NINE OUT OF TEN

Manhattan School of Music Summer Voice Festival--the cast of "NINE"

Winner of 5 Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1982, Nine stared Raul Julia and was directed by Tommy Tune.  It was born in a workshop in 1973, birthed by Maury Yeston who was ultimately responsible for the clever lyrics and tuneful music.  The book was written by Arthur Kopit.  The show was revived in 2003 with Antonio Banderas in the title role.

The book is based on the Federico Fellini film 8 1/2, a semi-autobiographical account of the midlife crisis of a famous Italian film director who has signed a contract for a film and is suffering from a dearth of ideas.  He is quite the womanizer and his marriage is consequently suffering.

Because of the dozens of roles for women this seemed to be a good choice for MSM's Summer Voice Festival, co-directed by Neil Rosenshein and Elizabeth Young.  The young performers appear to have put a lot of work into the production which was wonderful light summer entertainment.  Happily, one could hear natural healthy young voices unamplified, a great advantage and much to our liking.

The show was beautifully directed by the talented Bill Fabris who negotiated the melding of reality, memory, dream and fantasy; likewise he provided the simple but effective choreography.  The only set elements were a podium from which the lead Guido Contini, in the stunning opening scene, conducts the voices of the women in his life.  There was a sparkly rear-curtain as backdrop and some evocative lighting by Evan Roby.  Appropriate period (1960's) costumes were by Colleen Durham.

Musical Direction was by Dan Gettinger who played the piano score, augmented by percussion, drums and harp.  And what music he made!  The standout number was "A Man Like You/Unusual Way" a duet for Guido (Robert Erlichmann) and his muse Claudia (Samantha Williams).  "Ti Voglio Bene/Be Italian" was nicely sung by Lieke van den Broek as Sarraghina.

"The Script/Folies Bergeres" allowed Alexandra Clint to shine as Lilliane La Fleur.  Erica Reynolds as Luisa, Guido's wife, was convincing in "My Husband Makes Movies".  As Carla, Guido's mistress, Viktoria Falcone had a sexy number "A Call from the Vatican", which brought down the house.  Hannah DeBlock portrayed Guido's mother and Brenna Feeney portrayed Our Lady of the Spa; she was the only character not costumed in black but rather in a stunning white classical garment.

Admittedly, there is no one around like Raul Julia and Antonio Banderas; but we wished Mr. Erlichmann had put a little more oomph into Guido's character; although he is in crisis we needed to see something of the charm underneath that would have made all these women fall under his spell and made us in the audience care about him.

We also wanted more vocal projection from the entire cast.  The lyrics to those marvelous songs deserved better diction.

Next Monday and Tuesday there will be further performances and we are confident that you will enjoy yourself.  Some of the roles are double-cast but the music will be the same!

© meche kroop

INTO THE WOODS

Curtain Call at Manhattan School of Music

Some impressive young performers led us into the woods and out again in a thoroughly delightful performance of Stephen Sondheim's 1986 musical Into the Woods.  The performance is part of Manhattan School of Music's Summer Voice Festival.  Is it possible that this cast, in only six weeks, put together an evening that rivals the original performance on Broadway and the one produced by Shakespeare in the Park last summer?  It is!  In place of famous stars we had fresh young voices; in place of lavish scenery and costumes we had giant helpings of imagination.  Much credit goes to Director Bill Fabris and to Musical Director Dan Gettinger who accompanied on the piano, augmented by a fine string quartet and a percussionist, in an arrangement that permitted the voices to be heard without deafening amplification; anyone who visits here regularly knows how we feel about that curse.

The work itself is a mashup of the fairy tales we all heard as children, with all their terrifying elements intact-- and some added by James Lapine in his highly original book.  These characters have all-too-human qualities and therefore we can identify and accept their philosophical life lessons.  Everyone wishes for something; but those that get their wishes in Act I are dissatisfied in Act II.  Everyone must deal with risk, with disappointment, with loss, with failure to accept responsibility, with egregious misjudgments and the lessons learned thereby.

All of the performances were admirable but a few were outstanding.  We were struck by Cameron Johnson's Wolf who went from seductive to frightening at the drop of a hat.  We were totally won over by Elora Ledger's Cinderella; her voice is beautifully affecting and her acting convincing.  Likewise The Baker's Wife, portrayed by Lieke van den Brock, who must fight to win parity with the Baker (a fine Andy Zimmerman).

McKenzie Custin garnered many laughs as the not-so-innocent Little Red Riding Hood and Kendrick Pifer excelled as the Witch who undergoes quite a transformation.  Jack (Jody Hinkley) played the dolt to the exasperation of his mother (Rachel Sandler).  Cinderella's Stepmother (Amanda Levy) had some fine moments with the two Stepsisters (Allison Crain and Alex Cummings).  Cinderella's deceased mother was beautifully sung by Kyle McCormick and Perry Lines was fine as Rapunzel.

In an intimate space without electronic interference, we in the audience could tell who was speaking/singing and actually understand the clever words.  Only the narrator could not be well understood all the time.

The set was simple: three wooden panels on wheels, painted to represent the woods on one side, and on the other sides, Cinderella's hearth, Jack's house, and the Baker's kitchen.  Everyone wore variations on pajamas and robes which, strangely enough, worked really well.  Sandy Siu is credited with Costume Coordination.

We hear that a film of the show has been cast with Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.  But we don't advise you to wait!  The performance at MSM will be repeated Monday and Thursday at 7:30 and again next Saturday at 2:30.  We don't think there is another show in town that will entertain you as royally!

© meche kroop