Review: Stray Dog Theatre's Production of MASTER CLASS

Playwright Terrence McNally's Master Class is a fascinating peek at the life and legend of famed soprano Maria Callas, capturing the former opera star at a time when her talent was beginning to fade. The play is loosely based on events that occurred during actual classes that Callas taught in the early 1970's at the Juilliard School at Lincoln Center, and often reflects the passionate love of music that Callas possessed, as well as the bitterness she harbored at how she was treated prior to undergoing a dramatic weight loss. Stray Dog Theatre's current production of Master Class neatly conveys the complexities at work within this iconic figure.

There's really no plot to follow here, the action is simply served up as though the audience were actually attending the class, and Callas commands our attention throughout as any teacher would; with entertaining and revealing stories, and by providing pointed and biting criticism of the three vocalists who dare to present themselves before her. Each get their turn to perform, and each is met with considerable skepticism by Callas.

Her message is simple and direct in that she just expects each of them to come in prepared to actually perform this pieces as if they were performing them for an audience, completely in character from the moment they make their entrance on to the stage. She certainly has a point, but when a student actually gets the message and delivers a performance that moves her, he's dismissed summarily because she's reluctant to delve any deeper; he's learned the lesson, and she's not about to reveal anything deeper if she can avoid it. Those moments when the students finally do get to perform uninterrupted, are filled with private reflections by Callas that touch on her personal life as well as her professional triumphs.

Lavonne Byers is fully invested in the part of Callas and delivers a nicely modulated performance worthy of attention. The role of the temperamental star allows Byers to run through a wide range of emotions, and she manages to imbue the part with a great amount of charm, despite the sometimes callous exterior she exhibits. Martin Fox is unflappable as her accompanist for the class, Manny Weinstock, and offers up a laid back contrast to the fussy Callas.

Jessica Tilghman, Jon Garrett and Leslie Sikes all display fine voices as the students who undertake the dreaded task of performing for Callas. Tilghman is in the initial lamb being led to the slaughter as Sophie De Palma, and she's barely allowed to even start the piece she's chosen before Callas cuts her off. Sikes does strong work as Sharon Graham, fleeing after her attire and entrance is savaged, only to return later to let the diva have it with both barrels. Garrett is also good as a tenor with a chip on his shoulder who's heard all about the intense dislike Callas has of his ilk, and who winds up captivating her nonetheless with his emotional performance. Jay V. Hall adds a bit of humor to the show as a stagehand who appears to placate the demanding Callas with the timely appearance of a footstool and seat cushion.

Gary Bell's keen direction, along with a talented cast, keeps this uneven, and sometimes repetitive work engaging and entertaining. When Callas stops to reflect the pace drags considerably, but those are some of the most revealing bits as well, so it's a tradeoff that makes the tone waver. Tyler Duenow's lighting illuminates those moments of clarity gracefully, and Jay V. Hall's simple and stark scenic design lets the stage look like a stage.

Stray Dog Theatre's fine production of Terence McNally's Master Class continues through October 2, 2010 at the Tower Grove Abbey.

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