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Victor Cordell

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  • Un Ballo in Maschera Front Page

    San Franciso Opera's Outstanding Production

    By: Victor Cordell - Sep 13th, 2024

    In this opera drawn from history, Sweden's Gustavus III loves Amelia, the wife of his friend and ally Renato. When the husband finds out, he joins assassin conspirators from the disaffected nobility. This Verdi masterpiece, replete with dramatic music, is given the finest treatment by accomplished principals and creative staging designers.

  • The Prom Front Page

    Musical About Sexual Discrimination in High School

    By: Victor Cordell - Sep 10th, 2024

    Four New York theater performers hope to attract attention for what they purport to be the selfless act of inducing an Indiana high school to reverse the cancellation of its prom because a lesbian student planned to attend with a girlfriend as her date. Based on a true story, the visitors encounter unexpected headwinds. Despite notes of pathos and bitterness, a joyous tone prevails, and the play ends on a hopeful note.

  • Young Frankenstein Front Page

    Mel Brooks' Musical at Sonoma Arts Live

    By: Victor Cordell - Sep 08th, 2024

    Dr. Frederick Frankenstein returns to Transylvania and hopes to improve on his grandfather's flawed creation - "The Monster." He succeeds in producing a new and improved monster but must deal with many zany characters and complications along the way.

  • Human Error Front Page

    Town Hall's Humorous Look at IVF, Medical Error, and Politics of Division

    By: Victor Cordell - Sep 01st, 2024

    When a liberal couple learns that their embryo stored at a laboratory has been mistakenly implanted in a conservative Christian wife, the two couples meet to try to resolve the catastrophe. The story follows the bumps along the way for the following nine months, finding a highly entertaining balance between humor and conflict.

  • 4 Guys Named Named José...and Una Mujer Named Maria Front Page

    A Latin American Jukebox Musical at 6th Street Playhouse

    By: Victor Cordell - Sep 01st, 2024

    Four young men from different Latin American heritages meet in Omaha, Nebraska. When joined by a young woman, Maria, song breaks out. The plot is superficial, but the song and dance will arouse feelings of nostalgia for those familiar with the music of the region.

  • The NIght Alive Front Page

    Dark Comic Drama of Life on the Fringe in Dublin

    By: Victor Cordell - Aug 25th, 2024

    Tommy and Doc exist on the outside fringe of Irish society. When Tommy saves streetwalker Aimee from a beating by her ex-boyfriend and takes her in to recover from her injuries, new problems follow. Playwright Conor McPherson explores the survivalist lives of Dublin's underbelly, full of challenge but with occasional redemption.

  • Der Rosenkavalier Front Page

    Santa Fe Opera's Delightful Strauss/von Hofmannsthal Comic Opera

    By: Victor Cordell - Aug 17th, 2024

    Impoverished Baron Ochs wishes to marry Sophie, from a nouveau riche family. Through Ochs' cousin The Marschallin, young noble Octavian agrees to present the customary silver rose to the intended bride. But alignments of romance and convenience shift in this thoughtful comedy that is Strauss's most endearing work.

  • The Elixir of Love Front Page

    Donizetti's Frothy Comedy at Santa Fe Opera

    By: Victor Cordell - Aug 15th, 2024

    Poor Nemorino loves rich Adina. We know how those stories go. Nemorino is aided by a placebo. Snake oil salesman Dulcamara has sold him a potion to make him irresistible to Adina. In the end, the hero inherits a fortune, which makes him irresistible to every girl on the planet.

  • The Righteous Front Page

    Outstanding World Premiere Commission from Santa Fe Opera

    By: Victor Cordell - Aug 14th, 2024

    David's life is traced from caring high school friend to pastor committed to good works to politician whose goal is to satisfy constituents rather than his soul and the people closest to him. Along the way, he compromises his own morality and ultimately questions the path he has taken. Many issues of evangelical Christianity and the 1980s surface in this compelling new opera.

  • Legend of the Ring Front Page

    West Edge Opera Produces Wagner's Condensed Ring Cycle for a Third Time

    By: Victor Cordell - Aug 06th, 2024

    In four operas and over 15 hours of running time, Richard Wagner's epic Ring Cycle spins historic Germanic legends embellished by the composer's own fancy. David Seaman edited the compendium into a 3 1/2hour condensation. The flavor of Wagner's rich romantic music is retained, but while the general plotline is honored, it is jumpy and loses some continuity. Nonetheless, this piece gives a strong flavor of the highly respected yet controversial body of work.

  • Bulrusher - The Opera Front Page

    World Premiere Pulitzer Finalist Play by West Edge Opera

    By: Victor Cordell - Aug 05th, 2024

    A black female foundling with a gift for telepathy is becoming a woman. Her world of isolation in a white, northern California town is pierced by the arrival of another young black woman from Alabama. Multiple conflicts ensue among the diverse characters. The lush music appeals and performances are first rate.

  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame Front Page

    Victor Hugo's Masterpiece Works Well as a Stage Musical

    By: Victor Cordell - Jul 29th, 2024

    The deformed hunchback Quasimodo has suffered a life of abuse and isolation as the cathedral bell ringer. When he has the chance to interact with other people, he endures scorn from many, but the beautiful Roma girl Esméralda is kind. Quasimodo's cruel guardian Frollo, the Deacon of the Cathedral, who despises the Roma but is smitten by Esméralda, intercedes with unhappy consequences.

  • The Best of The Second City Front Page

    Residency at Berkeley Rep for Storied Improv Troupe

    By: Victor Cordell - Jul 19th, 2024

    The vaunted Chicago-based troupe performs sketches, quick-hitters, and enough improvisation to display their fast reaction chops. Old skits are updated, and enough local references are integrated for the production to feel home grown. The cast of six operates black-box fashion, effectively and entertainingly employing mime to represent invisible props.

  • Accused! Front Page

    The Victorian Ladies Detective Collective Trilogy is Complete With a Case Involving Terrorism

    By: Victor Cordell - Jul 15th, 2024

    London is under threat. One woman has been murdered and another killed in a bombing, with anarchists being implicated. Three intrepid female sleuths find evidence that suggests otherwise. Patricia Milton's script is literate and replete with revelations about social and political issues of the day.

  • La Voix Humaine and Dido & Aeneas Front Page

    Festival Opera Fine Production of Divergent Works

    By: Victor Cordell - Jul 14th, 2024

    Carrie Hennessey gives a sterling performance in the Francis Poulenc work, "La Voix Humaine," as a woman who talks to her lover on the phone while learning that she is losing him. Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas" is given a fine treatment as well, led by the chorus and orchestra.

  • Mongolia Travelog Front Page

    Distant, Exotic, and Exciting

    By: Victor Cordell - Jul 07th, 2024

    A nine-day tour reveals a complex and contrasting country geographically and politically. Diet, weather, and many cultural norms are extreme. Although on-the-ground costs can be quite reasonable, organized tours which tend to be expensive are highly recommended. It is a rewarding journey for the experienced and inquisitive traveler.

  • The Lifespan of a Fact Front Page

    Do Facts Constitute Truth? Is Truth Objective and Unassailable?

    By: Victor Cordell - Jul 06th, 2024

    In this account of a true story, essayist John D'Agata wrote a piece about the suicide of Levi Pressley who jumped from the top of Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. Fact checking showed that D'Agata fabricated numerous but inconsequential details for the sake of style. The philosophical differences between the author and the fact checker provoke a thoughtful consideration of what constitutes truth. It's more complex than you might think.

  • Evita Front Page

    Rags to Riches and Glamor Foreshortened

    By: Victor Cordell - Jul 04th, 2024

    In this Weber/Rice musical biography, the charismatic and adulated Eva Peron insinuates herself into the highest level of Argentinian politics while in her 20s. Deploying an unusual device, an activist narrator, Che, skulks about and cynically undermines the public face of the title character.

  • Seeing Stars Front Page

    Steve Budd's Personal Memoir at The Marsh Berkeley

    By: Victor Cordell - Jun 18th, 2024

    Most people are unaware of the dedication and sacrifices that actors make to pursue their passion. In this brief insight, we learn of the struggles of one man to put bread on the table while seeking the limelight. We also learn of mental health issues that have plagued his family.

  • Being Alive - A Sondheim Celebration Front Page

    TheatreWorks Bright World Premiere Revue of Sondheim Love Songs

    By: Victor Cordell - Jun 11th, 2024

    Now that Stephen Sondheim has passed, this poignant collection of 36 songs is the first revue to span his whole life of works, from towering anthems to obscure hidden gems. Performed by an ensemble of six as a run through followed by a dress rehearsal with little additional commentary, it lets the songs do the telling.

  • Innocence Front Page

    San Francisco Opera's Chilling Modern Masterpiece

    By: Victor Cordell - Jun 09th, 2024

    Kaija Saariaho's last opera leaves a lasting impression. An ominous score supports a nerve-wracking story told in two time frames. A teenage shooter in Finland murders a number of his schoolmates. Ten years on, the perpetrator's brother is marrying a bride from Romania who does not know the connection. However, the waitress at the wedding reception dinner, whose daughter was a victim, recognizes the groom.

  • Doubt, a Parable at Altarena Playhouse Front Page

    A Chilling Allegory of Injury Caused by Faith

    By: Victor Cordell - Jun 02nd, 2024

    Middle school principal Sister Aloysius possesses unerring certitude concerning her faith. Father Flynn's appearances and actions trigger the nun's belief that he has had inappropriate contact with young boys. Her unproven allegations prove damaging.

  • The Magic Flute at San Francisco Opera Front Page

    A Fairy Tale About Love and Aspiration

    By: Victor Cordell - May 31st, 2024

    Tamino falls in love with Pamina's picture and runs the gauntlet in order to meet and marry her. His sidekick Papageno also seeks marriage but lacks the courage to confront the challenges before him. Both will succeed, but one more than the other.

  • The Lehman Trilogy at ACT Front Page

    From Immigrant Family to Wall Street Tycoons

    By: Victor Cordell - May 30th, 2024

    Upon Henry Lehman's immigration to the U.S., he peddles textiles in Alabama. The result of the ingenuity of Henry and later family members is one of the great investment banking firms in the country. Long after the family has exited, the firm's failure represents one of the signal episodes in the financial collapse of 2008.

  • Cabaret at Lesher Center for the Arts Front Page

    Hedonism and Persecution in Between the Wars Germany

    By: Victor Cordell - May 29th, 2024

    English nightclub entertainer Sally Bowles lives on the edges of society in the hedonism of Berlin during the Weimar years. Aspiring novelist Cliff Bradshaw alights from America and becomes both Sally's lover and her mark. This dark musical also explores the rise of Naziism through a young convert and the relationship of an elderly couple, one of whom is Jewish.

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