January 19, 1989 F ig a ro ! F ig a ro ! by Stephen E. McPherson, Special Correspondent Opera no longer is sequestered within the domain of the culturally elite or the serious student of classi cal music. The Portland Opera Play ers demonstrates this fact quite con vincingly in their current revival of “ FIGARO! FIG ARO !" The re-writing of Rossini’s popular “ Barber of Sev ille" is now enjoying a tremendous success at the Eastside Performance Center located at 531 S.E. 14th here in Portland. The curtain goes up on Friday and Saturday night perform ances at 8 p.m. until January 21. Matinee offerings are on Sundays beginning at 2 p.m. until January 22. Even though this production was staged to expose the uninitiated to the world of opera, the well-honed opera buff is going to come away with an added chuckle. As if the original opera were not funny enough, Mi chael Berkson and Philip Kelsey have injected some extra dim ensions into the libretto and score which prove to be a delightful spoof of an already ~ r;~ m r. - • •• ■.♦ • ->« • Portland Observer * Page 5 Bounces Back With Zest com edic opera. At the same time, the musical purity of Rossini's original masterpiece is carefully preserved. The story line roughly approximates situations created in the original All of the “Barber of Seville” characters are in place with their usual personal ity traits. The libretto is in English and is supplemented by a spoken dia logue. This particular nuance might dismay the purest since this is the very criterion which separates an a opera from an operetta. One must remember, however, that the Port- AT OUR NEW SENTRY, land Opera Players never pretended to be an opera company and this particular work was not written to enthrall the seasoned opera goer This review is complicated by the fact that a different individual assumes a particular role on any given night. At the time this reviewer witnessed “ FIGARO! FIGARO!“ , the title role was played and sung by Steven Aiken. He was at all times in full control of his vocal instrument and at the same time displayed an acting ability which could sell anyone the Brooklyn Bridge. Elizabeth Lawson as Rosina rendered a virtuosity that one would like to see on the main stage. Her character portrayal belied the sweet innocence her guardianship suggested The role of Dr. Bartolo was inter preted by local music teacher, Ro land Harris, who was previously pro filed in the PORTLAND OBSERVER. It is a pity that librettist Berkson gave him so many speaking lines before he unleashed the robust beauty of his bass-baritone voice. Mr. Harris is Roland Harris convincing as an avaricious and bungling miscreant. One wishes that more of his latent musical talent cou Id have been showcased. Christopher Cheek in his interpre tation of a love sick suitor was more than adequate as Don Basilio. At times, however, one wondered if the Kelsey and Berkson team had co mingled his lyrics withy Rosina’s col oratura arias. Laurance Fee was in excellent voice as Count Almaviva. His Boris Karloff makeup and charac terization of a fiendish count aug mented a trem endous touch of hu mor. Bit parts played by Kathleen Hanson and Michael Berkson added extra chuckles to the evening. The piano duo of David McDade and Philip Kelsey was superb through out the evening. The final arbiter in any such dem onstration is the consum ing public. Judging from the giggles, laughs applause and curtain calls, one can not help but conclude that "FIGARO! FIGARO!" is a resounding success PORTLAND OBSERVER “ The Eyes and Ears of the C o m m u n ity” 288-0033 Broadway Bound bv G a rla nd Lee Thom pson THE FIVE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA TO APPEAR IN TOWN The stars of the Broadway musical production, “ Gospel At C olonis,” The Five Blind boys of Alabama, will per form an evening of gospel music at the Portland Foursquare Church, 1302 S.E. Ankeny. The schedule date of this 1989 new year gospel musical treat is Friday, January 20th, 1989, 8 p m. This widely known spiritual sing ing group has sung throughout the South and East Coast for many years before I saw them in “ Gospel At Colonis,” featured with veteran actor Morgan Freeman, with whom they toured the show to several cities before coming to Broadway. Just try to think if Ray Charles has four brothers." If you like gospel, you will love this "vintage class act.” Write on and “ let the church say am en.” COMING JANUARY 30th. T.J.’s # 2 SENTRY 909 N. Killingsworth (formerly Albertson’s) 7 am - 11 pm IT WAS ‘ CHECKMATE” FOR NEW BLACK BROADWAY PRODUCER OREGON 9% VARIABLE Annual Percentage Rate Sealed Bid Properties Department of Veteran's Affairs Vet & Non-Vet Eligible No Occupancy Requirements Purchase More Than One This was a sad affair in which no one wins. The latest Black Broadway play, "Checkm ates," by Ron Milner, starring Ruby Dee, Paul Winfield, Denzel Washington and Marsha Jackson, just recently closed. I saw the show last month and reviewed it for you here in BROADWAY BOUND REPORT. Now here’s the lately “ T " on this Woodie King Jr. directed-show that I liked very much. It seems that one of the producers, Michael Harris, who is originally from Louisiana, and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 years to begin a business career. His interest in the theatre was sparked at the Inner City Cultural Center of LA, which has spawned a number of hit shows (I did eleven productions there myself, 1966- 70). Harris then became involved in “ Checkm ates," which was a joint venture between the Inner City C ul tural Center and Marla Gibbs’ Cross roads Theatre of Los Angeles. It was at this time that Michael Harris (now 26 years old) formed ”Y Not Produc tions" with Hayward Collins. Young Harris is reported to have bankrolled half of the $700,000 budget for the show. This was his Broadway debut. It is a dream story for a young Black man that "crashed” when it is reported in the press of his arrest and drug conviction recently in California. It sent shock waves through the Broadway District Theatre com m u nity. “ Drug money stories" and pick ets appeared at the 46th Street The atre. His name was quickly removed from the marquee and the Broadway Playbill programs with his name were trashed. They are collector's items now. I have one, since I caught this very funny and unique show in De cem ber and hung out backstage with Ruby, Paul and Woodie. The show is now closed The Michael Harris scandal story; the rise and fall of a new Black entre preneur, perhaps may be more inter esting and heartbreaking than "a sack full of Wall Street, Hollywood movies" of the play he "bankrolled" to become one of Broadway youngest and new est producers. The playwright, Ron Milner, might consider changing one of his charac ters in the play to mirror and chronicle this ever-so-young and Black tragic figure, whc went for "the American • Low Down Payments • Long-Term Financing Available • Work Equity Available Contact the DVA Office below to view the properties and to obtain bidding packet. Minimum bid amounts are shown. PORTLAND $40,550.00 6212 N. Commercial. Elegant older home in quiet neighborhood with tree lined streets. 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High ceilings, new roof and nice large rooms ready to be occupiedl THE DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ALL OFFERS We sell all properties "AS IS" without warranty (May contain code violations) Bids Must Be Received By 5 p.m. 2/5/89 Bids Will Be Opened At 9 a.m. 2/6/89 PORTLAND OFFICE 10011 S.E. DIVISION SUITE 201 PORTLAND, OREGON 97266 CALL 257-4320 i V * . / ' ‘5*’ is also a nine Universal year, “ a pay off tim e” of self introspection of the wise and intense, to re-evaluate, like “the Michael Harrises of our world,” in our struggle to survive and achieve happiness in today world. Write on and good luck, Michael. recently closed on Broadway Super Bowl Special 1-22-89 Super Bowl Special 1-22-89 Chuck Hinton's Rib Express O ur S p e c ia lty Real Hickory Smoked B a r-B -Q u e Pounds Includes Sauce Half Pound Pound Beef Brisket $4.00 $7.75 Ham $3.50 $6.25 Rack of Pork Ribs $12.00 Beef Ribs Each $1.35 Beef Ribs Side of 7 $8.00 3328 N.E. Killingsworth * 288*3836 D air Etegance ‘D esigners 603 N.E. Killingsworth • Portland A fter - H olidays S pecials ! ONLYI Special Feeling SPECIAL Reg. 45.00 $37.00 2 for 1 Special on Wave Nouveau $80 incl. conditioning & trim Relaxers $30 incl. conditioning Specials start Jan. 10 through the End of Feb. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Experienced Operators and Hairstylists Wanted. Must have at least 1 year of shop experience with clientelle following. For apointment please call Sabrina at: 284-2374 between 9:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday > t A».« ft JR? Dream,” only to find “ Paradise Lost." The least we writers can do is to tell the story for the public to understand. Write on and “Gung Hay Fat Choy,” which is Happy New Year in Chinese. It is the Chinese year of the Snake. It : •