If you are looking for perfection in a theatre performance look no further than Sandy Campbell’s channeling of Maria Callas in Terrence McNally’s ‘Master Class’.
It is now playing through Dec. 14th at Legler Benbough Theatre at Scrips Ranch Theatre in conjunction with Roustabouts Theatre Company. Under the skillful direction of Phil Johnson and dramaturge Tim Botsko, Campbell approaches her students with passion, conviction and purpose.
Campbell, who sings like a nightingale herself, is no stranger to hard work, endless rehearsals and hours, no a lifetime of commitment to mastering her craft as both singer and actor.
She is well known to San Diego audiences for her award winning performance as Lucille Frank in the Alfred Uhry/Jason Robert Brown musical ‘Parade’, and more recently in Cygnet’s Follies. Her credits are too long to list; just know that this master is taking on another master.
Maria Callas was indeed, the La Divina. From an overweight, nearsighted youngster born in the U.S. to ‘an overbearing mother’ and beautiful sister, to her struggles with poverty during the war in Greece, to her musical education there and her rise to recognition, her bel canto voice became her passport to fame, fortune and her talk of the town, temperament.
She slimmed down mid -career, and turned herself into a svelte and glamorous prima donna; the envy of her rivals and there were many. When her voice failed, she turned to teaching a Master Class at Juilliard College. That was in 1971. Based on true events, McNally’s piece picks up during one of these sessions where she critiques three advanced Juilliard students.
She enters the stage: Manny (Kyle Adam Blair, also musical director) the Accompanist at the school, takes his place and settles in. Callas (Campbell) follows. She is dressed in a drop dead stunning and fitting to the bone expensive black pants suit, matching scarf, ‘Italian shoes’ and ‘Chanel Bag’. (Dawn Fuller-Korinek)
‘No applause. We’re here to work’. ‘Singing is serious business.’’ You’re scared to death of me” Eh? Is that it? I don’t bite. I promise you. I bark…’ She addressed the audiences as she would a class she is teaching. At times she throws a little humor into the conversation, asking the audience a question and then bringing it right back to her class
 |
| Campbell and Sara Frondoni |
Bark she does, frightening to death her three students; soprano Sophie De Palma (Abigail Grace Allwein), singing Amina’s final aria from Bellini’s opera “La Sonnambula.” ‘You sang it. You didn’t feel it. It’s not a note we’re after, it’s a stab of pain’.
Soprano Sharon, ‘Astonish us Sharon’ (Sara Frondini) singing from Verdi’s “Macbeth” and tenor Tony (Ben Read) beautifully singing Cavaradossi’s “Recondita armonia” from Puccini’s ‘Tosca’.
She goes after them singularly interrupting them at every turn, for one thing or another while allowing her mind to drift back to her glory days with her recordings singing some of her favorite and well- recognized arias play in the background. Her voice no longer what it was, she speaks the words in perfect Italian diction.
 |
| Abigail Grace Allwein, Ben Read, Sara Frondoni and Sandy Campbell. |
She recalls her La Scala debut, her rivals, her critiques of Dame Joan Sutherland (her looks and size, ‘a 12 foot Lucia?) and her relationship with Aristotle Onassis and the heartbreak that followed their breakup in 1977 just before Onassis married Jaqueline Kennedy. He never married Maria and refused to allow her to have their child which she so desperately wanted.
No doubt, Campbell has perfected her role of Callas even at the expense of the backstage manager ( Tim Benson) badgering him first for a pitcher of water, pillow to sit on and then for a footstool to rest her feet since her feet don’t touch the ground on the chair they gave her. This she does with an exasperated look, but with satisfaction when all is said and done.
 |
| Ben Read, Sandy Campbell with Kyle Adam Blair |
Callas was one tough, uncompromising lady, oft times quite vicious and petty when complaining about her rivals. One can almost feel sorry for her but… ‘The only thanks I ask is that you sing properly and honestly. If you do this, I will be repaid.’
As for Campbell, she IS the star of this show reprising it after ten years. She is impeccable, professional and flawless. You don’t have to be a fan of opera, or even a Callas fan to enjoy this show, but you will be blown away by Campbell’s performance.
Dixon Fish designed the set, sound and projection design/co -producer, Ted Leib, props design /set dressing/scenic painting Duane McGregor, Peter Hermann, wigs and Jill Drexler is the Artistic Director of Scripps Ranch Theatre.
Enjoy.
See you at the theatre.
When: Runs through Dec. 14. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Legler Benbough Theatre, 783 Avenue of Nations, Allied International University, San Diego
Tickets: $30-$52
Photo: Daren Scott
Phone: 858-395-0573
Online: theroustabouts.org
No comments:
Post a Comment