Better Than Beethoven: Very, Very Good-Not Better
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Rhodes, Bubbico
Photo by Michael Lamont
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
The eager crowd filled every seat at the Secret Rose Theatre for last Friday's performance of Better Than Beethoven, a musical biography depicting the life of Felix Mendelssohn. Although the sets were "bare bones," the variety of costumes worn by the dozen thespians reflect the mid-19th century of both Germany and England where the play takes place. (However, Felix in Converse high-tops is a huge distraction!)
The passage of time is effected nicely as we first see Felix as a young boy, played most adroitly by Sterling Beaumon. He takes the slings and arrows of his anti-Semitic friends with a certain dignity. Abraham, his father (Frank Messina), attempts to resolve that issue by converting his children to Lutheranism so Felix can attend the very finest music school. And, although they go somewhat willingly, it offers Felix the opportunity to sing, "I Kept My Name" when his father adds Bartholdy to his own.
In a most cleverly staged directorial moment by Jules Aaron, both boy Felix and man Felix (Ian Rhodes) sing the ballad, "Why Do They Do It?", a poignant reaction to being the lifelong victim of anti-Semitism. The story continues with the further achievements of Felix, who has gained fame as both a renowned conductor and composer: his flirtation with Elsie Wagner (Aynsley Bubbico), daughter of Richard Wagner (Jeff Griggs); his recurring visits to the Court of Queen Victoria (Tricia Kelly), who belts out one of the best songs in the show, "Victoria's Secrets"; his coping with the death of his sister, Fanny (Rachel Hirschfeld); and his ultimate demise from an asthmatic attack at the apocryphal hands of Wagner.
Along the way of this two-hour paean to Felix, we listen to twenty songs--all of which Jacqueline Bassan, the playwright, wrote to keep the action moving forward. You will not come out of the theater humming any of these tunes, but you will enjoy the wit and cleverness
of the various styles of her musical talent. Listen carefully to "I Hate Bach" and see if it doesn't remind you of Danny Kaye.
For a small-theater production, the voices are terrific. I predict great things for the beautiful Ms. Bubbico and Griggs as her father, Richard. Both stand out as superb actors and singers with magnificent stage presence. Rhodes and Messina entertain beautifully and receive a huge ovation following their songs. Tricia Kelly's two songs - one as a homeless woman ("This Night Was Different") and "Victoria's Secrets" are smashing.
All the other members of the cast pull together to make Ms. Bassan's dialogue and music reach the audience in a most touching and sensitive manner. I especially like her use of metaphors for Jewish survival, as in "I Had a Fine Pearl" and "I Kept My Name".
Aaron's direction is on target. Brian Murphy's trio play with fervor and conviction; but Mr.. Murphy on piano would have been better off-stage when Felix is supposed to be playing, for we can see Murphy's hands gliding over the keyboard, spoiling the fantasy.
Credit Shon LeBlanc with an array of costumes befitting the time and era of the action. How she let Felix wear those sneakers remains a mystery.
While I can offer no critical remarks here (other than those awful sneakers), I do believe Ms. Bassan could have used a few of Mendelssohn's most popular melodies arranged for her clever lyrics. Yes, we hear both Wagner's and Mendelssohn's wedding marches, but there are key melodies from his Scotch or Italian symphonies which classical fans know and revere. Bottom line:
Better Than Beethoven is most tempting fare for any evening and deserves your patronage!
Better Than Beethoven Secret Rose Theatre 11246 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood 91601 (323) 960-7863
Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 2:00 p.m.; Tickets: $25 ; Group Rates: $20 Playing until Sunday, August 12.
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