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Theater
Review
La
Boheme
LOS
ANGELES, CA - The magic of Broadway and the finesse of Puccini come
together in this stunning production of Baz Luhrmann's La
Boheme. Having premiered on Broadway in 1990, this
dazzling production makes its Los Angeles debut at the Ahmanson
Theatre. Giacomo
Puccini's famous La Boheme is a favorite among
opera audiences, but in Baz Luhrmann's masterful hands, the
story is beautifully re-envisioned to reach out to younger
audiences and to those who rarely, if ever, see
operas.
Baz
is known to popular audiences for directing dazzling films such
as Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge. He brings a kind magic to the
stage that is usually reserved for the big screen.
The singers are enveloped by stunning sets which come to life
under the fine lighting direction of Nigel Levings. The
true essence of Paris is felt: the sparkling night-life
juxtaposed with the dark, cold streets of the city--the same two
worlds of Mimi's life.
The
story is a familiar one to fans of the opera. Rodolfo, an
impoverished young poet and his best friend Marcello, a painter,
live in a cold, damp flat on top of a Paris building.
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Across
the way lives the beautiful, yet frail Mimi who falls in love
with Rodolfo after asking him to light her candle on this snowy
Christmas Eve. Rodolfo's friends, played by Daniel Webb,
Daniel Okultich and Tim Jerome beg him to go out to the Cafe
Momus, a popular night spot on The Left Bank. The
ensemble sequence during the first part of Act I is exquisite.
True to
Baz's vision of casting young players close to the ages of their
characters in Scenes de la Vie de Boheme, the singers are
in their mid-20's but are vocally exceptional. Because of
the vocal demands of the score, the lead players can only
perform their role safely three times a week. Playing the
part of Rodolfo on this
particular evening, David Miller captivated the audience
with his spectacular tenor voice. Together
with his co-star Kelly Kaduce, playing Mimi, they turned up the
heat with their Act I duet.
Watching
the crew transform the set into the streets of Paris for Act II
was quite a sight. All the while the characters were
wondering about the stage waiting for their big crowd
scene. Then the lights came up, the music soared and
suddenly Paris was alive with a fantastic energy. Though
the opera has very few moments for the full cast, their presence
made the production shine.
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Notable
performances were that of Musetta (Chloe Wright), singing the
famous aria of Act II, and the charming chorus of children interspersed
among the action.
The
drama is heightened in Act III, when the estranged Mimi and
Rodolfo discover that pain and loss are destined to be a part of
their love. With Mimi's health failing, they struggle to
hang on to the short time they have together. Having
rekindled his relationship with the fiery Musetta, Marcello
tries to help his friends while facing the jealousy of his own
relationship. Hearing these four glorious voices singing
Puccini's passionate quartet was certainly a highlight of the
evening.
Hats
off to musical director Constantine Kitsopoulos and his
associate conductors. The phrasing and dynamics were
tasteful and true the vision of the composer, and the blend with
the singers was perfect. If you closed your eyes it
sounded
like the recording of any leading opera
company. With the sets and costumes suggesting a more
modern time (1950's), and the up to date English subtitles,
everyone will enjoy this splendid production. The Center
Theatre Group, the Ahmanson Theatre and Baz Luhrmann have
brought life to the "greatest love story ever sung." - Michael Upward
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