By MAC Hoover
Although the Sorcerer is not as well known as some of their other works, it’s a comical delight.
Where would we be if we had no reference from where we were before? That sentence may be confusing but logical. Gilbert and Sullivan is typically like that, and the Pittsburgh Savoyards production of The Sorcerer is no exception to that rule.
This opera is an homage to the class discrimination of the Victorian age and a rollicking good time. This troupe has impressive talent at its core. The lead singers have excellent depth in their performances, and the rotating supporting players are a strong complement. The acting is comic and satirical in nature. . The fact that the chronologic ages of its cast is so vast offers hope that these classic productions will continue for generations to come. This Sorcerer itself is over 140 years old.
The talented Pittsburgh Savoyards presented a wonderful evening of entertainment. with the combined chorale voices showcased beautifully and not augmented with microphones. True, some voices were thin, but the enthusiasm was not. There are strong standout vocal performances throughout this production. As the cast is not static, varying by performance, I will not single out individual performances. Suffice it to say; the talent is there in spades.
The simple set, often used, was just the right amount of visual texture to support the action. The costumes were not very obvious as to the class distinction as alluded to in the program. The odd fascinators and parasols weren’t helpful in class identification, and the ill-fitting men’s coats were as distracting as the lack of consistent hairstyling.
The lighting was spot on in its spooky delivery of the climactic conjuring scenes. It was a great touch to the Halloween vibe.
The Pittsburgh Savoyards (in their 85th Season) have done a remarkable job in their newest performance space at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center. The theater doesn’t have the rickety charm of the Carnegie venue with its peeling paint and shabby ‘chic’ decor, but it is clean, bright and beautifully appointed. The seating is comfortable, and the acoustics are crisp.
The hidden gem of everything the Savoyards offer is its live orchestra, which is worth the price of admission. It is a fantastic pool of volunteer talent whose love of the music is evident. The scores are complex, fast-paced, and rhythmically complicated, but these talented folks never miss a beat.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas are never easy to pull off. They are, in my opinion, they are grandfathers of Musical Theater and the earliest rap-worthy wordsmiths. They depend on alliteration and wordplay with staccato precision. Their ability to blend operatic voices with the cadences and rhythms of their score to tell a story is legendary.
Bravo, Pittsburgh Savoyards! You’ve done it again. You’ve taken an old opera and brought it back to life with respect to its roots. Most importantly, you inspire a new generation of musicians to appreciate the creativity and the joy it brings.
Creative team for the Sorcerer: Stage Director – Brady Collins, Music Director – Guy Russo, Production Manager – Lynette Garlan, Stage Manager – Andrea Lisiak, Technical Director – Robert Hockenberry, Costumier – Mary Lepiane, Properties Designer – Leslie Clark
The Sorcerer performed by the Pittsburgh Savoyards at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center, 3579 Masonic Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, October 21-23 & October 28-30, with two live stream dates also available. For tickets visit: https://www.pittsburghsavoyards.org/wordpress/the-sorcerer-2022/
Categories: Reviews
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