The Mixed Precipitation opera group has been performing picnic operettas for a few years now: in a public park, a show is presented, with some finger foods served during the performance. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and bug spray. This was our third year of attending a performance, and they held true to form, selecting a traditional opera as a stepping off point for an eclectic blend of traditional opera, pop songs, and a story which, like much opera, doesn’t care if the it’s plausible or not, only whether it gives the singers a chance to do what they love. Indeed, speaking generally of opera, to quote an opera-loving friend of ours after discussing an opera he had seen, “It was the worst staged opera I’ve ever seen, and the best sung. Therefore, it was the best opera I’ve ever seen.”
So a light review: Donald Giovanni, Carly Davidson, and Ted Snuz have invaded the Midwest to participate in a GOP debate. The infighting is vicious, the character faults on neon display, and the ghost of Ronald Reagan hovers over all until it, too, suffers a fate worse than … death. Donald Giovanni, sporting a hairdo worthy of A Flock of Seagull (a dated guy is worth a dated reference, after all), not only the target of the other candidates, but of other folks who want a piece of his hide, has a dashing line of patter to distract his opponents, along with some lovely caprese and watermelon juice, before he is finally caught and stripped of his hair.
The staging, what there was of it, was good as the company takes full advantage of the venue (in this case, JD Rivers Children’s Garden in Minneapolis, but they perform at several venues). The singing was strong (important in an open-air venue), and if I don’t understand the Italian songs, that’s my fault, not the company’s. The pop songs were well done well. The accompanying musicians are professionals; I’ve been unable to determine if the adult performers in the operetta are also professionals or talented amateurs.
While my Arts Editor thought this send-up was a bit too obvious, I thought it was still great fun and definitely worth a watch.
(This review includes material from Arts Editor Deb White.)
