A Hymn to the Goddess

A Hymn to the Goddess
Bitsy Stage
Denver, CO
May 18 – June 18, 2018

It has become the tradition of the Bitsy Stage to create theatrical pieces featuring the folklore for children of all ages. The shows are increasingly difficult to get tickets for. Their latest offering A Hymn to the Goddess sold out the entire run before it even opened.

This show was not as action oriented as those we have seen in the past. The storytelling device was an archeologist telling her much younger assistant the myths of Isis and Osiris. There was little humor or action, so the story seemed a bit slow.

The show was well acted. Isis was deliberate and seductive and Set was mysterious and deliberate. The other supporting gods were less intriguing, but still worth watching.  The costumes for the show were lovely in detail. It was a compelling moment when the younger archeologist dressed as Set, the villain.

As always, the production featured a simple set which transformed to exotic locations. The beginning where Isis made ruins into building again was an interesting start, if a bit clunky in execution.

Egyptian mythology is less familiar and more psychological than others, so the stories created a more mysterious and more thought provoking play. It may not have the appeal to younger children as other Bitsy shows, but it brought the eternal themes of Egypt to  life in modern day.

Aida

Aida
Opera Theatre of the Rockies
Ent Center for the Arts
Colorado Springs, CO
May 10 - 13, 2018

Verdi’s Aida is on the of the classic operas that most people have heard of, if not seen. As part of their 2oth season, Opera Theatre of the Rockies presented it in concert form.

While the show did not have a set, images of Egypt were projected on a screen at the back of the stage to suggest the locations of the scenes. The cast were fully costumed throughout, even changing between scene to show the passage of time. Amneris had particularly spectacular outfits befitting the princess of Egypt.

The story was written so much of the action took place offstage. Rademes was already in love with Aida when the opera began. His conquest of the Ethiopians was only referred to after it happened. Even his trail was held offstage where Amneris could only listen in. And with the performance in concert style, it lacked action in front of the audience. A fully staged opera would have contained a victory parade, but since this was a concert, the lights went down on stage and the focus went to the musicians.

Musically, the performance was spectacular. The voices of the singers were perfection and they were beautifully framed by the live orchestra and chorale. But an audience member wanting to see a traditional opera might have been disappointed.

Pirates of the Symphony Seas

Pirates of the Symphony Seas
Colorado Symphony
Boettcher Concert Hall
Denver, CO
May 6, 2018

This season the Buntport Theatre has been presenting Siren Song, a serialized story of pirates in Ancient Schmeece. For the concert Pirates of the Symphony Seas, they brought the show to a larger audience and set it to familiar classical music.


The show started with the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean with conductor Christopher Dragon dressed on a festive red jacket and pirate hat. After that introduction, the play started. It was a silly story of pirates in search of a captain and their encounter of the dreaded siren. It was a fun show that never took itself too seriously. The action was framed with musical interludes by famous composers such as Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Grieg.  They also added "The Eye of the Tiger" for a bit of fun.


This was a different type of performance by the symphony. It was more theatrical than most but judging by the audience reaction, it was a fun afternoon for all the families who attended.

Jurassic Park in Concert

Jurassic Park in Concert
Colorado Symphony
Boettcher Concert Hall
Denver, CO
May 3-4, 2018


The Colorado Symphony has brought in many new audience members with their well publicized movie series. This evening, they presented the music of Jurassic Park. The movie started immediately after conductor Brett Mitchell stepped onstage. The film was presented with subtitles and it was surprising to see how often there was no music at all.

John William’s score for Jurassic Park is one of his most recognizable and hearing it live added an emphasis on the music. It was disappointing that the sound effects were not also li e p that would have made the dinosaurs feel even closer!

The Movies at the Symphony is an excellent series to bring live music to an audience that may not otherwise be interested.