Review: The Merry Widow"No Weak Links in Merry Widow"Courier Post (Robert Baxter) The Merry Widow waltzed into Princeton scattering Franz Lehar's lilting melodies in the air and winning generous applause from the audience in McCarter's Berlind Theatre. The traditional production proved to be as keenly staged as it was deftly sung. Marc Verzatt fills the stage with lively movement. This is a physical production with capering can-can girls, swirling dancers and eager young singers savoring all the fun in Lehar's operetta. Conductor Steven Mosteller brings a firm but pliant hand to the music. The waltzes sound beguiling, and the big ensemble numbers explode with vital energy under his baton. The Merry Widow launched Lehar's career more than a century ago. The operetta's charm remains intact. Hanna Glawari arrives in Paris the toast of the town. Looking for a husband, the wealthy widow is besieged by suitors the moment she steps into the Pontevedrian embassy. Hanna discovers an old flame. Her wedding to Count Danilo was thwarted by his noble family because she was a commoner. It takes three acts before Hanna and Danilo sink in each other's arms and waltz into marriage. Jennifer Aylmer and Brian Jagde make an attractive couple. Neither has a memorable voice, but both sing well and suggest the glamour of their characters. Aylmer's soprano tends to sound steely in the high climaxes—her voice does not float through the "Vilja" song—but it sounds firm and attractive in mid range. Jagde makes an attractive Danilo. He leaves little mark on "I'm Off to Chez Maxim's" but his voice blends nicely with Aylmer's in their duets. Lee Mayman's sturdy sets suggest the Parisian settings—the embassy, Hanna's garden and Maxim's—without making much of a visual statement. Patricia A. Hibbert's costumes catch the operetta's flavor even if they suggest no particular time. The big cast has no weak links. Alison Trainer (Valencienne) and Benjamin Bunsold (Camille) are effective as the flirtatious wife and the Frenchman who pursues her. Jason Plourde brings an appealing stage presence to Valencienne's husband, Baron Zeta. As the embassy secretary, Corey Trahan gives a capital performance. He performs Njegus' third act song with spirit, capping his performance with a handstand. Return to the Reviews and Articles Archive.
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