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Regional Reviews: Maine Midcoast TAM Explores the Whimsy of Ruddigore
Focusing on the Arthur Sullivan's score, the production is realized by music director Rebecca Caron and choreographer Adam P. Blais with very basic staging by Richard Sewell. The overall visual effect of the performance might have benefited from a firmer directorial hand to relieve some of the static moments and especially to employ the chorus more dynamically. Caron provides solid vocal coaching and orchestral accompaniment, accompanying from the keyboards with singer-sensitivity and leading the three-person instrumental ensemble skillfully. Flutist Blaise Spath and clarinetist Carol Furman play elegantly though the exposed violin of Kate Gray, suffered on this occasion from some intonation difficulties. Blais' choreography relies on the Gaelic-sounding tunes in the score and allows a few sprightly numbers, especially for the sailor Richard Dauntless. Set designer Richard Sewell creates a simple, but picturesque backdrop of a Cornish seaside village and employs spare props to create the ambiance of both the village and the baronet's haunted castle; Jim Alexander achieves the right contrasts between the sunlit rural scenes and the lurid glare of the spooky mansion, while Christine Niles supplies serviceable period costumes. The unmiked six principals are all possessed of pleasing voices and sing with a sense of style and musicality, though the diction across the board could be crisper (or at least used more consonants) and might have benefitted from a more uniform execution of the British speech patterns on which Gilbert's libretto heavily relies. Connor McAndrews conveys the dual character of Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd—first shy and clumsy swain and then reluctant villain—skillfully. Matt Andersen brings sparkle, panache, and cockiness to his brother Richard Dauntless and he proves himself a fine tenor, a nimble dancer, and kinetically comic presence. Timothy Madden makes Sir Despard Murgatroyd's transformation from classic horror movie villain to respectable husband believable without overdoing and evidences a fine baritone. Laura Whittenberger possesses a pure, bell-like lyric soprano, which suits the proper heroine, Rose Maybud; Jamie Beth Weist creates a colorful Mad Margaret, and Sabrina Yocono is a feisty Dame Hannah. Rounding out the cast are David Handley as the faithful old servant Adam Goodheart and Joe McGrann as the ghost of Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, who is more compelling dramatically than he is vocally. The twelve-person chorus do their very best despite the handicap of their small size and lack of stage direction. TAM is to be complimented for their commitment to this repertoire, as well as to Shakespeare and the classics. The audience I attended with, which comprised a cross-section of young and mature, speaks to the appeal of their work. Ruddigore runs at Theater at Monmouth, Monmouth, Maine, through September 27, 2015. 207-933-9999 www.theateratmonmouth.org.
--Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold |
