Through 8/8
If you think Kurt Weill wrote only for symphony orchestra or opera — wow! Do you have a sweet surprise in store for you. That is, providing you go to Ohio Light Opera company’s magical production of One Touch of Venus. It’s a sweet, tuneful romantic comedy of the very best kind, as well as a fabulous example of Broadway’s Golden Era.
Set as it is in 1940s New York, your ears will perk up at the beginning musical numbers which include some bebop, some jazz and some fine jitterbug dancing. The famous and very wealthy art collector Whitelaw Savory is teaching a class on modern art in his studio while awaiting the arrival of an ancient statue. When it arrives, carefully boxed up, he ignores the class while gaining access to his studio. As he is otherwise occupied, this is where the jitterbugging sets in, and soon enough, with a flash of lightning, the statue is visible.
It is the gorgeous Goddess of Love, Venus herself. When Savory’s barber Rodney comes in to shave him, the barber cannot resist the urge to slip the engagement ring he has just purchased for his fiancée on the finger of the statue. More lightning, and Venus is now very real and very beautiful. She immediately falls in love with Rodney, and the chase is on. He tries to resist her, but this is clearly an impossible task.
When, later on, he takes her to the new suburban development of Ozone Park (in Staten Island!) and illustrates her future home, she quickly realizes this is not for her. Reluctantly, she gives him back the ring and is once again a statue.
To be sure, there’s lots more than that, but you get the idea, I’m sure. You will surely have heard two of the biggest song hits of this musical (unless you’ve been living on the planet Venus, that is): “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” and “Speak Low,” both sung beautifully in this production by the gorgeous and sparkling Sarah Best. Another added twist by the composer: he did his own arrangements, and they clearly show the talent of a first rate classically trained composer.
The wonderfully witty and sassy lyrics were composed by the poet Ogden Nash, and he partnered with S. J. Perelman on the book. It’s definitely a cut above. There are also two ballets in the score, and in the original Broadway production, the choreography was by Agnes de Mille. Stage direction then was by a younger Elia Kazan, while Maurice Abravanel was the music director. In the current OLO production, choreography is by Carol Hageman, while Steven Daigle is the stage director, and Steven Byess conducts the marvelous orchestra. The very attractive, period-perfect and colorful costumes are by Stephanie Genda. The versatile set pieces were designed by Daniel Hobbs and the marvelous lighting and lightning by Erich Keil.
Baritone Brad Baron is a nattily dressed, slightly stuffed shirt as Savory, while tenor Benjamin Krumreig hits both ends of the emotional scale — from the local sadsack to the bouncy, ebullient newly-engaged barber. His blonde fiancée Gloria Kramer is ditzily performed by soprano Gretchen Windt. Sandra Ross is excellent as her high-society Mama. Savory’s secretary Molly is in the capable hands and feet of Hannah Kurth. Of course, being a true ensemble piece, most of the non-principals are kept very busy, some of them playing three different parts!
This is absolutely a not-to-be-missed type of performance. It may not be visible in our area again for some time, unless OLO decides to revive it. We can but hope.
One Touch of Venus runs in repertory at Ohio Light Opera through August 8. For ticket information, visit the Ohio Light Opera website call the box office at 330.263.2345.
For an additional treat, toread more about and hear clips of some of the music for each of the scheduled shows, go here.
[Photo by Lauren Brown]
[Written by Kelly Ferjutz]Wooster, OH 44691