"REGINA," Utah Opera, Capitol Theatre, Jan. 17, additional performances through Jan. 25, 355-2787
Marc Blitzstein's "Regina" has never found the critical or popular success it so rightly deserves. Based on Lillian Hellman's play "The Little Foxes," it's a story of unbridled greed and how an all-consuming passion for wealth and position affects and finally destroys a family. This is material that's ready-made for opera, and Blitzstein realized that. And what he did with it was to create a work that captures the heart and soul of the Giddens and Hubbard clans.
Nearly 60 years after its premiere in New York, Utah Opera is finally giving "Regina" its local premiere. With a solid cast of leads and supporting players, and with a fine performance by members of the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera Chorus, under Keith Lockhart, this is a show that should not be missed. Saturday's opening night performance was quite simply ravishing.
The story takes place in 1900 in a small town in Alabama and revolves around Regina Giddens and her brothers Ben and Oscar Hubbard. The three fight among themselves for bargaining position after getting investor William Marshall to put up funds for a cotton mill in their town. The three siblings drag others into their bickering and scheming as well, which eventually kills Regina's husband, Horace, and alienates their daughter, Alexandra, leaving Regina alone and frightened by the end.
Deanne Meek gave a powerhouse performance as Regina. She was utterly convincing as the cold hearted schemer who eventually gets her way. Meek, for whom this is a new role, was vocally stunning. Her portrayal was chilling and at the same time mesmerizing.
Kristopher Irmiter as her husband, Horace, was also in fine form Saturday night. He brought compassion to his character as he attempts to protect Alexandra from her mother and uncles while trying to thwart Regina.
As Alexandra, Sara Gartland was wonderful. Her singing and acting is amazing and she certainly held her own against Irmiter and Meek.
However, Lisa Vroman, as Birdie Hubbard, nearly stole the show. An alcoholic who drinks to escape her dismal existence and her awful marriage to Oscar, Vroman brought feeling and raw emotion to her role. She was absolutely magnificent.
Peter Lindskoog as Oscar and Rod Nelman as Ben also gave stand out performances.
Others in the cast include James Miller as William Marshall and Tracie Luck, who gave a stellar turn as Addie, the Giddens' maid.
The one drawback to Saturday's performance was that most of the dialogue that was spoken over instrumental accompaniment, and some of the singing as well, was drowned out by the orchestra. This, despite the fact that the cast wore mics. Hopefully, this will be corrected for the remaining performances.
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com