Review: Ohio Light Opera @ Wooster 6/19/10

Ohio Light Opera opens Season with Kismet @ Wooster 6/19/10

One would think that a Broadway-type musical based on the luscious melodies of an established classical composer would be a natural fit for a company that specializes in operettas. If you were one who thought that, you’d be 100% correct!

Kismet was created in the 1950s, mostly from the music of Alexander Borodin, although the gentlemen in charge of the operation–Robert Wright and George Forrest–also contributed two of their own original tunes to the process. Certainly, strong, operatic-type voices are required for this huge production, and Ohio Light Opera abounds in singers with this kind of voice, who can also act and dance! As directed by Artistic Director Steven Daigle, Kismet is another masterpiece in OLO’s ongoing list of such productions.

Contrary to popular notions, the lead romance involves an older couple; he (being the rogue that he is, succeeds in finding his adult daughter’s true love, and cementing that match while also cementing his own.)

The Public Poet, later called Hajj requires a commanding presence on stage: he must be very agile, dance, sing, and have enormous energy, as he’s on-stage for most of the performance. Cory Clines might have been born to play Hajj: he’s tall, dark and handsome, as well as being an excellent actor/dancer. He has a huge voice which he controls very well, whether bellowing, whispering or singing love songs to his inamorata, Lalume, wife of wives to the Wazir. Soprano Raina Thorne leaves no doubt as to her competence at that position, romping around the stage in a gold lame bustier and filmy purple harem pants, her long blonde hair subdued in a long braid. She also sings and dances enticingly.

Lalume’s husband, the Wazir (perhaps chief of police?) is cunningly portrayed by veteran Boyd Mackus, acting like a teen-ager as he cavorts around the stage. Unfortunately, his dirty tricks catch up with him, leaving his gorgeous widow to engage Hajj for an oasis holiday.

The young lovers, winningly portrayed by soprano Chelsea Basler and tenor Drake Dantzler make the most of their lesser roles. They are convincing when together or apart. Their two duets “This is my beloved” and “Baubles, bangles and beads” are delightful, and prove that operatic-type voices make great songs even greater. The quartet version of ‘Beloved’ late in the second act was gorgeously staged and performed.

It would appear that the entire company was on-stage in various costumes and guises for this production, yet everyone moved fluidly without causing over-crowding. Mr. Daigle shares credit with choreographer Carol Hageman for this phenomenon, but I do wish each of the dancers had been better identified and credited. The costumes by Charlene Alexis Gross were nothing short of magnificent! Likewise, the somewhat changeable and very authentic looking scenic design by Kimberly V. Cox was marvelously enhanced by the lighting of Krystal Kennel.

Steven Byess returns this year as principal guest conductor, and the constantly improving OLO orchestra displayed gorgeous musicality at his behest. One of the horn solos was especially beautiful, not to mention the various contributions by the percussion section, which was constantly busy.

All in all, what’s not to like? Gorgeous singing, wonderful acting, brilliant and colorful costumes and fascinating dance. And the musical inspiration of Alexander Borodin. Kismet runs in repertory with six other productions through August 5 at Freedlander Auditorium on the campus of The College of Wooster. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the web-site: http://www.ohiolightopera.com or call 1-330-263-2345.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz, who writes: My most recently published book is Ardenwycke Unveiled (e-book and trade paper). Cerridwen has another contemporary romance from me, But Not For Love, currently available only as an e-book, but perhaps will be in print later this year. I hope to soon get around to completing some of the 30+ incomplete books in my computer!

By the way, Cerridwen has also accepted two of my short stories in their Scintillating Samples (complimentary reads) area: Song of the Swan and Unexpected Comfort. I love photography as well, as you can see here. Occasionally I teach writing workshops and sometimes do editing or ghostwriting on a free-lance basis. But over and above everything else, there’s always been the writing. I can’t imagine my life without it.

And now, after more than a few requests, I’ve started a blog about writing. You can find it here.

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