This review is from Larry Wagner, itinerant theatre critic and frequent contributor.
Talent just continues to show up on the Mendocino Coast. I had the pure enjoyment of taking publicity photos for the opera double-bill The Medium by Gion Menotti and Jewish Humor from Oy to Veh by Seymour Barab. I saw both the first dress rehearsal and opening night at MTC.
The Medium is a gripping story of Madam Flora whose séance fraud becomes a reality when ghostly hands grab her by the throat during one of her sessions. She doesn’t cope with this incident very well. The singing and acting of the cast is wonderful – Susan Makovkin, playing the possessed Madam Flora, is riveting. Abigail Rowland, a new star in the area, has an angelic voice as the daughter, Monica. Lisa Norman, playing the mute gypsy accomplice has no singing role (obviously), but her dancing and dramatic moves make her one of the stars. The three attendees at the séance, Jenni Windsor, Dan Fowler, and Betsy Taylor carry out their roles with aplomb. The Medium is a modern opera, different from the big stage variety, but it is enthralling, beautifully sung, and under an hour long.
Jewish Humor from Oy to Vey is silly, but entertaining – an excellent antidote for the drama of The Medium. It consists of 15 very short acts that are both hilarious and fun to watch. The music reminds one of Fiddler on the Roof. The voices and acting of Richard Goodman, Jary Stavely, Sarah Wagner, and Susan Pennebaker carry it off quite well. The challenges of the timing are significant but they meet the challenge.
For a different and memorable evening, give it a whirl. It is playing tonight (Saturday, May 10) at 8, Sunday at 2 PM and the following Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17 at 8 PM at the Mendocino Theatre Company. For reservations, call 937-1018 or get tickets at the door.
