NHK Symphony with Felicity Lott
18 October 2009
NHK Hall
The program was conducted by an aging and frail Andre Previn. He opened with a short piece by Wolfgang Rihm "Ernster Gesang". Rhapsodic and wandering, it was one of those pieces I'd like to hear again. A nice opening but the good part was to come - Felicity Lott singing the final scene from Strauss' "Capriccio".
It began with the beautiful "Moonlight Music" and transitioned into the final monologue of the countess. I've heard it many times, and I was very pleased by Miss Lott's interpretation - understated, elegant, seamless, yet passionately felt. She was aided by the fluid playing of the orchestra and Maestro Previn's steady hand.
The second half of the program was devoted to Strauss' "Symphonia Domestica" - not his finest work. Although there are parts of great beauty, it does tend to wander, and Previn's age and lack of strength - he was seated as he conducted - made it into something ultimately boring. Too bad.
Little Shop of Horrors
Tokyo International Players’ recent run of “Little Shop of Horrors” offered a well-spent couple of hours in the theater. Directed by Jonah/Jonathon Hagans, the production offered clever staging, excellent casting, and interesting twists.
Seymour, performed by Jeremy Trigsted, was expertly nerdy while Audrey, performed by Caitlin Kelly, was terrifically trashy and clueless. Kelly’s singing was one of the highlights of the performance. The trio, this time including a male Ronnie, was hilarious and skilled, while the sadistic dentist (who wielded an alarming drill) was expertly portrayed by Justin Berti, whose dancing and mugging nearly stole the show.
The various mutations of the monster plant, Audrey II, were brilliantly designed and executed by artist Ixchel Aguilar who also designed the clever set. The invisible manipulator of the plant, Francis Sommerville, is to be commended and Audrey II’s voice, performed by Phil McQueen, was outstanding.
The director had a number of clever ideas included a female Mr. Mushnik. The use of shadow puppets during two of the more maudlin numbers was very witty, and in all I was thoroughly entertained.
If memory serves, in the film Audrey II is eventually destroyed (American films must end happily) but in this instance all of the principals eventually fall prey to the plant who then is poised to take over the world. This is a much more satisfactory resolution, to my way of thinking.
