**** Highly Recommended I loved The Matchbox Magic Flute! Although I’m not an opera fan, I am a Mary Zimmerman fan, so I knew this show would be an experience I didn’t want to miss. Obviously, I had very high expectations! I’m happy to say that The Matchbox Magic Flute definitely surpassed those expectations! Mozart’s music, the voices, the costumes, the ambiance – everything was just about perfect. 4 Spotlights
I’ve enjoyed productions of The Magic Flute over the years, but this fantastical production is a gem! Mary Zimmerman brought her creativity to Mozart’s singspiel, a form containing sung and spoken passages. Her production has a cast of 10 (Mozart’s opera has 22 plus extras) and a 5-piece orchestra (rather than the 17 specified by Mozart). I recognized a few of her signature touches that I’d seen in The Jungle Book and The Steadfast Tin Soldier – using puppets and involving the band in the story, for example. I was enchanted from the beginning.
The Matchbox Magic Flute opens with The Spirit (Reese Parish) and three woodland ladies (Lauren Molina, Monica West and Tina Muńoz), all wearing green, vaguely leafy dresses, dancing in the forest. When Prince Tamino (Billy Rude), pursued by a dragon, runs through the forest, the ladies beat down the dragon, rescuing the prince who has fainted.
Papageno (Shawn Pfautsch), a man dressed as a bird, who complains because he doesn’t have a wife or friends, finds the unconscious prince. When he wakes up, he sees the dead dragon and thanks Papageno for saving him. As Papageno starts bragging about his prowess, the ladies reappear and padlock his mouth so he can’t lie. They give the prince a picture of Princess Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night, and he immediately falls in love.
The ladies inform the prince that Pamina has been captured by Sarastro (Keanon Kyles), who they describe as mean and evil. The Queen of the Night (Emily Rohm) appears and promises the prince that Pamina will be his if he rescues her. After removing the padlock from Papageno’s mouth, the ladies give the prince a magic flute that can change sorrow into joy – which he flourishes like it’s a sword. Telling Papageno to go with the prince, they give him a magic bell for protection.
Meanwhile, at Sarastro’s palace, Princess Pamina (Marlene Fernandez) is trying to escape but Monostatos (Russell Mernagh) orders her to be chained up. When Prince Tamino and Papageno pop into the palace, Monostatos and Papageno scare each other into running, leaving the prince and princess alone.
All that’s in Act I. In Act II, the prince and princess learn that Sarastro is actually a good man who invites them to join his court, refusing to return her to the Queen of the Night.
The Matchbox Magic Flute was adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman. The music was adapted and arranged by Amanda Dehnert (Music Direction) and Andre Pluess (Sound Design).
A big call-out to Ana Kuzmanić for the colorful, evocative costumes which included a prince, a princess, a queen and a king as well as a spirit, woodland ladies, a half-bird man, a bird lady, a dragon, and other animals of the forest. Another call-out to Todd Rosenthal for the frequently changing forest with lots of rolling trees. Revolving panels in the backdrop changed the forest to a ballroom and back.
Members of the orchestra are also in costume, because they’re part of the performance, going up on stage whenever they’re needed
Orchestra: Dalia Chin (Flute), Dave Belden (Violin), Tahirah Whittington (Cello), Paul Mutzabaugh (Conductor/Piano/Guitar), Bob Garrett (Percussion)
____________________________________________________________________
The Matchbox Magic Flute runs through March 24th in the Goodman Theatre’s Owen Theatre,170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Most reasonable parking option for the Goodman is the Government Center garage on Lake between LaSalle and Dearborn, online advance payment at www.interparkonline.com/goodmantheatre.
Recommended for ages 8 & up. Running time is approximately 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm; Thursdays & Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm. Ticket range - $25-$90. FYI (312) 443-3800 or www.goodmantheatre.org/show/the-magic-flute/