Trilogy


A performance by graduating students of the Vienna Musical School. They performed excerpts from "Oklahoma!", "The Rocky Horror Show", and "RENT".

The students did everything themselves, as far as I could make out from the programme. Quite interesting. Costumes and make-up were very good, I wasn't overly impressed by lighting, but the staging, backdrops, and props were very well done. For "Oklahoma!" and "Rocky Horror", Gordon Bovinet (who was in the original Viennese cast of CATS) served as musical director, the introduction was done by Dennis Kozeluh, who is supposedly well known as a musical star. I'd never seen him, but then I hadn't watched "Mozart!" either ;D.

I may now safely say that "Oklahoma!" isn't my kind of musical. The numbers were a tad boring, but that wasn't the performers' fault. Laurey (Mirjam Hofer) had a lovely voice, though she was hoarse; Curly (Christian Burkhardt) was good, nice singing voice, but I was most impressed with Ado Annie (Ruth Knall) -- she was funny, had a solid stage presence, and brought the character across. Aunt Eller (Andrea Girsch) and Ma (Monika Laschober) were good, as was Will Parker (Stefan Ulreich), the rest of the main cast didn't impress me too much, though the "ensemble" was very good. The musical numbers performed were:
- Oh what a beautiful mornin'
- Surrey with a fringe on the top
- Everything's up-to-date in Kansas City - I'm just a girl who cain't say no (Ado Annnie, excellent work on the accent!)
- Many a new day
- Farmer and the cowman -- Territory Folks<
- Let people say we're in love
- Oklahoma!

The "Rocky Horror Show" was nice, since there were no die-hard fans throwing rice and toilet paper. Makes a huge difference, at least for me ;D. The usherettes (Cornelia Bös, Cordula Feuchtner, Maria Nöbauer, Klarissa Sandhu, and Gudrun Zimmermann) were very good (they sang 'Science Fiction'), as was the ensemble. Frank'n'Furter came across as Dracula as he appeared (had me giggling), then he threw off his cloak and I almost died laughing. Marco Stahel did a fair job, though I'm afraid the accent he adopted for his singing made it seem he was lisping and he was more ridiculous than anything else. Nice hip-swinging though. Very nice, in fact ;D.
Brad (Matthias Beurer) was cute, nice voice, though not remarkable, but Janet (Maja Pihler) plain rocked. I was more than a little impressed. Same goes for Rocky (Manuel Stoff), who, in his red glittery hotpants, was most convincing in terms of mimic, you could see he was in tune with the character and enjoyed playing -- first innocent, then raunchy, very good dancer and excellent singer. Oh, and strong too, since he spun round Janet for a good while, holding her in his arms. No stumbling ;D. Riff Raff (Stefan Ulreich) was extremely convincing, brilliant acting and singing. Columbia (Monika Michel) did a fantastic interpretation, both she and Magenta (Martina Balogh) were show-stoppers -- sexy, sassy, fabulous acting and gorgeous singing. Numbers performed were, with excellent staging:
- Science Fiction, Double Feature
- Over at the Frankenstein Place (Brad & Jaanet came through the auditorium with a flashlight)
- The Time Warp (fantastic rendition; wouldd love a video clip of that)
- Sweet Transvestite
- The Sword of Damocles (Rocky! *faints*) - Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch me (Janeet!)
- Floor Show
- Science Fiction, Double Feature (reprise))

And then there was "RENT", the main reason why I'd come to see the show. Actually, before seeing the "Rocky Horror" bit, the only reason ;D. The narrator was supposed to cut in and help out, but the way they brought him in was sure to confuse anyone who didn't know the musical beforehand.
However, since it was Pehton D. Quirante (*squeal*), who performed in the original German cast of RENT, as Angel... I saw him as Woolf in "Hair" a while ago in Vienna, it was grand to have him up this close, and I can now confirm he has a fantastic stage presence. He was fun, engaging, and he speaks both English and German almost without an accent, for all that he prefers English ;D. The songs were performed in German (all the others had been sung in English), though the translation varied slightly at times from the original German production.
I fell in love with Roger (Manuel Stoff). The transition from Rocky to Roger was amazing. His performance of 'Glory'... *god* He put so much emotion into the song, so much fire, perfect modulation, and the way he handled his guitar, worshipfully and wistfully at the same time... I'd cast him in the role straight-away. Mimi (Nicole Singer) was very good in "Light my candle", flirty, sensual, beguiling. The interaction between her and Roger was fantastic, there was tension there, palpably so, a sexual and a romantic element. Just the way I had always thought the song should be performed.
Mark (Matthias Beurer) wasn't convincing for me. He has a lovely voice, but he doesn't seem to know how to use it to maximum effect yet and his mimic wasn't overwhelming in my opinion. Angel (Stefan Ulreich) was energetic, very flexible dancer, great stamina, but in terms of voice this didn't seem to be his role. Maureen (Maja Pihler) was a total show-stopper -- whether as Janet or Maureen, the girl's got the act down pat. Her rendition of "Over the moon" couldn't have been done better. Again, someone I'd cast immediately. She worked the audience, made them moo, had great intonation, never missed a beat, and brought across the drama queen act fantastically. Her duet with Joanne ("Take me or leave me") was wonderfully performed on her part, Joanne was good, but not very expressive in my view. Musical numbers were:
- Rent
- One Song Glory (I want a video tape!)
> - Light my candle (*melted*)
- Over the moon (Maureen rocks! Want a videeo!)
- Take me or leave me
- Today 4 You
- Halloween
- Seasons B/Contact (excellent dancing on tthe part of the ensemble, sizzling)
- Seasons of Love

All in all, I was most impressed by the vocals, a lot of talent there. I would love to see some of these performers on the stage, and I'm more than ever hoping for "RENT" to come to Vienna. We need good musicals! One thing I'm pretty sure of though, was that I was the only one not in any way related to one of the cast members. Kinda strange. The theatre wasn't full either, for all that it was small and that there were only two performances of the "Trilogy" given. There were three encores: the Time Warp, and two additional Oklahoma!s. Lots of clapping and well merited applause.

Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to me at ferngully_at@yahoo.com.