Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Opera Theatre of the Rockies’ dress rehearsal of the Barber of Seville. It was a special evening showing for students in the Colorado Springs area, with probably 80% of the crowd under the age of 18. I was skeptical at first, with the crowd’s incessant “shhhhhhushing,” but as soon as the curtain went up, a quiet gasp rolled through the audience. The set was intricate and captivating. With the first few lines, the audience was giggling (thank goodness for the translation box above the stage).
The Barber of Seville is a comedy, with Figaro the barber providing several hilarious one-liners and antics. Personally, I found him incredibly charming and totally dateable; even his striped jacket proved his impeccable fashion sense. Quirkiness is totally my style.
The rest of the cast was superb. The energy and comedic timing lead me to believe that these actors have been working together their entire lives. Even the stage hands were costumed and became part of the plot, something I hadn’t seen before but really enjoyed.
Toward the end of the first act, the crowd started getting a little restless, so I think intermission came not a moment too soon. As soon as we returned to our seats however, the audience was ready for the show to continue.
Overall, it was an excellent production. Talented performers, adorable costumes and overwhelming music made the night a great success. I certainly hope anyone reading this gets the chance to see the Barber of Seville this weekend!
I would like to give special thanks to Susanne Wheeler for allowing me to attend what became the greatest night of my week!
