GOUNOD'S FAUST: A CENTER STAGE OPERA PERFORMANCE
By Mary Broadbent

It takes true talent to give a great musical performance, but to put an operatic twist on it that demonstrates character and captivation, is a feat all it's own. For the Center Stage Opera's Founder and Artistic Director, Dylan F. Thomas, one of his goals is to perform unique stories to opera lovers, but still leave the doors wide open to the undiscovered eye. His latest work is adapting Gounod's Faust, a timeless story where a man struggles with his own free will in the battle of good vs. evil. As a director, I never "update" a show. I tell a story. The Faustian legend is one of the oldest stories in Western Literature, retold a thousand times, a hundred different ways…the lesson is always the same, "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR." The Center Stage Opera, celebrating it's 5th year, conjures up an enchanting show featuring the musical direction of Brian Onderdonk and the Center Stage Opera Orchestra to resurrect Faust into an operatic masterpiece.

Faust is a scientist, who has had his fill of academia and now longs to possess a life of pleasure and youth. Being far removed from the outside world by his devotion to science, Faust has given up hope to pursue his dreams and believes his only choice is to drink a magic potion that will take him away from his misery. Not a moment too soon after he sips the last drop does the devil, Mephistopheles, arrive at Faust's door. Bringing promises of youth, power, and finally images of the fair Marguerite, Faust is won over and agrees to bargain his soul for the devils' services. As the story unfolds Faust gains more and more of what he so desires but the cost of his choices start to add up and it's soon time for him to pay the piper! Placed in the middle of duals, deception, romance and magic, our dear heroin is trapped and begins to realize he should be careful what he wishes for!

Having a cast of performers, dancers, and singers who bring great depth and range, the show delivers a story that is enjoyable to both the fan and the stranger of opera. Josh Shaw (Faust) produces a touching character who is both confused and frustrated by his choices, while Phil Meyer (Mephistopheles) gives a smart performance as the clever devil, with a deep bellowing voice and twist of charm. As for our leading lady, the songbird, Adrien Robert (Marguerite), produces a true example of the beauty of an opera when she sings. Accompanied with a strong chorus, prominent solos by Arkeel Tamayo (Valentin) and Raeeka Shehabi-Yaghmai (Siebel), and quirky charisma from Sarah-Nicole Ruddy (Marthe) one might be left smitten with the show. In addition are the talents of Jonathan Sharp (choreographer) and Ellen Rosa as the ghostly dancers who waltz in and out of the scenes like a dream sequence. All talents involved represent pure art in their songs and dance with individual charm to their characters.

Remarkable, and Exquisite to behold, Faust is performed in French, with English translation projected above the stage. With dark, dreary hues reflected in both set designs and costumes, the sad romance of the story is not only in the talented dancing and vocals of the performers, but in the onstage scenery. Translating the melancholy, longing, and rage of the story with colors of blue, gray, brown, and cream, the Center Stage Opera's presentation of Faust creates a scene quite similar to an old Hitchcock film.

For opera lovers, you'll be quite pleased with this adaptation and performance. For those foreign to the art of opera, it will open you to a new form of theatrics that will hopefully keep you coming back to the Center Stage Opera's performances for more! For more information on upcoming shows please visit www.centerstageopera.org.

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