Production: H.M.S. Pinafore
Company: Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Conductor: Mark Ferrell
Stage Director: William Theisen
Music by: Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by: W.S. Gilbert
Venue: Kansas City, Missouri
Principal Actors: Robert Gibby Brand, Jon-Michael Ball, Ava Pine, Daniel Belcher, Deborah Fields, Matthew Trevino
Date: November 8, 2009

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City follows its season opening of the tragic Tosca with light-hearted fun in staging Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore. No attempt should be made to make sense of the plot. Just enjoy the music, the witty lyrics, and the superb delivery by the cast. My young companion repeatedly questioned the plot after the performance: Why did the Captain and the Sailor automatically change positions just because their identities had been switched when they were babies? How could Buttercup be marrying someone who was young enough to be a baby she nursed? Only the satirical examination of the separations of social and economic class offers any real food for post-performance pondering.

Robert Gibby Brand, baritone, who shown as the Major-General in last spring's staging of The Pirates of Penzance returns in the role of Sir Joseph Porter, glibly informing all of how he became the Ruler of the Queen's Navy in "When I Was a Lad." Daniel Belcher, baritone, presents a delightful Captain Corcoran, displaying comic timing and mugging as well as a good voice. As the young lovers faced with the class difference that stands between them, John-Michael Ball, tenor (Ralph Rackstraw), and Ava Pine, soprano (Josephine, the Captain's daughter) bring lovely voices to the roles, Miss Pine also providing many elements of comedy. Deborah Fields, mezzo-soprano, gives a humorous, lusty Buttercup, and her moments with Belcher, the Captain she not-so-secretly desires, are great fun. As Dick Deadeye, Matthew Trevino, bass, steals every scene he is in, causing particular glee from the audience in his falls overboard.

The chorus of seamen and the aunts, sisters and cousins of Sir Joseph add to the boisterous atmosphere, clearly enunciating Gilbert's oh-so-important words. Everyone on stage appears to be having a good time, and that adds to the audience enjoyment of the production.

The costumes, supplied by Malabar Limited, Toronto, and the set, rented from Tri-Cities Opera Company, Inc., adequately convey the ship and its crew. In fact, they are hardly necessary, since, as in any Gilbert & Sullivan production, all that is really required is a group of beautiful voices clearly and distinctly presenting every clever word and golden note.

Written by :

Deborah

 

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed