Dolly in Nice
Dolly in Nice
The classic musical diva from New York
makes a grand entrance
at the Nice Opera.
Dolly – Finale
Review by Torkil Baden, Nice, Nov. 6th 2016
Hello Dolly !
Songs, text and music by Jerry Herman (1964)
Book by Michael Stewart
Opéra de Nice November 6th 2016
NICE/FRANCE: The good and varied music and the strong and witty personalities have given her everlasting life. This time the direction and fabulously outfitted cast in Nice justified a revival.
The one and only performance at the Nice opera was not a part of the regular repertory. Every fall the municipality initiates a more popular “Festival d’Opérette” presented by a music society promoting young talents, «Association Contre-Ut» (meaning «top c» !).
Nostalgic
Veteran composer Herman has just celebrated 85 active years with 15 musicals. Photo: Broadwayworld.com
Since 1964 “Dolly” has been one of the most popular musicals around the world, probably because of its nostalgic musical style with the title song as a good example. Composer and writer Jerry Herman made another triumph with the same musical style in “La Cage aux Folles” some years later. He just passed 85 years, and his merit list includes no less than 15 musicals.
From Broadway there are recent news that “Hello Dolly!” will hit the stage in the spring starring no other than Bette Midler
. The tickets sales are already going bananas.
French
Director and choreographer for this production was Belgian Serge Manguette
. This all-French version has also local elements in the dance numbers, including can-can and full of vitality. For a non-French the extensive dialogues are not easy to follow, but the packed auditorium (1100 seats) obviously enjoyed them.
Laurence Janot in the fabulously outfitted title role. Photo: Laurence Janot Facebook.
Laurence Janot is a veteran on the Nice stage in operettas and musicals
qualify for the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. At present,• ED in patient with cardiovascular disease, should be generic viagra online.
. She is charming and cunning as the match-maker Dolly who gets the rich widower on the hook.
Though her beautiful soprano does not have the same soft seducing character as her physical acting.
Her big number with the masterpiece of a title song being when she is received by her fans was indeed a memorable moment.
The cast around her with three boys and girls ending up as expected in each others arms was impeccable in singing and dancing, including the resident opera chorus.
Live
It is a treat to have the orchestra pit crowded with live musicians instead of synthesizers. I counted 26 orchestral chairs as in the original Broadway production, but musical director Bruno Membrey put more energy into the hard hitting rhytms than into the possibilities for dynamic variations.
The minimalistic sets came from a theatre in Lyon and the overwhelming and beautiful costumes from a renting company in Bordeaux.
That is also a way of producing a great show.
Melcha Coder is supervising the musical society Contre-Ut and presenting the show. Photo: Laurence Janot Facebook.
Cast:
Dolly Levi: Laurence Janot
Horace Vandergelder: Francois Langlois
and others
.
Direction and choreographie: Serge Manguette
Sets: Theatre d’Operette de Lyon
Costumes; Maison Grout Bordeaux
Ballett Contre-Ut
Opera chorus of Nice
Ochestre d’Harmonie de la Ville de Nice
Ensemble instrumental du Coservatoire de Nice
Everlasting life for Dolly, from Barbara Streisand in the 1969-movie to Bette Midler on Broadway 2017..