VLO returns to Gilbert and Sullivan

By CLIFTON J. NOBLE JR.
Music writer

AMHERST - "The Gondoliers" has never looked so good!

The curtain rose to applause and cheers on Valley Light Opera's 31st-year production of Gilbert and Sullivan's 12th operetta, revealing gloriously painted and appointed sets and an opulent rainbow of costumes.

Directed by Mary Jane Disco with musical direction and conducting by David Kidwell, choreographed by Graham Christian, with costumes designed by Richard Gregory and sets designed by Chris Riddle and Linda Stark and realized by a skilled and devoted crew of VLO volunteers, "The Gondoliers" returned the company's focus to the G&S repertoire on which it was founded, after last season's detour into Lehar territory with "The Merry Widow."

Disco, formerly Mary Jane Schulze, is a VLO stalwart, both on and off stage. Her portrayal of The Lady Jane in the company's 1998 production of "Patience" still stands as one of the finest, funniest performances this reviewer has chronicled.

Having played the Duchess in VLO's 1980 "Gondoliers" and produced its revival in 1992, Disco crafted her shapely and detailed interpretation of the current production from a position of familiarity and affection.

Poking fun at class structure has been a British creative pastime from Shakespeare to Dickens to Woodhouse to Waugh. No one did it better than Gilbert and Sullivan, and "Gondoliers" offers a shining example. The topsy-turvy, across-the-board equality of rank in the play's fictional republic of Barataria echoes Gilbert's own decision to write no "star" parts in the libretto, since all his "star" actors were demanding increases in salary (according to Disco's illuminating program notes). The "Prince and the Pauper"-style plot twists that ensue exemplify G&S's skill at jovially bursting blue-blooded balloons.

Graham Christian and Louise Krieger tickled our funny bones as the pompous Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro and Elaine Craine charmed as their daughter Casilda.

Theodore Blaisdell and VLO veteran Matthew Roehrig (appearing in his 22nd role with the company) cut splendid figures as Gondoliers Marco and Giuseppe, while Mary Annarella and Nichole Provencal turned in sweet singing as their wives Gianetta and Tessa. The comic content was furthered by John Healy as Luiz, the ducal attendant, and Ken Moore as the Grand Inquisitor.

Apart from opening night miscues in the intricately woven choreography, one damaged boat, and an unfortunate fire alarm that evacuated audience, cast, orchestra, and crew into the cold November night between Acts (Coordinating Producer Jacqueline Haney Kidwell quipped that we might treat the hiatus as the passage of three months noted in Gilbert's libretto), few hitches occurred in the production.

Regrettably, a high percentage of clever lyrics were under-enunciated or insufficiently projected to exert their full comic effect. Best in the diction department were Roehrig, Blaisdell, Krieger, and Provencal.

The numbers "Rising Early in the Morning," "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes," and "On the Day When I Was Wedded" were particularly crisp.

The best music-making of the evening occurred in the ensemble "In a Contemplative Fashion," in which conductor Kidwell's instinct to mold dynamics was wed to clever directorial use of space and sparse but telling choreography to create a compelling set piece.

The enthusiastic, brilliantly attired chorus threw themselves energetically into dancing (and singing) the "Cachuca" (as well, according to Gilbert's lyrics, as the fandango and bolero, but who's counting?). Kidwell balanced orchestra and singers masterfully and paced the performance in efficient and entertaining fashion.

Attentive audience ears and eyes at successive performances will catch Disco's peppering of the show with requisite anachronisms and "in" jokes. VLO's conviction, commitment and delight in their endeavor shines through the 2006 "Gondoliers," which repeats next Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Amherst High School auditorium.

For information or to order tickets, go to www.vlo.org or call (413) 259-3065.

©2006 All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.

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