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Political Satire Kicks Off Ovation Society Season By JENNIFER L. BURLENSKI
The Juilliard Ovation Society inaugurated its seventh season on October 28 with an entertaining and engaging performance of Laurence Maslon's Mr. Gershwin Goes to Washington, led by Juilliard faculty member, pianist, and raconteur Steven Blier. One hundred and sixty-five Ovation Society members and special guests gathered in Paul Hall for this extraordinary evening of musical comedy and political satire.
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| (Left to right) President Joseph W. Polisi and Mary Rodgers Guettel, honorary chairman of the Ovation Society, speak with cast members Jacob Fishel, Evan Rogister, Amy Buckley, Steven Blier, and Leena Chopra. (Photo by Tanya Tribble) |
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Juilliard's production of Mr. Gershwin Goes to Washington was staged exclusively for members of the Juilliard Ovation Society. Blier accompanied and directed five Juilliard actors and singers and a chorus of four in a spirited performance of this mini-operetta, which combines excerpts from Gershwin's Strike Up the Band, Of Thee I Sing, and Let 'Em Eat Cake in a narrative of a contentious presidential election.Fourth-year drama student David Townsend provided the narrative as the serious and wry anchorman. Townsend reported on the campaign of the charming candidate John P. Wintergreen (baritone Evan Rogister), ever the dope and just trying to keep up a good front, who ran on the platform of "love" with his determined bride, Mary Turner (soprano Amy Buckley), by his side. Turner had won Wintergreen's affection because, while "Some Girls Can Bake a Pie," she can really bake corn muffins—unlike the beautiful Diana Devereaux, (soprano Leena Chopra), who is rejected by Wintergreen and demands justice for being "Jilted."
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| (Left to right) Ovation Society members Ann and Paul Brandow pose with Elizabeth Polisi. (Photo by Tanya Tribble) |
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The gifted actor Jacob Fishel played a cast of presidential hopefuls, wannabes, and dissidents who brought humanity and laugh-out-loud comedy to the performance. In the fast-paced costume changes, Fishel transformed from presidential challenger Horace J. Fletcher—a war-mongering, egotistical, "Self-Made American"—to the timid and baffled vice-presidential candidate Alexander P. Throttlebottom, and from the feeble and somber Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to Comrade Kruger, an anarchist filmmaker who is "Down With Everything That's Up." And finally, he played the very French representative of France who comes to the aid of poor Miss Devereaux, "The Illegitimate Daughter" of a relative of Napoleon, of course. Mr. Gershwin Goes to Washington is a celebration of the Gershwin brothers' three political satires, interweaving the characters and situations from all three plays to create an extraordinarily lively and timely presentation. Juilliard's production was a unique opportunity not just for the guests, but also for the students. It is not often that Juilliard actors and singers collaborate on projects. Under Blier's incomparable direction, the students complemented each other so well that it was difficult to distinguish between the vocal and the drama students. The roles challenged each cast member to master acting and singing—a great achievement for them and a wonderful enjoyment for all.
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| Fourth-year drama student Jacob Fishel enjoying a laugh with Charlene Marshall, co-chair of the Juilliard Council. (Photo by Tanya Tribble) |
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With the fall season deeply entrenched in election spin, it was rewarding to enjoy a good laugh about the political process. And in the end, we all couldn't help but believe that "Posterity Is Just Around the Corner."Mr. Gershwin Goes to Washington launched a season-long series of theater, dance, opera, jazz, and classical music presentations designed exclusively for members of the Juilliard Ovation Society. These events provide performing arts enthusiasts with opportunities to meet celebrated artists and learn firsthand about the artistic development of Juilliard's students. Other membership privileges include invitations to master classes and a personalized telephone ticketing service for prime seating at Juilliard performances. Membership contributions support a wide range of activities at Juilliard, including scholarships, performances, outreach programs, and newly commissioned works. The generosity of Ovation Society members helps The Juilliard School remain at the forefront of performing arts education. For more information, please contact the Office of Development and Public Affairs at (212) 799-5000, ext. 278, or visit www.juilliard.edu/giving/membership.html.Jennifer L. Burlenski is the director of membership programs.
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