEATRE: 7/29 – 9/4

 

     Kelly Uhlenhopp and Andrew Uhlenhopp 

(Photo Credit:Christine Fisk/DenverMind Media)

When we meet Frankie and Johnny we’re immersed in darkness. The sounds of love play and orgasmic climax fill the theatre. Once the lights come up we see two people struggling to find a common ground. Johnny is passionately vocal about his confidence that this new connection with Frankie is the mother lode. Frankie on the other hand is more reserved, remembering, and not wishing to repeat experiences involving abuse and rejections in her past.

       Will she cave and allow the birth of the passionately loving relationship that Johnny paints?      

     He wants to secure this night as the first in a long term relationship. She’s more fearful and vulnerable. Her realistic tendencies seem in conflict with his ecstatic and rabidly romantic pursuit.

     What does love mean to each of them? Will cynicism about love win out over habitual loneliness and fear of the allowance of another attempt to connect?

     This fine trio of artists: Kelly Uhlenhopp as Frankie, Andrew Uhlenhopp as Johnny and director Missy Moore have come together to produce an evening with delicious humor and just a dollop of romantic suspense. Johnny weaves a spell around Frankie that one hopes will be irresistible.

     Terrance McNally has written the incantation of a perfect romance. What a dynamic to watch a love be born and wonder if it will last til sunrise. At one point the waitress says to the chef, “I'm a ‘BLT down’ kind of person and you're looking for a ‘pheasant under glass’ sort of person.”

       The aromas of onions and toast as he cooks her a western omelette are enticing just as this evening is.

Vintage Theatre presents

"Frankie and Johnny in Claire de Lune"

July 29 – Sept. 4

A bittersweet comedy traces the unlikely romance between two middle-aged “losers.”

www.vintagetheatre.org

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010

For mature audiences; contains nudity and sexual situations.

Marlowe's Musings

EQUIVOCATION

COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: June 25 through August 6

     Bill Cain’s “Equivocation” is an excellent choice for the roster at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, which this year features plays that in this reviewer’s not so humble opinion were not the Best of the Bard.

     Equivocation is a type of double-speak, which in a roundabout way avoids the crux of the matter while allowing one to seem to be in alignment with the issue. While not completely false, it is also not completely true.

      There were, in the time of Shakespeare great religious persecutions, first of the Catholics and then of the Protestants depending upon the religion du jour. Under Bloody Mary the Protestants were persecuted. Under Elizabeth the Catholics. When James I of Scotland took the throne the Catholics were persecuted again.

     So for people wishing to be among the Faithful of their chosen religion it was sort of a tap dance on quicksand in order to do so and keep one’s head securely fastened to his shoulders.

     If it were not for the lengthy nature of this piece it could be a wonderful contrast to Robert Bolt’s unswervingly ethical piece, “A Man For All Seasons.” Whereas Father Henry Garnett tries to equivocate to remain alive and true to his beliefs, Sir Thomas Moore speaks his Truth plainly in the face of execution.

For those attending this piece it might be well to do a quick refresher course on the politics of the times.

That said, this is a mostly pleasant conundrum to explore on a hot summer night.

     Wendy Franz, one of my favorite directors from the Halcyon days of Paragon Theatre did an admirable job with the direction of Bill Cain’s play.

     The esteemed actor John Hutton, whose elocution takes one’s breath away, is outstanding in the role of Father Henry Garnett. Other stand-outs are Michael Morgan as a shrewd Shag(speare) who became all things to all men as a playwright and Hunter Ringsmith in a surprisingly energized and humorous take on King James the First. Rodney Liczano gives us a limping and duplicitous Sir Robert Cecil that is most memorable.

     The show raises lots of questions about the famous Gunpowder Plot as well as providing us with a well-intentioned if flimsy notion based on scanty evidence about Shakespeare and his relationship to his daughter, Judith.Marlowe's Musings

Location: University Theatre, CU Boulder

For tickets call 303-492-8008 or go online at Coloradoshakes.org

TOSCA

Central City Opera: 7/14 – 8/7

L-R: Jonathan Burton, Alexandra Loutsion and Michael Mayes

Central City Opera’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca” is one of the most exhilarating evenings of Grand Opera in memory.

     All the principals deliver powerful performances in both the singing and the acting. Even the vocals of the political prisoner, Angelloti (Stephen Clark) and the Sacristan (Donald Hartmann) are memorable. (When can one ever remember being able to say that?)

     The top notch cast stars Alexandra Loutsion as the jealous diva, Floria Tosca, Michael Mayes as Baron Scarpia, the most heinous villain in the repertoire, and Jonathan Burton as the unfortunate painter, Cavaradossi. You will remember Mr. Mayes for his outstanding portrayal of Joseph de Rocher, the frightening death row inmate in CCO’s production of "Dead Man Walking"two seasons ago.

     Joachim Schamberger’s excellent stage direction brings the suspense in Act Two to a fever pitch as Scarpia closes in on Tosca. Schamberger, who also did the set and projection design, must receive high praise in these realms as well. Schamberger spent last summer shooting the actual locations for the opera in Europe. Enhanced by David Martin Jacques’ masterful contribution in the lighting design, the result is visual magnificence.

     Jacques uses a technique akin to a wipe in cinematic terms, which gives one the impression of ink spilling over certain projections.  The result heightens the drama even as it corresponds to the breathtaking transitions in Puccini’s score.

     Maestro John Baril conducts the luscious Central City Opera orchestra with such vital potency that the results are breathtaking.

     Susan Memmott Allred’s period costumes, especially those for Ms. Loutsion, are dazzlers.Marlowe's Musings

Locations: Central City Opera House, Central City, Colorado

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