Musical Theater Performs Scenes from 'Marriage of Figaro'
Chad
Newton
Staff Writer
"The Marriage of Figaro," an opera written by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was performed at the University of Arkansas at
Monticello in the Fine Arts Center Nov. 13-14.
Cast of the characters comprise:
• Regina Vaughn as Countess Almaviva
• Maegan Alyssa Brewer as Cherubino
• Erickson Skinner as Count Almaviva
• Ashley Couch as Susanna
• David Vaughn as Figaro
• David Brent Miller as Antonio
• Lillian King as Marcellina
(Thursday)
• Sarah Humphreys as Marcellina (Friday)
• John Gladden as Don Bartolo
• Rashaad Calaham as Don Basilio
The opera’s story starts in France as Figaro, the steward
for Count Almaviva, borrows 10,000 francs from Marcellina, Don
Bartolo’s housekeeper. The loan was intended to provide finance for
Figaro’s wedding.
Susanna is the lucky lady Figaro intends to marry. Figaro signed a promissory note to Marcellina if he does not repay the loan, he will be forced to marry Marcellina under contract obligation.
Susanna serves as the Countess Almaviva’s chambermaid. But Count Almaviva, who is already married, finds strong interest to Susanna. Count Almaviva conjures up a plan to prevent Figaro from marrying Susanna.
With the help of Marcellina, Don Bartolo, and Don Basilio, the Count takes his plan into action. Before the plan comes into play, the Count caught the young Cherubino in the Countess’s bedroom.
In a fit of rage, the Count sends Cherubino away to join the military. Under the Count’s nose, Figaro caught up with Cherubino and convinced the young boy to come back.
Figaro concocted a plan of his own to catch the Count in his unfaithful ways against the Countess. Figaro gathered Susanna and the Countess to dress Cherubino as a woman to catch the Count in his cheating ways.
The rendezvous was at a garden area in the nighttime. The plan can come to fruition, but the Count busted in the Countess Chambers and demanded to see Susanna. Susanna and Cherubino were locked in a room when the Count went after a mad rage.
The Countess stalled the Count from seeing Susanna, so the Count and Countess left the chambers until Susanna comes out. Cherubino took the chance and jumped out of the balcony to escape before the Count comes back.
The Count comes back in the chambers with the Countess. The Countess confesses to the Count that there is a young boy in the chamber, when the door opened, it was only Susanna.
The Count confused, apologized to the Countess and Susanna. Figaro stepped in and surprised to see the Count. Figaro was confronted with a promissory letter by the Count about his arrangement with Marcellina.
The Count intended to use the letter as blackmail to foil Figaro’s wedding. Antonio busted in a drunkard state had some information he needed to address the Count. Antonio said that there was a young boy jumped off the balcony and landed in his flowers.
Antonio pointed out that it was Cherubino. The Count demanded an explanation from the Countess, Figaro, and Susanna. Figaro deceived the Count by admitting it was him instead of Cherubino.
All of the maneuvering of Figaro fell down when all of the Count’s associates came into the room and enforced the contract between Figaro and Marcellina. Figaro ran out of time and Marcellina got her prize.
John Gladden who played Don Bartolo commented on the performance. “Turnout was really good, it was what we expected,” Gladden said. “Performance was really good; everyone was on top of their game.”
Gladden mentioned more about upcoming opera play “Sweeney Todd” in April of 2009. Director Kent Skinner said Thurday night attendance rounded up over 100 people.
Friday night’s re-cap of The Marriage of Figaro attendance reached over 120 people. For those who do not know about Opera, the play is a great experience. The characters were talented and disciplined in their craft.
All actors and actresses deserve our praise and
congratulation for the hard work and dedication that went into pulling
off this play.
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©The Voice 2008
