Operas play side-by-side venues downtown

By Burt Saidel

Two operas played within 100 feet of each other in Dayton. Dayton Opera mounted its rollicking Pirates of Penzance in true operatic fashion. Next door, the Human Race Theatre Company put on Convenience by Greg Coffin.

It is no stretch to call both of these stunning productions operas. "Pirates" is typed as an operetta but is marvelous spoof of grand opera. In poking fun at opera, G&S gave the audiences great parodies of operatic arias, duets and choruses.

The plot of "Pirates," like all of their works, is a biting satire. In this case, English naivet is the target. Every character is bound to duty and seems to walk about with his or her head in a fog. Of course, it is a very proper English fog!

The main characters, a reluctant pirate, his faithful and loving nurse, the Pirate King, the Major General and his beautiful daughter, Mabel, gyrate through the charming plot while singing great music.

In the case of Dayton Operas "Pirates," the voices matched the music with verve and energy. As stated in a previous column, Impresario Tom Bankston has chosen future stars as his principals. Each member of the young quartet made their role zing with excitement and vocal beauty.

As the romantic hero Frederic, Chad Berlinghieri used his charming tenor voice to woo each and every one of the Major Generals daughters. He succeeded with the most beautiful one, Mabel. Kristen Sharpley has a bright soprano voice full of charm and vocal pyrotechnics. She is also a beautiful young woman who has a winning stage presence.

The swashbuckling Pirate King was done to the walls by handsome Dominic Aquilino. He played the role in mock Errol Flynn style while singing like a future Sheryl Milnes. As Ruth, the overage but loving nurse to Frederic, Nichol Larimer had great moments in charming duets.

Of course, no Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is complete without the comedian role. Gary Briggle gave his Major General such a winning persona that we would gladly have him replace Colin Powell. He also directed the entire production.

The rest of the cast maintained the sparkle. The women in the chorus were fetching in their vintage costumes and charming in their singing. It was the men, the pirates and the Toonerville Cops who valiantly opposed the fierce pirates, who won even more hearts.

The police sergeant, Benjamin Smolder, led his crew of cowardly lions through the cutest dance numbers imaginable. Former Opera Chairman, Dr. Bruce Kline, never stopped beaming as he danced his way into the hearts of thousands.

[review of other show omitted due to space considerations]

Used by permission of Oakwood Register.