When Dallas Opera announced production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein’s venerated, ground-breaking 1927 musical Showboat as part of its 2015-2016 season, it promised both parallel and contrast to their exhilarating premiere of Great Scott from last November (Jake Heggie and Terence McNally’s collaboration that deftly blends opera into American football settings and marries classical … Continue reading
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Criticalrant’s Final “First Choices” of 2015
2015 unfolded as a stunner of a thespian year, from classics to new work, dynamic paradigm-shifters to re-invigorated audience favorites, ensemble achievements to compelling solo work. Youth to senior artists. And music? Glorious music! Performance art in our region thrives with energy, respect, initiative and genuine variety. Dedicated, impassioned creative people form the backbone … Continue reading
GREAT SCOTT! Dallas Opera breaks in baddest Heggie work yet
“This shit is hard!” quips lead mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato in a coy aside to the audience during new American opera Great Scott, now in its premiere engagement at The Dallas Opera through November 15. Seem out of place for opera? It’s a perfectly reasonable comment for the contemporary, hip tone of this dynamic, engaging new … Continue reading
Best on Stage 2010: criticalrant.com
Ten Top Productions: Literary merit. Imaginative staging. Sophisticated direction. Cohesive ensemble performance. Comprehensive technical vision and execution. Delightful, viable realities. Our Town (Water Tower Theatre) August: Osage County (Oklahoma City Repertory Company) Much Ado About Nothing (Trinity Shakespeare Festival) The Dog Problem (Undermain Theatre) Umlauf’s Bicycle (The Ochre House) The 39 Steps (Stage West) Charm … Continue reading
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 