It's over...for this year anyway...
With the final matinee performance of Porgy and Bess this afternoon, Union Avenue Opera's summer season comes to a close. Friday and Saturday night were sold out, and potential customers had to be turned away... then for today's final performance, the house was once again sold out, and extra chairs were set up for overflow customers the company couldn't bear to turn away. That's hot! I think the crowds exceeded Turandot.
Overall, Porgy has been a success in my mind. However, it's a bittersweet one...and I am afraid I cannot divulge exactly why. All I can say is that some circumstances with this production have affected next season's line up. Massenet's Werther, originally planned for next year's season, is to be replaced with another french opera. For fun, here's a few hints, and I'll let you figure them out:
hint #1 - it's a blockbuster piece (or warhorse, depending on your view)
hint #2 - its composer died after its 31st performance
hint #3 - Leontyne Price, though not a mezzo, once recorded the female lead
blatant hint #1 - it shares with The Pearl Fishers a very small, but memorable operatic legacy
Have fun figuring it out. I'm glad to see opera season come to an end. There's so much to focus on now, including work, finding that new place, restarting the church job, and looking for auditions...
...which brings me to New Line Theatre's March '08 production of Assassins. I really wanna audition for John Hinckley. Seriously...but I just don't know if it will be worth my time. UAO has spoiled me with its fast, (normally) efficient rehearsal periods. New Line has a reputation of taking WEEKS to put a show togethere. Is that worth my time??