January 20, 2025 By Palm Beach Arts Paper
By Robert Croan
This month, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra attempted one of its most ambitious projects to date — a semi-staged concert version of Leonard Bernstein’s 1956 operetta Candide — and came through with flying colors.
The local performances (seen in Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater on Jan. 16) were staged with endless creativity by Dan Wallace Miller, using minimal sets (by Michael Miles) and colorful costumes — production elements overseen by former Florida Grand Opera director Susan T. Danis. The complex musical realization, with a first-rate cast led by SFSO music director Sebrina Maria Alfonso, was no less praiseworthy...
...David Walton...sang throughout with a sharp-toned, open tenor that projected his words clearly. He transitioned to the experienced Candide with pathos and sincerity in his serious soliloquies...
...If Cunegonde was modeled on the diva of all divas, the role of The Old Lady, multi-ravished and missing one buttock, is the prototype of the Gilbert and Sullivan contralto, Little Buttercup and Katisha on steroids. The deep tones and seasoned deep comic proficiencies of Alissa Anderson filled the bill to a T, making her solo turn, “I am Easily Assimilated,” a second highlight of the evening...
...The catalyst of all the action is the multiple part of Narrator, Dr. Pangloss (Candide’s teacher) and Voltaire himself, created for an actor (Max Adrian) who did not have classical vocal training. The present protagonist, Jason Zacher, had real vocal training, a resonant baritone voice, acting skills to burn, and most important, an alluring persona that dominated the stage every moment he was on...
...Lisa Marie Rogali’s sexy good looks and lush mezzo tones made her a center of attention when the glamorous Paquette was on stage, while the large cast was filled out competently by supporting singing-actors Lovell Rose, Ben Ross and Max Jacob Zander...
Comments