Review: Die Fledermaus in Evanston (Theater Music Works)

Light Opera Works (the Evanston based music theatre group that will soon be changing their name to Theater Music Works) is presenting a great light opera to celebrate the ending of their name/beginning of their new name.  They are presenting Strauss's classic light opera Die Fledermaus (The Bat).

Michael Cavalieri as Eisenstein and
 Alicia Berneche as Rosalinda

Set on New Year's Eve, the play centers around a ballroom, mistaken identity, vengeance, and drinking.  If it were a play it would be a farce (in fact, that's what it was originally, before it got adapted into an opera!)    Plus, there are plenty of classic recognizable songs. (and a 30 piece orchestra!)

As always, Light Opera Works presents some great local and national talent, including Saturday Night Live alum Tim Kazurinsky in the very comic role of the jailer Frosch.  Other performers include Kelly Britt (Adele), Michael Cavalieri (Eisenstein), Alicia Berneche (Rosalinda), William Roberts (Dr. Falke), and Billy Dwyer (Prince Orlofsky).

Tim Kazurinsky as Frosch, the drunken jailer.

Kazurinsky is a standout comic performer in his role as the drunken jailer.  I haven't seen the opera before, but he did some very funny bits which I assume were improvisations.  One particularly funny moment is when he is trying to silence the singing of one of the jailbirds ( who he calls The bluebird of Happiness)  He brings out a gun, he goes off stage, we hear a bang.  He comes back very somberly, and says with his drunken lilt , "I have some terrible news to report... I missed."  He also addresses the conductor, saying that he would leave the gun where he could find it, as he was rehearsing the viola's tomorrow.

All of the voices are great, but a special shoutout must go to Alicia Berneche who played Rosalinda.  She was funny, charming, and had a beautiful voice.  I also really enjoyed the comic stylings of Billy Dwyer as the disaffected and nihilistic Prince Orlofsky. Despite being kind of a nihilist, he was a delight to watch on stage.

One of my companions had seen a version at the Lyric a couple of years ago, and insisted that this production was much funnier and the translation was better.

The show runs approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes with two intermissions.

For more information,including a copy of the program visit: http://www.lightoperaworks.org/Fleder.html

If you are feeling adventurous, or don't have New Year's Eve plans, there's a program to have dinner with the director and the composer on New Year's Eve, which will include a 4 course gourmet meal.  You can attend the dinner even if you don't have tickets for that evening's show.
FIND OUT MORE.

ALL THE DETAILS Monday, December 26, 2016 at 2 pm Wednesday, December 28 at 2 pm Thursday, December 29 at 8 pm Friday, December 30 at 8 pm Saturday, December 31 at 8 pm   (New Year's Eve) Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 2 pm PRICE Tickets start at $34 Age 25 and younger: 1/2 price (suitable for 12 and older) Tickets also by phone: (847) 920-5360 LOCATION Cahn Auditorium 600 Emerson, Evanston, IL

As mentioned above, the theatre is changing its name from Light Opera Works to Theater Music Works to better reflect the diversity of their programming.  That change will take place January 2, 2017.  You can read an article about the name change here.

http://www.clefnotesjournal.com/light-opera-works-changing-name-to-music-theater-works.html

REVIEW: Guys & Dolls at the Light Opera Works CLOSES 1/3/2016

We went yesterday afternoon to see the Light Opera Works show of Guys and Dolls (I previewed the show earlier on the blog).  The show is great, and sadly ends this week, so by all means, if you have the opportunity, you should go!

Light Opera Works is a professional theatre in residence at the Cahn Auditorium on Northwestern's campus.  They produce 4 main shows a year, starting in the summer, and ending in December.  They specialize in musical theater works.  This year their holiday show is Guys and Dolls, next year it will be Die FleiderMaus.  Other shows for next year include My Fair Lady and Mame.  (On a side note, at the curtain speech the executive director said they are looking for a new name for the theatre, and are soliciting suggestions from the public.  If you've got an idea, send it their way!)

Steve Silver (left) as Nathan Detroit betting with Justin Adair
(Sky Masterson)  Nathan couldn't remember the color of his tie.
photo by Mona Luan.

Guys and Dolls is a great and classic musical, with lots of great songs and characters.  I explained the show to my 7 year old son (who saw the show with us) like this:

 Nathan Detroit is a gambler who doesn't have the money to rent a space for his illegal gambling game.  To get the money, he bets his friend Sky Masterson that he can't get a lady who works at a church (Sergeant Sarah) to kiss him.  While Sky is trying to win the bet, he and the lady fall in love.  (It misses a lot of the plot points, but gets the gist across! And manages to avoid the sexual-political mine pits of taking a doll to Havana!)

The show, which featured a full orchestra, was very well-done.  The cast were all in fine form, and all of the main characters had excellent singing voices.  I was particularly enamored of some of the bit players, especially Cary Lovett who played Nicely Nicely Johnson.

Jim Heatherly and Cary Lovett as Benny and Nicely.

 photo by Mona Luan

He had a great stage presence, a wonderful voice, and seemed to be channeling Buddy Hackett.  His revival showstopping piece Sit Down Your Rocking The Boat was great, as was the Fugue for Tin Horns and Guys and Dolls with partner Jim Heatherly as Benny Southstreet.  I also thought that the chorus of dancers and swings did a great job of making 1930's Time Square come to life.

Both of the actors that played Sky and Sarah Brown also did a great job.  Their scenes in Havana and the songs If I were a bell/ My Time of Night both rang true, as did Sky's song "Luck Be A Lady"  One song that was well sung, but is now a little dated was the denouement song "Marry The Man Today"  In it, Adelaide and Sarah get the idea to marry today, and change their husbands tomorrow.

Here's some of the lyrics:

The two sets of lovers:
Sarah & Sky above (Elizabeth Telford/Justin Adair)
Nathan & Adelaide below. (Steve Silver/Sarah Larson)
photo by Mona Luan

Marry the man today.
Trouble though he may be
Much as he likes to play
Crazy and wild and free
Marry the man today
Rather than sigh in sorrow
Marry the man today
And change his ways tomorrow.
Marry the man today.
Marry the man today
Maybe he's leaving town
Don't let him get away
Hurry and track him down
Counterattack him and
Marry the man today
Give him the girlish laughter
Give him your hand today
And save the fist for after.





As I said to my wife at the end of the show, "How'd that work out for you?"  My point being that getting married with the expectation that your partner will change is a 1940's concept.   Now you need to accept your partner for who they are.  And if you don't, divorce is in your future. But that's a quibble.

In short this is a great production of a classic musical, and you will leave humming the classic songs, just like we did.

Go if you can, it closes January 3!

SHOW TIMES:
Sunday, December 27 at 2 pm
Wednesday, December 30 at 2 pm
(Family matinee -- meet the cast after the show)
Thursday, December 31 at 8 pm (New Year's Eve)
Friday, January 1, 2016 at 8 pm
Saturday, January 2 at 8 pm
Sunday, January 3 at 2 pm

Tickets start at $34.  (Ages 21 and younger are 1/2 price!)  They suggest that this show is suitable for kids ages 8 and older.

Production is at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson Street in Evanston.

You can purchase tickets by calling (847) 920-5360 or by visiting their website.

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.light-opera-works.org/Guys.html

Guys and Dolls in Evanston- NOW-January 3

This is late notice, but I just discovered an upcoming show that sounds fabulous, perfect for families, and might fit into your holiday plans:

The Light Opera Works company is performing Broadway classic Guys and Dolls at the Cahn Auditorium now through January 3.

This story, based on iconic Broadway journalist, writer and raconteur Damon Runyon's fantastic set of stories set in Times Square, has lots of classic songs, including "Luck Be a Lady Tonight," "My Time of Night" and "If I Were A Bell."  Like all of their mainstage productions, the show is being produced with a full orchestra.

Light Opera Works is an Evanston-based professional theatre company that specializes in producing musical theater from a variety of world traditions, including opera, Broadway, and revues.  Founded in 1980, they've presented over 100 mainstage productions, many second stage productions, and taught thousands of workshops and classes.  They've also been recognized for excellence many times in local media and press.

This production is directed by the Light Opera Works artistic director.

Sky Masterson & Company.  Photo by Mona Luan.

SHOW TIMES:
Sunday, December 27 at 2 pm
Wednesday, December 30 at 2 pm
(Family matinee -- meet the cast after the show)
Thursday, December 31 at 8 pm (New Year's Eve)
Friday, January 1, 2016 at 8 pm
Saturday, January 2 at 8 pm
Sunday, January 3 at 2 pm

Tickets start at $34.  (Ages 21 and younger are 1/2 price!)  They suggest that this show is suitable for kids ages 8 and older.

Production is at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson Street in Evanston.

You can purchase tickets by calling (847) 920-5360 or by visiting their website.

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.light-opera-works.org/Guys.html