Allison Tkac should be applauded for two things: She assembled an amazing cast of talent for "Burn This" and she directed them in what was the best performance seen in the Basement for quite a while. "Burn This" wasn't just entertaining, it was also moving and emotional - only the best directors can bring out emotion in an audience. Leibling's directorial debut promises much more for her in the future. But an honorable mention should go to Francine Leibling in "Eleemosynary."
The What-Were-They-Thinking? Award:
Randy Kurstin, Matthew Witten and C. Ryan Metzger
These well-intentioned gentlemen attempted to present a musical in Basement Arts - and failed. "Assassins" turned out to be Basement Arts' biggest disappointment of the season because of the lackluster singing performances offered by the assembled cast of BFA acting majors. While trying to recapture the success that last year's "Falsettoland" received, "Assassins" didn't amount to anything more than a few hours of boredom. Maybe this serves as a warning to future directors: Sondheim is not easy. It takes long hours of dedication and rehearsal to even come close to representing his music well.
Most-Enlightening Effects in a University Production:
Lighting Designer Rob Murphy for "Ghosts" Rob Murphy's creative genius allowed us to witness Osvald and Helene Alving's spiritual realization with a bright God-like white light, as well as create the effect of a burning orphanage off-stage.
Best-Performed Aria in Opera Theater Production:
Lisa Nielson
Her performance of the famous Mozart aria "Porgi, amor" in "The Marriage of Figaro" (as Countess Almaviva), introduced University audiences to the powerful talent that Lisa Nielson possesses. This woman should have a fan club.
Best On-Stage Masturbatory Simulation:
Craig McEldowney, in Basement Arts' "WASP"
Enough said.
Unforgettable Performances in University Productions:
Daniel Paradowki, "The Marriage of Figaro;" Heather Dilly, "Pamela;" Jenny Burleson and Joshua Parrott, "Ghosts;" Matthew Schicker, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood;" and Hugo Vera, "The Elixir of Love"
Unforgettable Performances in the Basement:
Laura Heisler and Kelly Gillespie, "Assassins;" Alex Alioto and Matthew Schicker, "Burn This;" Greta Enszer, "Greta's Gourd;" and Mark Gmazel, "Hello Out There"
Unforgettable MUSKET Performances:
Nick Sattinger, "Cabaret;" Matthew Witten, "Jesus Christ Superstar"
Best Concert that Never Happened:
Cecilia Bartoli
Much to the disappointment of many Michigan fans, Ms. Bartoli canceled her third appearance at Hill Auditorium on the day before she was scheduled to perform, blaming that nasty infection called bronchitis. Didn't she just cancel a few months ago with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City? Divas ... divas ... divas ... .
Willian Gustafson and Hiroko Sasagawa star in the University's production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," which got "Best Unforgettable Performance."
04-17-97
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |