The show will go on … outside

By Mary Alice Blackwell

Published: April 3, 2008, The Daily Progress

Let's put the rumors to rest.

Ash Lawn Opera will be at Ash Lawn
... at least this year.

Beginning July 5, the 2008 summer season will feature “My Fair Lady” and “Carmen” in James Monroe's Boxwood Gardens .

There has been a buzz in and around town that the long-standing outdoor festival was considering a move indoors — some even speculated to the Paramount Theater.

Don't get me wrong. I love the Paramount . It is Charlottesville 's crown jewel of entertaining venues.

But Ash Lawn — well, it's special in its own way.

For 30 years fans have had the privilege of picnicking in the back yard of one of our country's Founding Fathers. We could sip wine, or a non-alcoholic beverage of choice, sit back on a summer eve and listen to some of the best operatic voices in the country.

I like it. Even the chime of the occasional peacock adds to the uniqueness of the Ash Lawn experience.

True, it's a little warm in Charlottesville in the summer, but every year audience members are reminded to bring sweaters as the air cools as the sun goes down. It's the actors who must contend with hot lights, heavy period costumes and occasional peacock solos. But, that doesn't stop the singers from coming to town, some for repeated seasons.

This year Katherine Altobello and Peter Clark are returning to star as Eliza Doolittle and 'enry 'iggins.

“Katherine Altobello was here last year in ‘The Sound of Music,' ” said Mary-Kate Brissett, Ash Lawn's assistant to the general director.

Altobello, who played Leisl last summer, has performed with the likes of Wildwood Opera. Clark, who is a 2005 veteran, has sung with the New York Opera and American Opera Company.

“We get great responses from people who have been here,” Brissett said. “Apparently they love it.”

Melina Pineda, who sang in “West Side Story” in 2006, returns for the title role in “Carmen.” Her credits include performances with Chicago Opera Theatre, Boston Lyric Opera and Florida Grand Opera.

“I also think they like the fact that we are unmiked,” Brissett said. “It's a very kind of intimate space even though its outdoors. All our performers prefer that kind of thing. It makes a good balance to the larger opera houses.”

Joining the cast of principal stars are Christian Reinert, Timothy Kuhn and Rochelle Bard.

“The principal singers are all professionals,” Brissett said. “The secondary parts are apprenticed positions [14 this season], which are usually singers at the beginning of their careers, and the ensemble and any children's parts are played by community people.”

If you would like to take a more active role in this summer of fun, auditions are April 22 to 24. (Call 293-4500 for details.)

As for me, I will be perfectly content with my picnic basket and Cab Franc.
See you outside.