The Threepenny Opera

and

The 3 Penny Carmen

Our Atlanta Opera is performing under the big top once again; this time at the Cobb Center for the Performing Arts right by 285 and 75. They are doing a couple of camped up versions of old time favorites; The Threepenny Opera by Kurt Weill and Carmen by Georges Bizet.

The stage is at one end of the tent, and there is a runway through the center that brings the performers into closer view for all in the house. Carmen was written to be set in Saville back around 1820. While it didn’t get great reviews when it played in various countries back in the late 1800s; nobody knew that it was going to be universally enjoyed to this day. When you hear the music being played it resonates to your heart as you want to clap and sing along with Escamillo when he belts out the Toreador’s Song, or get up and start dancing by your chair when Sonia Olla struts out to you doing her Flamenco dances. Everything about the show is great, costumes, music, singing, dancing and a newer and quirkier story line. But it isn’t just about love sought, found, lost and buried. It is about bringing great pleasure to the eyes and ears of the audience. This production plays only two more times; Wednesday April 28 and Thursday May 6.

Running in repertory with other members of the Opera company is the story of Mack the Knife, written by Bertolt Brecht and adapted from The Beggar’s Opera set in London’s SOHO area. Tom Key comes stage center as the narrator and street performer but there are plenty more sots and ladies of the night, as Macheath (Jay Hunter Morris) works through his problems of finding love while the Bobby’s are on the lookout for him to send him off to the slammer. Of course, you’ll also want to sing along with Mack the Knife and about his pearly teeth. This one plays only 4 more times; Thursday April 29 and Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, May 5, 7 and 9.

Both shows are superb and a ton of work which deserves to be in a real auditorium. But, we all know that as soon as it makes sense to do so, that they shall once again take shelter. More info and tickets at AtlantaOpera.org

Disney On Ice
Dream Big

Infinite Energy Arena
through April 25, 2021

Mickey & Minnie and many more of the characters have come back to town, this time playing at the Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth. The show has a cast of more than forty performers who hit the ice in the usual Disneyesque costumes; many of whom you will immediately relate to. That includes princesses, ogres, fish, and so many more. Each of the characters come to the rink on skates and the moves are pretty much the same as you might have seen in the usual ballet numbers in grand skating competitions.

The presentation doesn’t have a specific story line, albeit you deduce some lines from the actions of the performers, as they all do their numbers to prerecorded scores. The venue has good view from all the seats, especially from the ones on the lower levels right by the skating rink. But, in the know-before-you-go category plan to take the kids and get there earlier than you are used to doing. Due to the Covid pandemic situation, the seating is set up akin to pods, with plenty of vacant seats around those you have. But, with the security and screening, one might feel it is easier to get into Hartsfield than to this facility.

And, when the show starts on time, the house goes dark and finding your way to seats can be a bit difficult. So if you have one of those little flashlights, or your cell phone has one, bring it with you.

The production runs about 2 hours with a 20 minute intermission; and the audience really enjoys it as they always do when Disney comes to entertain. Because this one is good for the youngsters, know the show time is 7pm, so plan to fight your way through some rush hour traffic if living more than a few miles away. More info and tickets at www.disneyonice.com

Packing up Polly

Leslie Kimbell, who penned the Four Old Broads play, now has turned our attention to some younger broads who come together in some weird circumstances at the home of the late Polly Porter in Savannah.. Polly had been an active gospel singer and she was also one of those folks we all know, as she never seemed to toss out anything except maybe a relative.

If you’re of a certain age then you know of what I speak when I say that as we go through life acquiring things we feel that we own things. But, as our time grows shorter we wake up to realize that “things” own us. Ergo, we start off meeting daughter Caroline (Marita McKee) who is trying to get things organized, packed up and labeled for what goes where and how. A former classmate, Lizzy (Irene Polk), shows up. She may not have been the first person Caroline might have looked to for help. For they have their differences and are not really BFFs. Liz is pretty much into herself and trying to keep her pageantry business running.

A couple of other local ladies also show up, as the news hits the streets of Polly’s passing. Becca (Kelley Gray) shows up very much into her third trimester and ready to birth her fifth child. So the water alarm can go off at a moments notice. And local theatre diva, Donna Jo (Cat Rondeau) struts the stage as each of the ladies has her own agenda and history to deal with.

Directed by Barry West, the show runs in two acts on a set that reminds you to go home and straighten things up a bit. And if you don’t recognize somebody from your own family and circle of friends, then maybe you have missed something; as any issue which could arise seems to do so. It is a good story which is done to the tens by four fine actors.

Know before you go that Onstage takes every caution very well to protect each of us. Seating is limited, all areas are sanitized, and masks must be worn at all times when in the facility. They will also check your temperature, and any food and drinks must be consumed out on the patio. But the bottom line is good script, good cast, well performed, a safe environment and a heck of a lot better than watching all the repeats on the TV.

Shows run Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. More info and tickets at OnstageAtlanta.com or call for tickets to 404-897-1802.