Kirsten Wyatt (Elly Mae), John Bolton (Frank Schultz), Bill Irwin (Captain Andy), Heidi Stober (Magnolia Hawks), Michael Todd Simpson (Gaylord Ravenal),
SHOW BOAT: Musical. Music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; based on the novel “Show Boat” by Edna Ferber, performed by San Francisco Opera
@ War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. 415-864-3330 or www.sfopera.com Through July 2, 2014. (Co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, and Houston Grand Opera)
A glorious spectacular Show Boat at the SF Opera House [rating:5]
San Francisco Opera’s summer season opens with a glorious production of Show Boat the musical that first took Broadway, and the country, by storm when it opened in 1927 ushering a new era for musical comedy. Since that time there have been a number of revisions of the original score and lyrics and SF Opera under Francesca Zambello’s accomplished direction have elected to stay as close to the original score although they have accepted some additions and changes. The 70 member cast includes two choruses, one black, one white allowing Michele Lynch to display her choreographic skills. They dance up a storm and sing with equal vivacity. All this happens on dazzling sets (Peter J. Davison) with the cast dressed in period costumes (Paul Tazewell) in all the rainbow colors with red being most dominant.
The raves about the production values are well earned. The cast is a combination of Broadway types and opera performers.There have been some complaints that Show Boat is not deserving of the San Francisco Opera stage. They are totally wrong. The mixture is complimentary in all aspects from the Broadway performers to opera singers.
The Broadway types playing major roles includes first and foremost Bill Irwin (Captain Andy) and alphabetically, James Asher (Pete/Emcee), Kevin Blackton (Sheriff/Maitre d’), John Bolton (Frank Schultz), Harriet Harris (Parthy Hawks), Sharon McNight (Mrs. O’Brien) and Kirsten Wyatt (Elly Mae). From the Opera world there is Heidi Stober (Magnolia Hawks), Patricia Racette (Juilie LaVerne), Michael Todd Simpson (Gaylord Ravenal), Angela Renee Simpson (Queenie), Morris Robison (Joe).
The Opera contingent earn most of the accolades beginning with Morris Robison’s strong basso voice ‘toting that bale on the Mississippi’ with his powerful rendition of “Ol’ Man River” that he reprises in Act II. Heidi Stober’s lyric soprano voice perfectly nuances the lovely “Make Believe”, “You Are Love” and “Why Do I Love You?” that is a perfect match for the expressive baritone of Michael Todd Simpson in their duets. She has a ball with “After the Ball is Over” sung in swing time during the New Year’s Eve Trocodaro scene.
Patricia Racette grabs your heart with her rendition of “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” in Act I and has many of the audience in tears with the emotional “Bill.” Angela Renee Simpson radiates warmth and comedic ability with “Queeie’s Bally-Hoo” and great dramatic depth with “Mis’ry’s Comin’ Aroun’.”
Limber limbed Bill Irwin is a joy to watch with his perfect timing of his humorous lines and unbelievably great in the scene where he is a one man dynamo playing all the parts in the unfinished melodrama that was interrupted by a show boat audience member. His performance in the Captain Andy role has touch of Joe E. Brown who played the role in the 1951 movie. Harriet Harris’ as his disapproving wife Parthy is an ideal foil for his shenanigans. Kirsten Wyatt and John Bolton have the right touch of humor an rancor to add to their terrific dancing with backup from the ensemble chorus. (Elly Mae).
The evening is an unqualified success with one caveat that the second act, that takes place over a 10 year span, seems a bit contrived. If that is a fault, the SF Opera’s total production makes it a moot complaint. Running time 2 hours and 45 minutes with a 25 minute intermission.
Major Cast: Patrick Cummings, Steve Baker; Bill Irwin, Cap’n Andy Hawks; Morris Robinson, Joe; Harriet Harris, Parthy Ann Hawks; Kirsten Wyatt, Ellie Mae Chipley; John Bolton, Frank Schultz; Patricia Racette, Julie La Verne; Heidi Stober, Magnolia Hawks; Michael Todd Simpson, Gaylord Ravenal; Kevin Biackton, Sheriff Vallon; Carmen Steele, Young Kim; Sharon McNight, Mrs. O’Brien
Production Staff: Conductor John DeMain; Director Francesca Zambello; Choreographer Michele Lynch; Set Designer Peter J. Davison; Costume Designer Paul Tazewell; Lighting Designer Mark McCullough; Chorus Director Ian Robertson; Associate Director E. Loren Meeker; Sound Designer Tod Nixon; Dance Master Lawrence Pech; Fight Director Dave Maier; Assistant Conductor Joseph Marcheso; Stage Manager Darin Burnett; Costume Supervisor Jai Alltizer; Wig and Makeup Designer Gerd Mairandres.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com
