November

Performed at the Mark Taper, this farce is about a president who thinks he will lose the election and is trying to make enough money for his Library.  Ed Begley Jr. plays the president, Charles Smith, and Felicity Huffman plays his gay speechwriter, Clarice, that he relies on heavily.

The role of Charles was rather silly as he schemes to blackmail the National Association of Turkey Manufacturers by not pardoning the selected turkey unless they contribute heavily to his Library.  Clarice was rather annoying because she is supposed to be sick and her sniffling, coughing and sneezing got on my nerves. 

I hated it, really.  Max felt the same way and he doesn’t think Ed Bagley is a good actor at all.  He puts Ed in the same league as Bill Pullman who he dislkes.

I should have known better.  The screenplay is by David Mamet who I’ve disliked ever since Sophia (the goat).

Opera-The Two Foscari

Today, we left much earlier than usual because Carmegeddon was in full swing.  A portion of the 405 Freeway was shutdown far beyond where we would be traveling, but the closure could increase traffic flow in other areas of L.A. as people use alternative routes.  We got there with no problems, so that allowed us to relax and have dinner at First and Hope at a more leisurely pace. 

This time we ordered a wedge lettuce salad and short rib sliders. I always like the salad, but the sliders were okay.  Not enough filling and it had bean sprouts in it. Yech.

After dinner we went to hear a portion of the lecture by James Conlon, which I didn’t get much out of since we came in the middle as he played bits and pieces of the upcoming Opera.

As we waited for the performance to begin, we see Pau Gosal towering over everyone else as he and his wife go to 2^nd row center, far better seats than ours.  How did that happen? ;-)

During intermission, we observed Pau head outside the lobby area and he was so gracious. So many people wanted to talk to him or have their picture taken with him and he did accommodated everyone with a smile.

Back to the Opera.  Placido Domingo starred in this production that takes place in Venice.  His son, Jacopo is unjustly accused of a crime against the state.  Placido plays his father, the Doge of Venice.  He tries to help his son, but cannot due to his position.  Jacopo’s wife, Lucrezia pleads for mercy with the court and Foscari.  It is particularly heart wrenching because she brings her children who also kneels in court begging for clemency for their father. 

But the court finds Jacopo guilty and exiles him with no chance of seeing his family again.  When the boat departs Venice, he commits suicide because of his despair of leaving his home and family.  It is ironic that when the boat departs, a messenger arrives with evidence that the charges against Jacopo are false. 

Foscari is deeply saddened and there is increased pressure when the Council demands his resignation. Foscari then dies of a broken heart with the loss of his position and his son, Jocopo.  Placido is wonderful in this role and there are so many wonderful arias in this Opera.  This is a new Opera for us that we will see again.

Opera-Don Giovanni

This is a Mozart opera and to us, there wasn't a single aria that soared and captured our hearts.  The songs were entertaining, but not captivating as in Puccini or Verdi operas.  We prefer the Italian Operas.

Don Giovanni is a nobleman cad, master to Leporello, known as nowadays, his "Wingman".

He crosses the line when he attempts to rape Donna Anna and as he tries to get away, winds up killing her father, the Commendatore.

Lessons in morality figure predominantly in this opera.  When we were going to see this Opera, Ron sent me a message saying, "Ah, the Stone Guest".  Giovanni doesn't regret his actions.  When he is hiding in the grave yard he is laughing and bragging about his exploits.  He then hears the voice of the Commendatore who warns him that his laughter will be silenced by the morning.  Cocky, Don Giovanni invites the statue to dinner.  The "Stone Guest" is the grave yard statue of the Commendatore who drags Don Giovanni into hell when he does not repent his sins.

The opera was fairly long, 3 hours.  Max gave it a B-.  I hope Mozart doesn't haunt us.