A Great, but Too Overrated

I recently saw the show In the Heights at the Richard Rogers theater. The show was a overall success and a good night at the theater. I do not, believe, that it should be the show with the top nominations for the 2008 Tony Awards. In the Heights, set in Washington Heights, New York, is a show about a bodega worker, Usnavi. The show explores three days in the life of Usnavi. The role of Usnavi is played by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Mr. Miranda also wrote the music, lyrics, and some of the book. What really intrigues me is that this show originated as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s senior project. 

Though the role of Usnavi is the technical main character, there are other characters that definitely have the same size part. In the Heights is created into four main sub plots that interchange with each other. The role of Usnavi’s girlfriend is Vanessa. The night that I went, Vanessa was sick. Her understudy, as I’ve heard from people who have seen the show, did not have as good a voice and did not have the same stage presence. I feel as the understudy detracted from the success of the show. She was definitely the weakest link in a very talented cast. 

 Instead of taking very well-known broadway stars, the production took many  newcomers. Over all the show was a success, though the publicity is a bit overrated.

 

King Arthur…A Royal Disaster

So today I had the misfortune of seeing a dress rehearsal of King Arthur (at the New York City Opera). It was not even an opera. It was practically a ballet with singing. The costumes (by fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi) were a disaster and an eye-sore to look at. The over-flamboyant director/choreographer, Mark Morris, showed that he belongs in less prestigous venues. He even left a stupendous directors note littered with gramatical mistakes and horrible word choices. The note follows:King Arthur is here presented as a pageant–a sort of vaudeville–a sequence of production numbers scared and profane, small and large, sad and happy, sung and danced. I chose to discard the spoken text (which I don’t like) and keep all of the music (which I do). The setting is the stage. The time is now. The performers are themselves. The production had no story line. The production must have had a low budget because the scenery was scarce and their was apparently not a diction coach. Even though the Opera was in English, I had to read the sub-titles. The conductor, Ms. Jane Glover, looked as if she could not control the musicians, let alone the singers. At the end, Mark Morris demanded that the polite audience (because they hated the Opera) give him a bigger round of applause.Stupidly the City Opera put King Arthur as their “big production” this half-season and is starting the half-season with a huge gala including the Opera. I just hope that this is not the first step by the new general manager, Gerard Mortier. If this production was chosen by him, it shows that he is not serious about opera and is trying to make the company look the same. I just hope this is the last satirical, and flat out stupid production this season. It would be horrible for the New York City Opera to end on such a bad note, given that next year they will not be performing due to construction.  What are your thoughts? 

Just In!

The Opera will be performing at the Time Warner Center at different times thoughout the year!! What do you think about that?

Ballet is cleared…but not the Opera

In the NY-Times yesterday, their was an article pertaining to the Ballet and the Opera. The article said that the Opera will be practically “homeless” for the 2008-09 Season!!! But the Ballet can proceed. This is happening because the whole theater is going through a renovation process. But the renovation will seise for the Ballet season; hence only conflicting with the Opera. The Opera will be performing in smaller venues, but will lose a lot of money! The reconstruction does not even call for a temporary acoustic enhancer for the Opera season. As many people know, the theater was not built for opera and the acoustics are HORRIBLE! Please feel free to write what you think about this! THANKS!