Photo attached: Boehler and Thomas
Michigan Opera Theatre is closing its 2014-15 season with Charles Gounod’s ‘Faust’ – an incredibly visual, hilarious and, mostly, dramatic tale. The story vividly explores selling one’s soul and the fight between good and evil.
Faust is the story of a philosopher frustrated with his studies on life and science. He has become old and decides he no longer wants to live. He calls upon the Devil, who answers in the form of Mephistopheles, offering him anything he wants in the world. In return for youth in this world, Faust must agree to be in total submission to the Devil in the world below.
Russell Thomas makes his debut with MOT as the title character. He alternates with David Miller, who plays Faust for one performance, May 17. The American tenor gives a soulful performance as the conflicted character, showcasing the emotional role with every perfectly pitched note.
Caitlin Lynch, a Detroit native, plays Marguerite – she alternates with Sarah Joy Miller, who performs the role for one performance as well. She is able to carry the role with her versatile singing which delightfully floats from rafter to rafter of the Detroit Opera House.
Matt Boehler is amazing as Mephistopheles. He’s funny and charming and wonderfully conniving. You want to hate him because he is the Devil, after all. But his intoxicating performance makes it incredibly hard to do so. His rich baritone would make even the most evil creature gleeful.
Boehler alternates the role with Jamie Offenbach on May 17.
Other standout performances include John Viscardi as Valentin, Zachary Coates as Wagner and Susan Nicely as Martha. All complement the production and help make it into the vocal and visual triumph it is.
The costumes and set design are awe-inspiring, including the supernumeraries, who at one point become statues that come to life. It was one of the most dramatic scenes in which Marguerite’s faith is tested. It is a jaw-dropping scene that is terribly difficult to describe. You truly have to be there to grasp all the wonder and drama this opera, directed by Bernard Uzan and conducted by Steven Mercurio, has to offer.
Remaining showtimes for ‘Faust’ are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17; at at 1526 Broadway in Detroit. Tickets and info available at MichiganOpera.org or call 313-237-7464.
Samantha White is a metro Detroit-based writer. Contact her at Sammie427@gmail.com.
