Review: THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT at Minnesota Opera
This production runs now through February 12th
MUSIC BY Gaetano Donizetti
LIBRETTO BY JULES-HENRI VERNOY DE SAINT-GEORGES, JEAN FRANÇOIS BAYARD
Love is a battlefield.
Marie is no ordinary canteen girl. Adopted and raised by a squadron of French soldiers and unaware of her aristocratic lineage, this spunky young woman falls for a handsome villager. But when her past comes to whisk her away, will she fall in line or follow her heart? A laugh-out-loud hit, Donizetti's romantic comedy mixes hilarious hijinks with vocal pyrotechnics in this witty and heartwarming production.
The Daughter of the Regiment has romance, humor, vocal pyrotechnics-and one of the most unique roles in the repertoire, the Duchess of Krakenthorp. This cameo role has a storied history of portrayal by actors and public figures (including late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg and Golden Girl Bea Arthur). In MN Opera's production, the role of the Duchess of Krakenthorp will be performed by RuPaul's Drag Race double crown winner Monét X Change. Don't miss Monét X Change this February 4-12!
Sung in French with English captions projected above the stage. Costumes created by Washington National Opera Costume Studio.
This was a great produciton! I wasn't familiar with this opera, other than knowing a few arias. The script and score had a lot of comedic elements and there was a good amount of dialogue. The costumes and sets were great, they were detailed bright, and colorful. The Minnesota Opera Orchestra received a loud long applause at the beginning and they were fantastic throughout the opera.
The cast was excellent. Vanessa Becerra (Maria) and David Portillo (Tonio) were both charming and funny and had soaring vocals and chemistry with each other. Andew Wilkowske ISergeant Sulpice) was strong and had a rich baritone voice. Margaret Gawrysiak (La Marquise de Berkenfield) and Jeremiah Sanders (Hortensius) had great vocals. acting chops, and chemistry, Charles H. Eaton (Corporal) had a rich baritone voice. To have Monet X Change from Rupauls Drag Race make the famous camero and sing an aria took this production to the next level. To see a renowned drag artist performing in drag in a Minnesota produciton was inspirational. The Minnesota Opera chorus was strong and filled the space with powerful vocals.
I would recommened seeing this production of The Daughter of the Regiment at the Minnesota Opera.
For more ticket and show information, please click the ticket link button below.
From This Author - Jared Fessler
Jared [He/Him] is originally from Iowa and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up doing theatre and studied music, dance, and theatre with additional training in BFA musical theatre.
F... (read more about this author)
Interview: Katie Spelman of AN AMERICAN TALE at Children's Theatre CompanyMarch 29, 2023
An army of cats forces young Fievel Mousekewitz and his family to escape from Russia by boat. When a storm at sea separates them, Fievel arrives alone in the vast city of New York. In this riveting new musical based on the beloved animated film, the steadfastly optimistic Fievel makes his way as a new immigrant, encountering friends and foes (including a few scene-stealing cockroaches!). Despite everything stacked against him, Fievel clings to his dreams of a better life and reuniting with his family. Are they Somewhere Out There?
Interview: Mark Valdez of 12 X 12 at Mixed Blood TheatreMarch 28, 2023
12×12 is a place-based project. We begin by acknowledging that we live and gather on the unceded land of the Dakota People.
Interview: Joshua Pelatzky of BETTY WHO WITH SHEA COULEE at First AvenueMarch 24, 2023
Review: MY FAIR LADY at Ordway Center For The Performing ArtsMarch 23, 2023
What did our critic think of MY FAIR LADY at Ordway Center For The Performing Arts? Boasting classic songs like 'I Could Have Danced All Night' and 'On the Street Where You Live,' My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a 'proper lady.' But, in this new staging of the show, brilliantly directed by Bartlett Sher, you might ask yourself who is really being transformed?
Interview: Melody Her of AGAIN at Theater MuMarch 23, 2023
Local Hmong American playwright and theater artist Katie Ka Vang returns to Theater Mu for the world premiere of her and Melissa Li's musical, Again. Weaving together unlikely friendships, complex family dynamics, and original songs, Again runs Mar 31-Apr 16 at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis (previews Mar 29 & 30). The story begins when cancer survivor Mai See, a successful memoirist who can't seem to get her life together, meets Quest, an aspiring filmmaker who is battling chronic cancer herself. Inspired by Mai See's work, Quest asks her to star in her documentary. Although Mai See reluctantly agrees, they're both thrown for a loop when Mai See discovers she has relapsed.
