By Cindy Whitehair
Motley Wandering Minstrels’ The Grand Duke at the Sorensen Unity Center Black Box Theater in Salt Lake City is one of those hidden gems that once you see it you wonder why you didn’t know about it before. This is the first time I have attended one of these performances, although the troupe is in their ninth year of bring fabulous shows to Utah.
The Grand Duke is the final Savoy Opera written by Gilbert & Sullivan. It tells the story of an acting troupe that decides that they are going to take over power from the very unpopular Grand Duke (Jim Dale.) The plan to depose the Grand Duke hinges on a misinterpretation of a 100-year-old law regarding settling duels by card draw, rather than by sword. Ludwig (Merril Brett Flint) leads the rebellion and as a result ends up engaged to four women Lisa (Mary Sorenson), Julia (Alyssa Powers), Baroness von Krankenfeldt (Jennie Jonsson) and the Princess of Monte Carlo (Celeste Porter.) There is also a fair amount of lampooning of the upper classes, as can often be found in a Gilbert & Sullivan production.
This performance is not your typical “musical” production. There is no set and there are minimal costumes. The cast performs from risers – unless they were featured, they sat on chairs and then they would stand front and center on the stage when it was their turn to sing. This is a concert, not a play. Even the musicians (pianist Kary Billings and flutist Jacob Bruner) and the music director/conductor (Donna K.W. Johnson) sing in this production. I got a chuckle listening to the Brunner sing the obligatory “turn off your cell phone” disclaimer at the start of the show.
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Even though this is not a play, per se, there is much acting to be had. The four fiancés get so many opportunities to speak without saying a word. The facial expressions, especially from Powers and Jonsson, are phenomenal. These ladies are hysterical to watch as they react to the others around them. Director Beth Bruner, the passion behind the Minstrels, has a loving and inspired hand with her cast.
What draws you in to this show, however, are the voices. There are many places in this show where the choral wall of sound envelopes you, caresses you, cradles you, and at times blow the doors off the back of the auditorium. One such place was during “Strange the Views Some People Hold” in the first act. There is a layering of notes, rich full chords, and each note is beautifully distinguishable from the others. The majesty of that grabbed my heart and did not let go. The musician in me was in heaven.
This show has a very short run – it opened Thursday night and closes Saturday night. Do yourself a favor and go see this show if you are free. You will not regret it.
The Motley Wandering Minstrels present Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Grand Duke in concert The Sorenson Unity Center Black Box, 1383 S 900 W, Salt Lake City, UT Aug 24-26 7:00-9:30 PM Tickets are FREE Facebook Event
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