Swenson Opera Gala recital – passion personified

By Burt Saidel

Passion – this is the driving force for life and, especially, the arts.  Last week there were three widely different examples of the power of artistic passion.  They were diverse but all very successful and exciting.

The Dayton Opera Gala recital of soprano Ruth Ann Swenson was passion personified on several levels.  Swenson is one of the world’s best operatic sopranos. She has a vocal fac which is rich, delicate and yet possesses an underlying power.  

I have heard her in several operatic roles and described them in this column.  Two seasons ago, she was a wonderful Rosina in Cincinnati Opera’s “Barber.”  This season she will recreate her Met triumph as Marguerite in their Faust.

As soloist for Dayton Opera’s Star Gala, Ms. Swenson was accompanied by noted pianist Warren Jones.  Jones accompanied Denyce Graves in the first Star Gala in 2003.  

Impresario Tom Bankston’s scheduling of Ms. Swenson was, for a time, in doubt. Last October, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent chemotherapy but, as a passionate artist, never missed a beat.  Her treatments ended only eight weeks ago, yet she has completed a full season of performing in the great houses of the world.

Her recital, an interesting mix of art songs and operatic arias, demonstrated the almost rare qualities of her voice.  In Handel and Bellini arias, she used the artifices of Baroque and bel canto to perfection.  In more familiar works such as Una voce poco fa, Rosina’s great aria from “Barber,” she was cute and devilish.  Her rendition of Mimi’s wonderful farewell aria to Rudolpho from La Boheme had the audience gripping their seats in sympathy.

Of interest, Ms. Swenson never spoke to the audience during the recital. She communicated with her singing and we all got the message.  For her encore, the popular “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, she shed her shoes and became the idealization of Dorothy. 

DAI’s Marilyn Monroe

The passion continued with a most unexpected theater triumph.  The current exhibit at the Dayton Art Institute, Marilyn Monroe, Life as a Legend, is filled with hundreds of images of the iconic beauty.  

As always, the mounting of the show is simply marvelous.  Curator Laine Snyder and preparateur Martin Pleiss have used the galleries to absolute perfection.  I found that the images of Marilyn by famous artists were appealing but photos of her as a woman, almost an innocent girl, were the most ingratiating.

There is a unique aspect to the exhibition.  A one woman show, Marilyn- Forever Blonde, is being presented in the Renaissance Auditorium.  The play was the concept of writer and producer Greg Thompson.  He recreated, using Marilyn’s own words, a stunning realization of the personality and life of the woman behind the icon.  

With some effort, he convinced his wife, Sunny Thompson, to put her career as a singer and actress on the back burner and devote her manifold talents to his play. The result is a complete triumph.  

When I was told that there would be a play associated with the “Marilyn” exhibit, I was hard-pressed to imagine its impact.  Seeing the play unfold the persona of Marilyn Monroe, warts and all, in such a dynamic and inspired manner has made an enthusiastic believer of me and so many who have seen the it.
On the stage, the naturally beautiful Sunny becomes Marilyn.  She poses, dresses, cavorts and wiggles while exposing the insecurities and distress of her pain-filled life as a sex symbol.

The play premiered in Hollywood before the experts, many friends of Marilyn, to raves.  This is the first public run.  From Dayton, it will go to England and Japan before returning to New York.  

This is an absolute “don’t miss.”  Performances are scheduled for Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.  There is a Friday evening performance at 8 p.m. as well.  Call 937 223 4278 for more information but, please, don’t miss this marvelous show.

Dayton Playhouse’s Fiddler on the Roof

The passion continues in a less likely vein.  There is a magic which community theater conveys when everything is right.  Dayton Playhouse is becoming, literally, a “university of theater.”  There is so much going on there that you need a program just to keep up.  

The present main stage production is the familiar Fiddler on the Roof.  Productions of this quaint and lively tale have dotted the theater scene for decades.  What became so special is the passion and enthusiasm of the many volunteer actors, musicians and backstage persons who combined to make their “Fiddler” a paragon of joy and excitement both on stage and in the audience.  

There were features that any theater critic could mention with praise.  The set was kinetic and inventive.  The music, a Klezmer ensemble of real instruments directed by Nancy Perrin, should be hired for every Jewish wedding.

The commitment of the cast members extended to the men having real beards, handsome ones at that.  Marilyn Johnson’s costumes sparkled with authenticity.
The acting, and singing, particularly the strong ensemble vocals were wonderful. There were rough spots but they enhanced the overall charm.  

As Tevye and the long-suffering Golde, Marshall Weiss and Renee Franck-Reed were fabulous.  The entire cast was full of zest and élan.  Chris Harmon, Nate Stevens, Amy Brown, Katelyn Yeager, Charity Farrell and David Williamson deserve extra mention. And last but not least, Oakwood’s own Zoe Papadis is making her stage debut as well.

Community Theatre is alive, creative and wonderful, as Tevye says – “It’s tradition.”

Harman student making stage debut in ‘Fiddler On The Roof’

Zoe Papadis in costume as Bielke with Marshall Weiss, her stage father, Tevye.

Fiddler On The Roof  is now playing at the Dayton Playhouse in the Wegerzyn Garden’s Metro Park.

Zoe Papadis, a fourth grader at Harman Elementary, is making her stage debut at the Dayton Playhouse in Fiddler On The Roof as Bielke, the youngest daughter. Zoe has been loving the experience and has enjoyed all the late night rehearsals and the energy of performing live theatre.  She is grateful to be able to work with such great talent and is learning so much from the cast and the direc tor.  “I love the singing and dancing, but the best part is hanging with my ‘play’ sisters. We really are a family,” said Zoe.

The musical, directed by Brian Sharp, will run Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through May 20.

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May 15, 2007
Volume 16, No. 20

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