Cabaret Scenes Theatre Review - The Glorious Ones

The Glorious Ones, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's (Ragtime) new musical salute to commedia del'arte at The Mitzi Newhouse Theatre in Lincoln Center, has moments of shining extravagance and flashy outlandishness. This is largely thanks to the charismatic Marc Kudisch portraying an audacious and dedicated troupe leader, Flaminio Scala. Commedia del'arte is Italian street comedy featuring fast, smooth improvisation and flamboyant stereotyped characters. There is not great public interest today in this art form, and directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, The Glorious Ones, despite its bravura display of low, obvious humor, the necessary smooth flow and give-and-take is not consistent, and the production is uneven and feels somewhat dusty.

Lynn Ahrens based her libretto on a semi-realistic novel written by Francine Prose. The plot is set in the late 1600s with a seven-person traveling troupe, a time when commedia del'arte was just beginning to lose its popularity as entertainment. The dashing Flaminio, nevertheless, relishes in his assurance that there is still a place for him as well as this art form, and is convinced that he is an actor for the ages. Kudisch imbues Flaminio with flair and persuasion, toward the end of the play delivering a decisive solo, "I Was Here," staking his claim to his talents in the theatre.

Natalie Venetia Belcon plays Columbina, Flaminio's leading lady/amorata, with hearty sexuality. Among the talented Flaherty and Ahrens melodious and character-enhancing songs is Columbina's perspective at the inevitability of getting older with "My Body Wasn't Why." Flaminio and Columbina sense the beginning of the end of their reigns as company stars when two new artists are taken on, playwrite/actress Isabella (Erin Davie) and former street clown Francisco (Jeremy Webb), who become lovers. Erin Davie's characterization of Isabella, while dewy yet ambitious, lacks charm and never catches fire, even with her solo, "The World She Writes." Furthermore, the two young lovers are barely captivating with their duet, "Opposite You."

Also included in the troupe are miserly and timeworn Pantalone (David Patrick Kelly), and John Kassir who is comical as the Dottore. Notable is a tiny, spicy fireball, Julyana Soelistyo, playing Armanda Ragusa who renders a standout tarantella list song of saucy observations.

The set by Dan Ostling is a basic wooden bi-level that is quite convincing as a Venetian street stage, with effective lighting by Stephen Strawbridge. Mara Blumenfeld designed colorful period costumes for her traveling actors, and Daniele keeps the pace crisp until the end, when an extended epilogue stalls the rhythm. Unfortunately, The Glorious Ones fails to rise to glorious heights.

Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
November 15, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.com



	The Glorious Ones Mitzi Newhouse Theatre - Lincoln Center New York, NY
The Glorious Ones, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's (Ragtime) new musical salute to commedia del'arte at The Mitzi Newhouse Theatre in Lincoln Center, has moments of shining extravagance and flashy outlandishness. This is largely thanks to the charismatic Marc Kudisch portraying an audacious and dedicated troupe leader, Flaminio Scala. Commedia del'arte is Italian street comedy featuring fast, smooth improvisation and flamboyant stereotyped characters. There is not great public interest today in this art form, and directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, The Glorious Ones, despite its bravura display of low, obvious humor, the necessary smooth flow and give-and-take is not consistent, and the production is uneven and feels somewhat dusty. Lynn Ahrens based her libretto on a semi-realistic novel written by Francine Prose. The plot is set in the late 1600s with a seven-person traveling troupe, a time when commedia del'arte was just beginning to lose its popularity as entertainment. The dashing Flaminio, nevertheless, relishes in his assurance that there is still a place for him as well as this art form, and is convinced that he is an actor for the ages. Kudisch imbues Flaminio with flair and persuasion, toward the end of the play delivering a decisive solo, "I Was Here," staking his claim to his talents in the theatre. Natalie Venetia Belcon plays Columbina, Flaminio's leading lady/amorata, with hearty sexuality. Among the talented Flaherty and Ahrens melodious and character-enhancing songs is Columbina's perspective at the inevitability of getting older with "My Body Wasn't Why." Flaminio and Columbina sense the beginning of the end of their reigns as company stars when two new artists are taken on, playwrite/actress Isabella (Erin Davie) and former street clown Francisco (Jeremy Webb), who become lovers. Erin Davie's characterization of Isabella, while dewy yet ambitious, lacks charm and never catches fire, even with her solo, "The World She Writes." Furthermore, the two young lovers are barely captivating with their duet, "Opposite You." Also included in the troupe are miserly and timeworn Pantalone (David Patrick Kelly), and John Kassir who is comical as the Dottore. Notable is a tiny, spicy fireball, Julyana Soelistyo, playing Armanda Ragusa who renders a standout tarantella list song of saucy observations. The set by Dan Ostling is a basic wooden bi-level that is quite convincing as a Venetian street stage, with effective lighting by Stephen Strawbridge. Mara Blumenfeld designed colorful period costumes for her traveling actors, and Daniele keeps the pace crisp until the end, when an extended epilogue stalls the rhythm. Unfortunately, The Glorious Ones fails to rise to glorious heights. Elizabeth Ahlfors Cabaret Scenes November 15, 2007 www.cabaretscenes.com

The Glorious Ones

Mitzi Newhouse Theatre - Lincoln Center New York, NY

Mitzi Newhouse Theatre - Lincoln Center
New York, NY