Fate intervened with 'Figaro'

Cinnabar director sought a cast for one play, but the cast of 'Figaro' showed up instead

March 23, 2005

By MARY SOUTHALL
FOR THE ARGUS-COURIER

Cinnabar Theater Artistic Director Elly Lichenstein remembers calling for auditions for an opera based on John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men." But fate intervened: The people who turned up to audition were, to her eyes, unsuited to the Steinbeck vehicle but the perfect cast for "The Marriage of Figaro."

The savvy Lichenstein decided not to fight fate. Cinnabar opens "The Marriage of Figaro" Friday, March 25, with a pre-show gala beginning at 7 p.m.

Sung in English, the opera tells the story of Figaro, personal valet to the powerful Count Almaviva. While Figaro awaits his nuptials with the beautiful Susanna, the Count plans his own night of bliss with the bride. Misunderstandings and mistaken identities occur with comic frequency until all the hilarious twists are resolved.

"Figaro" was written in 1781 by famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose music was composed for smaller, more intimate chamber concert venues. That's one reason why Lichenstein says "'Figaro' fits wonderfully in our space. The actors can concentrate on singing beautifully, developing their characters, and playing the broad comedy, without having to worry about straining their lungs to fill a big hall with sound. None of the intricacies of the story is lost, which is what happens when this opera is produced on a big stage."

Lichenstein says the opera's main theme -- the abuse of power -- was revolutionary for its time. Napoleon Bonaparte was quoted as saying "Figaro" was the basis of the French Revolution. The opera also has strong themes of feminism, Lichenstein states: "This play says a man in power cannot treat his wife badly." These bold themes may have been the reason that three years passed between the opera's creation and its production.

Jason Sarten of San Francisco, a recent transplant from Texas, plays Figaro. Shawnette Sulker, also of San Francisco, plays his fiancee, Susanna. Petalumans in the cast include James Pfeiffer as Antonio and chorus members Jared Emerson-Johnson, Sue Zalkaske and Katie Haas. Lichenstein is stage director; Nina Shuman is music director, and Sharlyn Klein is production manager.

Performances are at 8 p.m. March 25, 26, April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16; at 2 p.m. April 10 and at 7:30 p.m. April 13. Dessert and wine tasting will be offered closing night, April 16, beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the pre-show gala and closing night festivities are $40 general, $38 seniors and students. The pre-show gala includes hors d'oeuvres and wine sponsored by Bella Luma Café.

Tickets for all other performances are $30 general, $28 for seniors and students.

Lichenstein hasn't completely abandoned her plan to produce an operatic version of "Of Mice and Men." But she'll have to wait until a hefty dramatic tenor turns up to audition for the part of "Lenny."

For more information,

call 763-8920, or visit www.cinnabartheater.org.

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

What: Cinnabar Theater's production of the comic opera "The Marriage of Figaro," written in 1781 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

When: March 25-26, April 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 at 8 p.m.; April 10 at 2 p.m.; April 13 at 7:30 p.m. Pre-show gala opening night March 25 starting at 7 p.m. Dessert and wine tasting closing night beginning at 7 p.m. April 16.

Where: Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North.

Tickets: $30 general, $28 seniors and students. Pre-show gala and closing night festivities are $40 general, $38 seniors and students.

Information: Call 763-8920 or visit www.cinnabartheater.org.