.jpg)
Opera House gives us taste of Big Apple
by Rick Mauch
(Posted 11/30/2009 03:55 pm)
Although I've made numerous trips to New York, one of my goals in life is to make it there during the holiday season.
In the meantime, the Granbury Opera House has brought a little bit of the Big Apple to us with it's annual Christmas show.
“Christmas In New York” highlights some of the most famous holiday places in one of the world's most exhilarating cities.
Well, the first act does. The second act more closely resembles an evening celebrating the birth of Jesus at a local church program (also something special and dear to just about all of us, and usually free—except for the collection plate).
There is no story, per se, to “Christmas In New York.” But no story is really needed.
In years past all the story basically did was serve as a bridge from one song to another. This year's version goes from song to song with a simple verbal transition in between, usually something descriptive about New York (except in the second act).
Actually, though, no such transition was needed and sometimes even gets in the way. Let's not kid ourselves, we came to see this show because of the music and the dancing, and in both areas the show succeeds.
The show is directed by Sam DiRosa and stars Kelly Swartz, who also choreographed the often magnificent dances (especially those featuring herself), along with Michael Reyna, Kristin Alvis, Paul Saylor, Ryan Hunt and Sara Schoch. Hunt is making his Texas debut with this show.
The dancing is, for the most part, exquisite. Swartz is pure elegance as she takes us through an imaginary evening on ice, skating (dancing) her way around the rink at Rockefeller Center.
A dance sequence set to Brian Setzer's (Stray Cats) version of “Nutcracker Suite” features the magical toy world of F.A.O. Schwartz. Having been to New York with children, it is a place to get completely lost in for an hour or a day, a place where the cares of the world completely disappear as we all return to the innocence of childhood.
The set pieces are very cool as they change from one scene to another, featuring holiday landmarks. The most notable is the store front of legendary department store Macy's, in which the actors themselves pose as mannequins.
The flow of the show is interrupted frequently as too much time is taken in between scenes. Often the audience is watching a curtain with music in the background while waiting for the next scene to begin.
The show is really two plays in one, which has been the case with the Opera House holiday show for years, so it should come as no surprise to regular visitors. The first act is more fun and frolic, while the second act settles in with a more somber tone, inviting us to remember the bottom line meaning to Christmas.
But whether it's belting out “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” or crooning “Silent Night,” the show is two hours highlighting the joy of the holiday season.
And while there is still shopping to be done, travel arrangements to be made, office parties to attend, isn't it nice to know that there is an escape to the essence of Christmas nearby?
Christmas In New York
Where: Granbury Opera House
When: Now through Dec. 20
Showtimes: Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m; Thursday-Sunday matinees, 2:30 p.m.
Contact: 817-573-9191 or www.granburyoperahouse.org.
by Rick Mauch
(Posted 11/30/2009 03:55 pm)
Although I've made numerous trips to New York, one of my goals in life is to make it there during the holiday season.
In the meantime, the Granbury Opera House has brought a little bit of the Big Apple to us with it's annual Christmas show.
“Christmas In New York” highlights some of the most famous holiday places in one of the world's most exhilarating cities.
Well, the first act does. The second act more closely resembles an evening celebrating the birth of Jesus at a local church program (also something special and dear to just about all of us, and usually free—except for the collection plate).
There is no story, per se, to “Christmas In New York.” But no story is really needed.
In years past all the story basically did was serve as a bridge from one song to another. This year's version goes from song to song with a simple verbal transition in between, usually something descriptive about New York (except in the second act).
Actually, though, no such transition was needed and sometimes even gets in the way. Let's not kid ourselves, we came to see this show because of the music and the dancing, and in both areas the show succeeds.
The show is directed by Sam DiRosa and stars Kelly Swartz, who also choreographed the often magnificent dances (especially those featuring herself), along with Michael Reyna, Kristin Alvis, Paul Saylor, Ryan Hunt and Sara Schoch. Hunt is making his Texas debut with this show.
The dancing is, for the most part, exquisite. Swartz is pure elegance as she takes us through an imaginary evening on ice, skating (dancing) her way around the rink at Rockefeller Center.
A dance sequence set to Brian Setzer's (Stray Cats) version of “Nutcracker Suite” features the magical toy world of F.A.O. Schwartz. Having been to New York with children, it is a place to get completely lost in for an hour or a day, a place where the cares of the world completely disappear as we all return to the innocence of childhood.
The set pieces are very cool as they change from one scene to another, featuring holiday landmarks. The most notable is the store front of legendary department store Macy's, in which the actors themselves pose as mannequins.
The flow of the show is interrupted frequently as too much time is taken in between scenes. Often the audience is watching a curtain with music in the background while waiting for the next scene to begin.
The show is really two plays in one, which has been the case with the Opera House holiday show for years, so it should come as no surprise to regular visitors. The first act is more fun and frolic, while the second act settles in with a more somber tone, inviting us to remember the bottom line meaning to Christmas.
But whether it's belting out “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” or crooning “Silent Night,” the show is two hours highlighting the joy of the holiday season.
And while there is still shopping to be done, travel arrangements to be made, office parties to attend, isn't it nice to know that there is an escape to the essence of Christmas nearby?
Christmas In New York
Where: Granbury Opera House
When: Now through Dec. 20
Showtimes: Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m; Thursday-Sunday matinees, 2:30 p.m.
Contact: 817-573-9191 or www.granburyoperahouse.org.
